Remembering OUR CAMPY.... [Archive]

DODGER DEB

11-19-2007, 06:13 AM

Today, November 19th would have been ROY CAMPANELLA'S 86th birthday. :candle:

WE will always remember CAMPY with great fondness as one of the best catcher's in the game....and so grateful that he was OURS. :nod:

If anyone has a story or rememberance of CAMPY, please share it with US!

c.

penncentralpete

11-19-2007, 06:27 AM

Roy with his teammates

DODGER DEB

11-19-2007, 06:31 AM

This photo was taken at Cooperstown in 1984, the day after PEE WEE and DON were inducted into the HOF.

Thanks for posting it, pete!

c.

penncentralpete

11-19-2007, 06:43 AM

here's a nice Campy litho....

penncentralpete

11-19-2007, 06:47 AM

1953 Bowman card

penncentralpete

11-19-2007, 06:48 AM

1951 Bowman card

penncentralpete

11-19-2007, 06:49 AM

1957 Topps card

penncentralpete

11-19-2007, 06:50 AM

1956 Topps card

penncentralpete

11-19-2007, 06:57 AM

Campy and Sandy

penncentralpete

11-19-2007, 06:58 AM

Campy on Time

penncentralpete

11-19-2007, 06:59 AM

Campy in road uniform

penncentralpete

11-19-2007, 06:59 AM

Campy at Ebbets Field

penncentralpete

11-19-2007, 07:13 AM

Campy and Coke

penncentralpete

11-19-2007, 07:14 AM

Campy and Yogi

MattM

11-19-2007, 10:58 PM

Campy at Ebbets Field

To me, this is one of the saddest images I've ever seen. The once might Ebbets Field, and it's great catcher, no longer what they were.

dodger dynamo

11-20-2007, 09:42 AM

If he hadn't had that accident, he probably would have lived longer and more than likely would have continued in base ball in a much more visible way than he did. he was such a nice guy. battlin bake, the dodger dynamo

MattM

11-20-2007, 07:49 PM

If he hadn't had that accident, he probably would have lived longer and more than likely would have continued in base ball in a much more visible way than he did. he was such a nice guy. battlin bake, the dodger dynamo

I still think he's one of the three greatest catchers ever. People always say Bench, Berra, Cochrane, Dickey, or possibly Fisk. Campanella was 26 when he came to the majors, and that included about a 12 year career in the negro leagues. Rob Neer of ESPN wrote an article in May of 2004, in which he said Campanella was overrated, and didn't hit his last 3 seasons. I have to disagree, as I feel Campy was one of the most complete catchers, in that he was a powerful hitter, and a smart fielder.

I like Yogi Berra, but Yogi was not a good defensive catcher when he came up tot he majors, as has been noted. Great lousy-pitch hitter, but I think Campy was more techically sound behind the plate. Berra also had the fortune of being on the dominant Yankee teams in the 1950s.

dodger dynamo

11-20-2007, 08:00 PM

I agree, you give campy a full career, four years before 48 and at least two or three after the accident and wow! what would his numbers have been?. In my opinion. campy was thee best. now of course I'm a dodger fan, but If you look at it logically, campy put up great numbers in a shortened career. he won the r.o.y award, three mvp's. he caught an outstanding game. how many all stars were on that team and campy still stood out. just great. battlin bake, the dodger dynamo

penncentralpete

11-21-2007, 03:57 AM

I agree, you give campy a full career, four years before 48 and at least two or three after the accident and wow! what would his numbers have been?. In my opinion. campy was thee best. now of course I'm a dodger fan, but If you look at it logically, campy put up great numbers in a shortened career. he won the r.o.y award, three mvp's. he caught an outstanding game. how many all stars were on that team and campy still stood out. just great. battlin bake, the dodger dynamo

i will agree with almost everything you've said above, dynamo, except campanella was not R.O.Y. (rookie of the year). roy's first season (1948), richie ashburn of the phillies won that honor. just keeping you on your toes!

disgrig

11-21-2007, 05:08 AM

i will agree with almost everything you've said above, dynamo, except campanella was not R.O.Y. (rookie of the year). roy's first season (1948), richie ashburn of the phillies won that honor. just keeping you on your toes!

According to mlb.com, Alvin Dark of the Boston Braves won the Rookie of the Year in 1948 (I thought it was Campanella, also, so I looked it up). Campanella was MVP in 1951, 1953 and 1955.

dodger dynamo

11-21-2007, 12:51 PM

you see, I'm mostly going from memory here so it's verrry fallible after 50-60 yrs. especially if you haven't kept up on it the way so many have in the forum. battlin bake, the dodger dynamo

penncentralpete

11-21-2007, 01:04 PM

According to mlb.com, Alvin Dark of the Boston Braves won the Rookie of the Year in 1948 (I thought it was Campanella, also, so I looked it up). Campanella was MVP in 1951, 1953 and 1955.disgig: yes, the basball writers of america honored alvin dark the award. the sporting news honored richie ashburn. you are right, the "official" winner would be "blacky"

disgrig

11-22-2007, 05:46 AM

you see, I'm mostly going from memory here so it's verrry fallible after 50-60 yrs. especially if you haven't kept up on it the way so many have in the forum. battlin bake, the dodger dynamo

I mis-remembered it just the other day also, when I told a co-worker that Campanella was the rookie of the year in 1948. :)