1942 Brooklyn Dodgers season
Encyclopedia
The Brooklyn Dodgers
team won 104 games after another terrific season, but fell two games short of the St. Louis Cardinals
in a great National League
pennant race.
Defending NL batting champ Pete Reiser
, hitting .380, was sidelined in mid-season after repeatedly crashing into the unpadded outfield wall in Ebbets Field
. While he recovered from a fractured skull, Brooklyn couldn't keep up their early pace. A healthy Reiser may very well have made up the two-game difference.
Hugh Casey
Curt Davis
Kirby Higbe
Ducky Medwick
Pistol Pete Reiser
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers are members of Major League Baseball's National League West Division. Established in 1883, the team originated in Brooklyn, New York, where it was known by a number of nicknames before becoming...
team won 104 games after another terrific season, but fell two games short of the St. Louis Cardinals
1942 St. Louis Cardinals season
The St. Louis Cardinals season was the team's 61st season in St. Louis, Missouri and its 51st season in the National League. The Cardinals went 106-48 during the season and finished first in the National League. In the World Series, they met the New York Yankees...
in a great National League
National League
The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the National League , is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball, and the world's oldest extant professional team sports league. Founded on February 2, 1876, to replace the National Association of Professional...
pennant race.
Offseason
- December 9, 1941: Heinie Mueller was purchased by the Dodgers from the Philadelphia PhilliesPhiladelphia PhilliesThe Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883. The Phillies are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
. - December 10, 1941: Mace BrownMace BrownMace Stanley Brown was a relief pitcher in Major League Baseball. From 1935 through 1946, he played for the Pittsburgh Pirates, Brooklyn Dodgers, and Boston Red Sox. Brown posted a 76-57 record with a 3.46 ERA and 44 saves in 387 appearances .Brown was also a javelin thrower who attended the...
was purchased from the Dodgers the Boston Red SoxBoston Red SoxThe Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
. - December 10, 1941: Don PadgettDon PadgettDon Wilson Padgett born in Caroleen, North Carolina was a Catcher/Outfielder for the St. Louis Cardinals , Brooklyn Dodgers , Boston Braves and Philadelphia Phillies ....
was purchased by the Dodgers from the St. Louis CardinalsSt. Louis CardinalsThe St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
. - December 10, 1941: Johnny RizzoJohnny RizzoJohn Costa Rizzo was an outfielder in Major League Baseball from 1938-1942. Rizzo set the Pittsburgh Pirates record for most home runs in a season, with 23 in his rookie year of 1938...
was purchased by the Dodgers from the Philadelphia PhilliesPhiladelphia PhilliesThe Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883. The Phillies are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
. - December 12, 1941: Pete CoscarartPete CoscarartPeter Joseph Coscarart was a second baseman/shortstop in Major League Baseball who played for the Brooklyn Dodgers and Pittsburgh Pirates . Coscarart batted and threw right-handed. He was born in Escondido, California...
, Luke HamlinLuke HamlinLuke Daniel Hamlin , nicknamed "Hot Potato," was a right-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball for 9 years with the Detroit Tigers , Brooklyn Dodgers , Pittsburgh Pirates , and Philadelphia Athletics .Born in Ferris Center, Michigan, Hamlin won the nickname "Hot Potato" because of his tendency to...
, Babe PhelpsBabe PhelpsErnest Gordon Phelps born in Odenton, Maryland, United States was a Catcher for the Washington Senators , Chicago Cubs , Brooklyn Dodgers and Pittsburgh Pirates...
and Jimmy WasdellJimmy WasdellJames Charles Wasdell born in Cleveland, Ohio was an Outfielder and First Baseman for the Washington Senators , Brooklyn Dodgers , Pittsburgh Pirates , Philadelphia Phillies and Cleveland Indians .He helped the Dodgers win the 1941 National League Pennant.In 11 seasons he played in 888 Games and...
were traded by the Dodgers to the Pittsburgh PiratesPittsburgh PiratesThe Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions...
in exchange for Arky VaughanArky VaughanJoseph Floyd "Arky" Vaughan was a professional baseball player. He played 14 seasons in Major League Baseball between 1932 and 1948 for the Pittsburgh Pirates and Brooklyn Dodgers, primarily a shortstop...
. - March 13, 1942: Billy SullivanBilly Sullivan, Jr.William Joseph Sullivan, Jr. born in Chicago, Illinois was a catcher, first baseman and third baseman for the Chicago White Sox , Cincinnati Reds , Cleveland Indians , St. Louis Browns , Detroit Tigers , Brooklyn Dodgers and Pittsburgh Pirates...
was purchased by the Dodgers from the Detroit TigersDetroit TigersThe Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
. - March 23, 1942: Frenchy BordagarayFrenchy BordagarayStanley George "Frenchy" Bordagaray was an American Major League Baseball outfielder and third baseman. Born in Coalinga, California, he lettered in four sports at Fresno State College before making his professional baseball debut in 1931 with the Sacramento Solons of the Pacific Coast League...
was purchased by the Dodgers from the New York YankeesNew York YankeesThe New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
. - Prior to 1942 season: Steve NagySteve NagyStephen Nagy is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. He played parts of two seasons in the majors, for the Pittsburgh Pirates and for the Washington Senators. Nagy also had a minor league career that spanned 17 seasons, from until . He attended Seton Hall University.-References:...
was signed as an amateur free agent by the Dodgers.
