He was my first baseball hero. I still remember a day in West Palm Beach when the KC Athletics were training there I think it was the 1957 Spring Training. Anyway I had only been a Dodger Fan since 1955, but Duke was my hero. So all of us kids are waiting outside the lockeroom for the Dodgers to come out and go to the field. Duke stopped and told us to be here after the 6th inning and he'd be back and sign autographs...he said this while putting a hand on my shoulder. He was a man of his word, and he was back and signed all our books. I wept when the Dodgers moved to L.A. and injuries and the 440ft RF wall killed Dukes career. I remained a Dodger fan till 1962 when the Colt .45's came into being, for awhile there I was a still a Dodger fan as all my heros were Dodgers, luckily we had Bob Aspromonte on that first Astros team to give me a foot hold in finding new heros. Aspro had a decent career as a 3rd baseman, alhthough my old man always complained he couldn't go to his right. So long Duke, I was always convinced that between You, Willie, and Mickey that you were the best CF in NYC!!
Terry my Duke story is much like yours. My grandfather was big baseball fan. He had a brief tryout with the Yanks. He took me to two ballgames when I was young. When I was 5 he took me to a Yankee game. Because I asked him to he took me to a Dodger game when I was 6. They were playing the Giants. In the top of the ninth the Giants took the lead on a Willie Mays HR. The Duke crushed one to win in the bottom of the ninth and Ebbets field exploded. It seemed like half of Brooklyn was at home to shake his hand. I followed the Dodgers when they moved to LA until the Mets were born in 1962. The Duke was my favorite among Reese, Robinson, Neal, Hodges, Farillo, Amaros, and Campenella.
The Duke of Flatbush. Man, talk about the Golden Age of NY sports. Snider, Mays and Mantle all playing CF in New York at the same time. That will never happen again.
Not only that George, but in those days guys like Snider, Reese, Furrillo, Erskine, etc lived and worked in Brooklyn in the off season. They had regular jobs just like the rest of the world.
I share your sadness, fellas. Jim knows that I have been privileged to bump into Carl Erskine a few times over the past 20 years here in Indiana, where he lives. The great ones from our childhood are leaving us. This is proof to me that there is baseball in heaven.
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Going to the store now! <iframe title="YouTube video player" width="480" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/R5617bslTrk" frameborder="0"></iframe>
The Barber and the Duke! <iframe title="YouTube video player" width="480" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/b8CbB1IFvBU" frameborder="0"></iframe>
The What's my line brought up the 3 Giant pitchers, Magglie, Gomez and Antonelli...I'd forgotten about the last 2 guys...bet Jif hasn't!
vry sad day I really liked him he was a true gentleman. I met him when he was the announcer for the Montreal expo's . My best friend is or was(nr sure) married to Chris Speier shortstop(giants-Cubs expos) I went to have lunch w. her and Duke was in their room. he was such a gentleman. I was so excited I will always remember him. you know when you meet a class act you dont forget them in the back of your mind they always remain, well that was my meeting w. him.