Published: November 04, 2009 05:24 pm      

SPORTABOUT: The Duke

By Tom Daniels

As the World Series draws to an end and Chase Utley becomes Mr. November there is another name you should remember, Duke Snider. Joe DiMaggio was roaming centerfield for the Yankees as a young Mickey Mantle prepared, Willie Mays was dazzling them with speed, power and defense at the Polo Grounds. Duke Snider was a bum at Ebbets Field in Brooklyn. The comparisons were always Mantle and Mays. Someone forgot ... "Willie, Mickey and the Duke," as the song goes. He got last billing. It is kind of like saying Carlton was second fiddle to Koufax and Spahn. The company is not bad.

Duke Snider hit four homeruns in the 1952 and 1955 World Series, then a National League record. When he retired his 11 homeruns over six World Series was the best in National League history. The World Series, however, was not his only legacy.

Before hitting 40 homeruns was commonplace, Babe Ruth was and is the only player to hit 40 or more homers over a seven-year period. When Snider retired in 1964 he was the only National Leaguer to hit 40 or more homers over a five-year period. Ruth was the A.L. leader, Snider the N.L. Snider hit his 400th homer as a New York Met in the Polo Grounds. At the time it put him in the top ten. He would finish with 407.

The Silver Fox retired a Giant but will always be remembered as a Dodger. A lifetime .295 hitter, he is also the only National Leaguer to score over 120 runs three consecutive seasons. In 1953 and 1954 he was a Triple Crown contender finishing in the top five in all three categories.

So as the World Series concludes and you hear tales of Reggie Jackson, remember the Duke because by now we've all forgotten ... “Willie, Mickey and The Duke."