Regular season
The Dodgers were 73-30 and 10 games ahead on August 4, but the Cardinals went on to win 45 of their last 56 to grab the NL title. To exacerbate the problem, the Dodgers had also dropped several close games to St. Louis in September.Defending NL batting champ Pete Reiser
Pete Reiser
Harold Patrick "Pete" Reiser , nicknamed "Pistol Pete," was an outfielder in Major League Baseball during the 1940s and early 1950s. He played primarily for the Brooklyn Dodgers, and later for the Boston Braves, Pittsburgh Pirates, and Cleveland Indians.-Early career:A native of St...
, hitting .380, was sidelined in mid-season after repeatedly crashing into the unpadded outfield wall in Ebbets Field
Ebbets Field
Ebbets Field was a Major League Baseball park located in the Flatbush section of Brooklyn, New York, USA, on a city block which is now considered to be part of the Crown Heights neighborhood. It was the home of the Brooklyn Dodgers of the National League. It was also a venue for professional football...
. While he recovered from a fractured skull, Brooklyn couldn't keep up their early pace. A healthy Reiser may very well have made up the two-game difference.
Notable transactions
- April 30, 1942: Schoolboy RoweSchoolboy RoweLynnwood Thomas "Schoolboy" Rowe was an American right-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball, primarily for the Detroit Tigers and Philadelphia Phillies...
was purchased by the Dodgers from the Detroit TigersDetroit TigersThe Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
. - May 19, 1942: Babe DahlgrenBabe DahlgrenEllsworth Tenney "Babe" Dahlgren was a Major League Baseball infielder from 1935 to 1946 for the Boston Red Sox, New York Yankees, Boston Braves, Chicago Cubs, St. Louis Browns, Brooklyn Dodgers, Philadelphia Phillies, and Pittsburgh Pirates...
was purchased by the Dodgers from the Chicago CubsChicago CubsThe Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
. - August 30, 1942: Bobo NewsomBobo NewsomLouis Norman Newsom was an American starting pitcher in Major League Baseball. Also known as "Buck", Newsom played for a number of teams from 1929 through 1953...
was purchased by the Dodgers from the Washington SenatorsMinnesota TwinsThe Minnesota Twins are a professional baseball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The team is named after the Twin Cities area of Minneapolis and St. Paul. They played in Metropolitan Stadium from 1961 to 1981 and the...
.
Roster
| 1942 Brooklyn Dodgers | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roster | |||||||||
| Pitchers |
Catchers Infielders |
Outfielders |
Manager Coaches |
||||||
Starters by position
Note: Pos = Position; G = Games played; AB = At bats; R = runs; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in; SB = Stolen bases| Pos | Player | G | AB | R | H | Avg. | HR | RBI | SB |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C | 133 | 421 | 53 | 109 | .259 | 0 | 44 | 10 | |
| 1B | 150 | 524 | 89 | 132 | .252 | 26 | 109 | 10 | |
| 2B | 155 | 571 | 76 | 146 | .256 | 2 | 65 | 6 | |
| 3B | 128 | 495 | 82 | 137 | .277 | 2 | 49 | 8 | |
| SS | 151 | 564 | 87 | 144 | .255 | 3 | 53 | 15 | |
| LF | 142 | 553 | 69 | 166 | .300 | 4 | 96 | 2 | |
| CF | 125 | 480 | 89 | 149 | .310 | 10 | 64 | 20 | |
| RF | 118 | 393 | 57 | 114 | .290 | 6 | 54 | 1 |
Other batters
Note: G = Games played; AB = At bats; R = runs; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in; SB = Stolen bases| Player | G | AB | R | H | Avg. | HR | RBI | SB |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 78 | 217 | 31 | 50 | .230 | 4 | 27 | 2 | |
| 69 | 209 | 24 | 55 | .263 | 0 | 22 | 2 | |
| 70 | 199 | 20 | 50 | .278 | 3 | 22 | 0 | |
| 43 | 101 | 11 | 27 | .267 | 1 | 14 | 1 | |
Starting pitchers
Note: G = Games pitched; GS = Games started; CG = Complete games; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; BB = Bases on balls; SO = Strikeouts| Player | G | GS | CG | IP | W | L | ERA | BB | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Other pitchers
Note: G = Games pitched; GS = Games started; CG = Complete games; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; BB = Bases on balls; SO = Strikeouts| Player | G | GS | CG | IP | W | L | ERA | BB | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 27 | 15 | 5 | 118 | 10 | 6 | 3.20 | 39 | 50 | |
Relief pitchers
Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; SV = Saves; ERA = Earned run average; BB = Bases on balls; SO = Strikeouts| Player | G | IP | W | L | SV | ERA | BB | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50 | 112 | 6 | 3 | 13 | 2.25 | 44 | 54 | |
Awards and honors
- 1942 Major League Baseball All-Star Game1942 Major League Baseball All-Star GameThe 1942 Major League Baseball All-Star Game was the 10th playing of the midsummer classic between the all-stars of the American League and National League , the two leagues comprising Major League Baseball. The game was held on July 6, 1942, at Polo Grounds in New York, New York the home of the...
