1946 Brooklyn Dodgers season
Encyclopedia
The Brooklyn Dodgers
finished the season tied for first place with the St. Louis Cardinals
. The two teams played in the first ever playoff series to decide the pennant, and the Cardinals took two straight to win the title.
With their star players back from the war, Brooklyn had jumped back into serious contention. They would be respectable until their move to Los Angeles 10 years later.
This season was the team's – and Major League Baseball
's – last non-integrated one.
as a free agent. Robinson was the first black player to be officially a part of a major league organization in over 60 years, since the barring of Fleet
and Welday Walker
in . For the 1946 season, Robinson was assigned to the Montreal Royals
, the Dodgers' top farm team.
Later in the offseason, the Dodgers signed two more players from the Negro leagues, Roy Campanella
and Don Newcombe
, who were assigned to the Nashua Dodgers
.
Pete Reiser
Eddie Stanky
Dixie Walker
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...
finished the season tied for first place with the St. Louis Cardinals
1946 St. Louis Cardinals season
The St. Louis Cardinals season was a season in American baseball. It was the team's 65th season in St. Louis, Missouri and the 55th season in the National League. The Cardinals went 96-58 during the season and finished first in the National League. In the World Series, they won in 7 games over the...
. The two teams played in the first ever playoff series to decide the pennant, and the Cardinals took two straight to win the title.
With their star players back from the war, Brooklyn had jumped back into serious contention. They would be respectable until their move to Los Angeles 10 years later.
This season was the team's – and Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
's – last non-integrated one.
Offseason
On October 23, 1945, the Dodgers signed Jackie RobinsonJackie Robinson
Jack Roosevelt "Jackie" Robinson was the first black Major League Baseball player of the modern era. Robinson broke the baseball color line when he debuted with the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947...
as a free agent. Robinson was the first black player to be officially a part of a major league organization in over 60 years, since the barring of Fleet
Moses Fleetwood Walker
Moses Fleetwood Walker [″Fleet″] was an American Major League Baseball player and author who is credited with being the first African American to play professional baseball.-Baseball career:...
and Welday Walker
Welday Walker
Welday Wilberforce Walker was an American left fielder in Major League Baseball, born in Steubenville, Ohio. He, along with his brother Moses Fleetwood Walker, became the first black baseball players to play in the major leagues when they played for the Toledo Blue Stockings of the American...
in . For the 1946 season, Robinson was assigned to the Montreal Royals
Montreal Royals
The Montreal Royals were a minor league professional baseball team located in Montreal, Quebec, that existed from 1897–1917 and from 1928–60 as a member of the International League and its progenitor, the original Eastern League...
, the Dodgers' top farm team.
Later in the offseason, the Dodgers signed two more players from the Negro leagues, Roy Campanella
Roy Campanella
Roy Campanella , nicknamed "Campy", was an American baseball player, primarily at the position of catcher, in the Negro leagues and Major League Baseball...
and Don Newcombe
Don Newcombe
Donald Newcombe , nicknamed "Newk", is an American former Major League Baseball right-handed starting pitcher who played for the Brooklyn/Los Angeles Dodgers , Cincinnati Reds and Cleveland Indians .Until 2011 when Detroit Tigers Pitcher Justin Verlander did it, Newcombe was the only baseball...
, who were assigned to the Nashua Dodgers
Nashua Dodgers
The Nashua Dodgers was a farm club of the Brooklyn Dodgers, operating in the class-B New England League between 1946 and 1949. It is believed to be the first professional baseball team based in the United States in the twentieth century to play with a racially integrated roster...
.
Opening Day lineup
| Opening Day lineup | |
|---|---|
| Name | Position |
| Pee Wee Reese Pee Wee Reese Harold 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... |
Shortstop Shortstop Shortstop, abbreviated SS, is the baseball fielding position between second and third base. Shortstop is often regarded as the most dynamic defensive position in baseball, because there are more right-handed hitters in baseball than left-handed hitters, and most hitters have a tendency to pull the... |
| Billy Herman Billy Herman William 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... |
Second baseman Second baseman Second base, or 2B, is the second of four stations on a baseball diamond which must be touched in succession by a base runner in order to score a run for that player's team. A second baseman is the baseball player guarding second base... |
| Dick Whitman Dick Whitman Dick Corwin Whitman was an American outfielder in Major League Baseball. He played college baseball at the University of Oregon, and then professionally from 1946-1951 with the Brooklyn Dodgers and Philadelphia Phillies.Born in Woodburn, Oregon, he appeared in the 1949 World Series with the... |
Left fielder Left fielder In baseball, a left fielder is an outfielder who plays defense in left field. Left field is the area of the outfield to the left of a person standing at home plate and facing towards the pitcher's mound... |
| Gene Hermanski Gene Hermanski Eugene Victor Hermanski was a Major League Baseball outfielder. A native of Pittsfield, Massachusetts, he attended Seton Hall University.... |
Right fielder Right fielder A right fielder, abbreviated RF, is the outfielder in baseball or softball who plays defense in right field. Right field is the area of the outfield to the right of a person standing at home plate and facing towards the pitcher's mound... |
| Jack Graham Jack Graham (baseball) John Bernard Graham was an American first baseman in Major League Baseball. Born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, he played in 1946 and 1949 with the Brooklyn Dodgers, New York Giants and St. Louis Browns. He died at age 82 in Los Alamitos, California.His father, Peaches Graham, also played in the... |
First baseman First baseman First base, or 1B, is the first of four stations on a baseball diamond which must be touched in succession by a baserunner in order to score a run for that player's team... |
