Classic Photos of Duke Snider

Author:
SI Staff
Publish date:
Feb 28, 2011

Classic Photos of Duke Snider

Dodgers legend Edwin "Duke" Snider died on Sunday at the age of 85. "The Silver Fox" was named to eight all-star teams and won two World Series titles but is best remembered as a key cog in the Brooklyn Dodger teams of the 1950s. Here are some other classic photos of the center fielder.

Snider joined the Dodgers midway through the 1948 season and led them a World Series appearance the following year, where they lost to the Yankees. He soon became one of Brooklyn's most popular players and the center of attention for the media.

Mark Rucker/Transcendental Graphics/Getty Images

Snider is hit by a pitch in a game against Giants. In 1951, Snider's batting average dropped from .321 (in 1950) to .277 and the Dodgers blew a 13-game division lead in the division. Many fans blamed Snider for the team's collapse and he was nearly traded by team owner Walter O'Malley.

Charles Payne/NY Daily News Archive via Getty Images

Despite squandering a 13-game division lead, Snider and the Dodgers nearly made the playoffs after defeating the Phillies in 14 innings to tie the Giants for first place in the National League on the last day of the season. The victory led to a two-out-of-three games playoff for the NL pennant, which the Giants would eventually win on Bobby Thompson's "shot heard 'round the world." Pictured (from left to right) are Preacher Roe, Wayne Terwilliger, Jackie Robinson, Peewee Reese, Snider, Chuck Dressen and Carl Erskine.

Snider and teammates Don Zimmer, Carl Erskine, and Walt Moryn take a break from spring training practice and work on their skills with tennis star Gussie Moran.

Snider hit 40 or more home runs in five consecutive seasons between 1953-57 and was runner-up for MVP in 1955.

Snider relaxes after the third Game of World Series against the Yankees. The Dodgers would wind up winning the series in seven games to capture the first championship in franchise history.

Charles Hoff/NY Daily News Archive via Getty Images

Sninder is mobbed by teammates after hitting a three-run home run to beat the Cardinals. Snider would wind up with 407 career round-trippers.

Snider celebrated with Don Newcombe in the Dodgers clubhouse after winning the 1956 National League Pennant. The team would end up on the losing end of a seven-game World Series against the Yankees.

Louis Requena/MLB Photos via Getty Images

After the 1962 season, Snider was sold to the Mets, marking a return to New York after the Dodgers moved to Los Angeles in 1958. In one season with the Mets, Snider batted .243 with 14 home runs and 45 RBIs.