This Day In Dodgers History: Jackie Robinson Among Jerseys Retired
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June 4, 1972 was a big day in Dodgers franchise history, as the team retired the organization's first three numbers.
Roy Campanella's (39), Sandy Koufax's (32), and Jackie Robinson's (42) numbers were all retired on the same day during a pregame ceremony at Dodger Stadium. These three legends played an integral part in the Dodgers' success during their respective careers. A picture recorded this historic moment in Dodgers history, via Dodgers History’s Twitter account:
On this date 1972 the Dodgers retired the numbers of Jackie Robinson (42), Roy Campanella (39) and Sandy Koufax (32) pic.twitter.com/pml7HSRVxl
— Dodgers History (@Dodgers_History) June 4, 2015
Campanella played 10 seasons for the Brooklyn Dodgers between 1948 and 1957. Over his career, the catcher slashed .276/.360/.500 and hit 242 home runs. He also won three MVP awards in 1951, ’53, and ’55 before being elected to the Hall of Fame in 1969, receiving 79.4 percent of votes.
Koufax played 12 season with the Dodgers, two in Brooklyn and 10 in Los Angeles before retiring after the 1966 season. In his time with the team, the left-hander recorded the third most strikeouts by any pitcher in the organization with 2,396.
Koufax’s two best season came in the last two of his career, as he won back-to-back Triple Crowns and Cy Young awards. In those two seasons, he accumulated a record of 53-17 with a 1.89 ERA. Perhaps the most influential of the trio is Robinson, who broke the color barrier in 1947.
Robinson hit .311 in his 10 years with the Dodgers and drove in 734 runs. The second baseman was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1962 and is now honored every year on April 15 when all players in the Majors wears his iconic No. 42.
Since this date in 1972, seven other Dodgers have had their numbers retired, including manager Tommy Lasorda in 1997. The last player to have their number retired was Don Sutton in 1998. Sutton won 233 games in 16 seasons with the Dodgers and was selected for the Hall of Fame in 1998.
[divide]2015 Sports Spectacular — Chester Pitts