- Arky VaughanArky VaughanJoseph Floyd "Arky" Vaughan was a professional baseball player. He played 14 seasons in Major League Baseball between 1932 and 1948 for the Pittsburgh Pirates and Brooklyn Dodgers, primarily a shortstop...
starter - Joe MedwickJoe MedwickJoseph Michael Medwick , nicknamed "Ducky", was an American Major League Baseball player. A left fielder for the St. Louis Cardinals during the "Gashouse Gang" era of the 1930s, he also played for the Brooklyn Dodgers , New York Giants , and Boston Braves...
starter - Pete ReiserPete ReiserHarold Patrick "Pete" Reiser , nicknamed "Pistol Pete," was an outfielder in Major League Baseball during the 1940s and early 1950s. He played primarily for the Brooklyn Dodgers, and later for the Boston Braves, Pittsburgh Pirates, and Cleveland Indians.-Early career:A native of St...
starter - Billy HermanBilly HermanWilliam Jennings Bryan "Billy" Herman was an American second baseman in Major League Baseball during the 1930s and 1940s. He was known for his stellar defense and consistent batting...
reserve - Mickey OwenMickey OwenArnold Malcolm "Mickey" Owen was a catcher for St. Louis Cardinals in Major League Baseball. Between 1937 and 1954, Owen played for the St. Louis Cardinals , Brooklyn Dodgers , Chicago Cubs and Boston Red Sox...
reserve - Pee Wee ReesePee Wee ReeseHarold Peter Henry "Pee Wee" Reese was an American professional baseball player. He played in Major League Baseball as a shortstop for the Brooklyn and Los Angeles Dodgers from to . A ten-time All Star, Reese contributed to seven National League championships for the Dodgers and, was inducted...
reserve - Whit WyattWhit WyattJohn Whitlow Wyatt was a starting pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for the Detroit Tigers , Chicago White Sox , Cleveland Indians , Brooklyn Dodgers , and Philadelphia Phillies...
reserve
- Arky Vaughan
- TSN Major League All-Star Team
- Mickey OwenMickey OwenArnold Malcolm "Mickey" Owen was a catcher for St. Louis Cardinals in Major League Baseball. Between 1937 and 1954, Owen played for the St. Louis Cardinals , Brooklyn Dodgers , Chicago Cubs and Boston Red Sox...
- Mickey Owen
League top five finishers
Dolph CamilliDolph Camilli
Adolph Louis Camilli was an American first baseman in Major League Baseball who spent most of his career with the Philadelphia Phillies and Brooklyn Dodgers. He was named the National League's Most Valuable Player in after leading the league in home runs and runs batted in as the Dodgers won the...
- #2 in NL in home runs (26)
- #2 in NL in RBI (109)
- #3 in NL in walks (97)
Hugh Casey
Hugh Casey
Hugh Thomas "Fireman" Casey was a Major League Baseball pitcher. He played for the Chicago Cubs , the Brooklyn Dodgers , the Pittsburgh Pirates , and the New York Yankees ....
- MLB leader in saves (13)
Curt Davis
Curt Davis
Curtis Benton Davis was a Major League Baseball pitcher. On October 2, 1933 he was drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies from the Pacific Coast League San Francisco Seals in the 1933 rule V draft. He played for the Phillies , Chicago Cubs , St. Louis Cardinals , and Brooklyn Dodgers...
- #3 in NL in ERA (2.36)
Kirby Higbe
Kirby Higbe
Walter Kirby Higbe was an American right-handed starting pitcher in Major League Baseball from to . He was born and died in Columbia, South Carolina.-Career:...
- #3 in NL in strikeouts (115)
Ducky Medwick
Joe Medwick
Joseph Michael Medwick , nicknamed "Ducky", was an American Major League Baseball player. A left fielder for the St. Louis Cardinals during the "Gashouse Gang" era of the 1930s, he also played for the Brooklyn Dodgers , New York Giants , and Boston Braves...
- #2 in NL in doubles (37)
- #4 in NL in RBI (96)
Pistol Pete Reiser
Pete Reiser
Harold Patrick "Pete" Reiser , nicknamed "Pistol Pete," was an outfielder in Major League Baseball during the 1940s and early 1950s. He played primarily for the Brooklyn Dodgers, and later for the Boston Braves, Pittsburgh Pirates, and Cleveland Indians.-Early career:A native of St...
- NL leader in stolen bases (20)
- #4 in NL in batting average (.310)