| Carl Furillo Carl Furillo Carl Anthony Furillo , nicknamed "The Reading Rifle" and "Skoonj," was a right fielder in Major League Baseball who played his entire career for the Brooklyn and Los Angeles Dodgers... |
Center fielder Center fielder A center fielder, abbreviated CF, is the outfielder in baseball who plays defense in center field – the baseball fielding position between left field and right field... |
| Lew Riggs Lew Riggs Lewis Sidney Riggs born in Mebane, North Carolina was a Third Baseman for the St. Louis Cardinals , Cincinnati Reds and Brooklyn Dodgers .... |
Third baseman Third baseman A third baseman, abbreviated 3B, is the player in baseball whose responsibility is to defend the area nearest to third base — the third of four bases a baserunner must touch in succession to score a run... |
| Ferrell Anderson Ferrell Anderson Ferrell Jack Anderson , nicknamed "Andy", was a catcher in Major League Baseball.Anderson was signed by the New York Yankees in 1939 after spending four years as an all conference football tackle at the University of Kansas. He was purchased by the Brooklyn Dodgers from the Yankees system in 1942... |
Catcher Catcher Catcher is a position for a baseball or softball player. When a batter takes his turn to hit, the catcher crouches behind home plate, in front of the umpire, and receives the ball from the pitcher. This is a catcher's primary duty, but he is also called upon to master many other skills in order to... |
| Hal Gregg Hal Gregg Harold Dana Gregg was a starting pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for the Brooklyn Dodgers , Pittsburgh Pirates and New York Giants . Greeg batted and threw right-handed... |
Starting pitcher Starting pitcher In baseball or softball, a starting pitcher is the pitcher who delivers the first pitch to the first batter of a game. A pitcher who enters the game after the first pitch of the game is a relief pitcher.... |
Notable transactions
- April 27, 1946: Jack GrahamJack Graham (baseball)John Bernard Graham was an American first baseman in Major League Baseball. Born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, he played in 1946 and 1949 with the Brooklyn Dodgers, New York Giants and St. Louis Browns. He died at age 82 in Los Alamitos, California.His father, Peaches Graham, also played in the...
and Goody Rosen were purchased from the Dodgers by the New York GiantsSan Francisco GiantsThe San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the National League West Division....
. - June 12, 1946: 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 from the Dodgers by the Boston BravesAtlanta BravesThe Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....
. - June 15, 1946: 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...
was traded by the Dodgers to the Boston BravesAtlanta BravesThe Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....
for Stew HofferthStew HofferthStewart Edward Hofferth was an American catcher in Major League Baseball player. Born in Logansport, Indiana, he played from 1944-1946 for the Boston Braves. He died at age 81 in Valparaiso, Indiana.-External links:...
.
Roster
| 1946 Brooklyn Dodgers | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roster | |||||||||
| Pitchers |
Catchers Infielders |
Outfielders Other batters |
Manager Coaches |
||||||
Starters by position
Note: Pos = Position; G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in| Pos | Player | G | AB | H | Avg. | HR | RBI |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C | 92 | 292 | 78 | .267 | 1 | 25 | |
| 1B | 103 | 310 | 75 | .242 | 10 | 60 | |
| 2B | 144 | 483 | 132 | .273 | 0 | 36 | |
| 3B | 88 | 242 | 57 | .236 | 3 | 27 | |
| SS | 152 | 542 | 154 | .284 | 5 | 60 | |
| OF | 117 | 335 | 95 | .284 | 3 | 35 | |
| OF | 122 | 423 | 117 | .277 | 11 | 73 | |
| OF | 150 | 576 | 184 | .319 | 9 | 116 |
Other batters
Note: G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in| Player | G | AB | H | Avg. | HR | RBI |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 104 | 265 | 69 | .260 | 2 | 31 | |
| 47 | 184 | 53 | .288 | 0 | 28 | |
| 64 | 110 | 22 | .200 | 0 | 8 | |
Starting pitchers
Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts| Player | G | IP | W | L | ERA | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Other pitchers
Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts| Player | G | IP | W | L | ERA | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 47 | 150.2 | 11 | 5 | 2.93 | 78 | |
| 24 | 67.1 | 3 | 1 | 3.88 | 42 | |
| 16 | 53.2 | 2 | 5 | 5.87 | 36 | |
Relief pitchers
Note: G = Games pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; SV = Saves; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts| Player | G | W | L | SV | ERA | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3.86 | 6 | |
Awards and honors
- 1946 Major League Baseball All-Star Game1946 Major League Baseball All-Star GameThe 1946 Major League Baseball All-Star Game was the 14th 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 9, 1946, at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts the home of the...
- Dixie WalkerDixie WalkerFred E. "Dixie" Walker was a right fielder in Major League Baseball who played for the New York Yankees , Chicago White Sox , Detroit Tigers , Brooklyn Dodgers and Pittsburgh Pirates...
starter - Kirby HigbeKirby HigbeWalter 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:...
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 - 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...
reserve
- Dixie Walker
League top five finishers
Kirby HigbeKirby 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:...
- #2 in NL in strikeouts (134)
- #3 in NL in wins (17)
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...
- MLB leader in stolen bases (34)
Eddie Stanky
Eddie Stanky
Edward Raymond Stanky , nicknamed "The Brat", was an American second baseman and manager in Major League Baseball. He played for the Chicago Cubs , Brooklyn Dodgers , Boston Braves , New York Giants , and St. Louis Cardinals...
- #3 in NL in runs scored (98)
Dixie Walker
Dixie Walker
Fred E. "Dixie" Walker was a right fielder in Major League Baseball who played for the New York Yankees , Chicago White Sox , Detroit Tigers , Brooklyn Dodgers and Pittsburgh Pirates...
- #2 in NL in RBI (116)
- #3 in NL in batting average (.319)
