Brooklyn Dodgers All Time Great

One of the famous trio of New York center fielders to play in the 1950's; Mantle, Mays and Snider

(1926-2011) Born Edwin Donald Snider in Los Angeles, California, he was given the nickname of Duke by his father at the age of 5, and it stuck with him for the rest of his life. Growing up in Southern California, Snider was a gifted all-around athlete, playing basketball, football, and baseball at Compton High School. Primarily a center fielder, he was spotted by one of Branch Rickey's scouts in the early 1940s, and was signed to a baseball contract by the Brooklyn Dodgers right out of high school. He made his major league debut on April 17, 1947, becoming a teammate and friend of Jackie Robinson, the same year that Robinson broke the color barrier in MLB. Snider played for the Brooklyn/Los Angeles Dodgers from 1947-62, and with the New York Mets in 1963, and the San Francisco Giants in 1964. Snider made the National All Star team 8 times, he was a two time world champion, 1955 & 1959, led the National League in Home Runs in 1956, was the National League Leader in R.B.I.'s in 1955, and his uniform number 4 was retired by the Dodgers. He was elected to the Major League Baseball Hall of Fame in 1980. He died on February 27, 2011, at the age of 84 in Escondido, California. He was the last living Brooklyn Dodger who was on the field for the final out of the 1955 World Series victory against the New York Yankees. In 2013, the Bob Feller Act of Valor Award honored Snider as one of 37 Baseball Hall of Fame members for his service in the United States Navy during World War II. Snider's final MLB stats included a career .295 batting average; 2,116 hits; 407 home runs; and 1,333 runs batted in.

Card Signature With HOF Induction Year: 5 x 3 card, signed boldly in blue ink, Duke Snider, HOF 80. Choice condition. Very desirable part of 1950's New York City baseball history when 3 of the game's greatest center fielders all played in New York at the same time. The big question of the day was, who is the best? Willie, Mickey or the Duke? This of course is referring to Willie Mays, Mickey Mantle and Duke Snider. The iconic trio were also the subject of a 1981 hit song titled, Talkin' Baseball, Willie, Mickey and the Duke." This memorable tune was written and sung by Terry Cashman. What a great time to be a New York baseball fan!