Oct
28
2012

Amazin’ Memories: Duke Snider, Hall Of Famer and Mets All Star

An article by Joe D

This vintage United Press International telephoto was taken the day after the Mets purchased Duke Snider for $40,000 from the Los Angeles Dodgers and reuniting him with longtime teammate Gil Hodges. Of course that’s Mets manager Casey Stengel who’s chatting it up with Gil and Duke on the dugout steps just before an April 6th spring training game with the Baltimore Orioles.

The Duke wound up being the Mets lone representative in the All Star Game during his one season with the team in 1963. He played mostly in a platoon and bench role, but did hit 14 homers and tallied 45 RBI, 12 of which were game winning RBI to lead the team. He also led the team with a .746 OPS and a 115 OPS+ that season. Snider hit his 400th homer and got his 2,000th hit as a Met.

On September 12, 1963 the Mets honored him on Duke Snider Night at the Polo Grounds. Many of his former Brooklyn Dodger teammates were on hand including Jackie Robinson, Roy Campanella, Carl Erskine, Carl Furillo, Don Newcombe and Ralph Branca. He retired the following season.

Playing for 18 seasons, Snider had 407 home runs and 2,116 hits. He batted at least .300 seven times, had a lifetime batting average of .295 and was generally among the league leaders in runs batted in and runs scored while playing a sterling defensive center field.

Snider was also a tremendous post season player compiling an impressive .286/.351/.594 batting line in 149 plate appearances. He was the only player to hit four home runs twice in a World Series, including in 1955, when the Dodgers defeated the Yankees, bringing Brooklyn its only World Series championship.

The Duke of Flatbush was selected to the Hall of Fame in 1980. He passed away last year on February 27 at the age of 84.

About the Author: Joe DeCaro

I'm a lifelong Mets fan who loves writing and talking about the Amazins' 24/7. From the Miracle in 1969 to the magic of 1986, and even the near misses in '73 and '00, I've experienced it all - the highs and the lows. I started Mets Merized Online in 2005 to feed my addiction. Follow me on Twitter @metsmerized.

9 Comments + Add Comment

Mary October 28, 2012 at 11:21 am

This reminds me of my brother who passed away in 2003. We grew up in the Canarsie area of Brooklyn, not far from Flatbush, and while I was a huge fan of Pee Wee Reese, my brother loved Duke. We were both devastated like most Brooklynites when the Dodgers left for L.A. and while I found a new love in the Mets he remained a diehard Dodgers fan to the end. Anyway, Duke brings back some nice memories. My dad and my brother both went to go see him the night he was honored at the Polo Grounds.
Metsie October 28, 2012 at 11:23 am

Hmmmm….
18 Years
Batted .300 Seven times
Lifetime Average of .295
Averaged 22 HRs per year
2,116 Hits Lifetime for 117 Hits per season average…

If only we could find a player that was similar in production….

You know someone along the lines of:
9 Years
Batted .300 Six Times
Lifetime Average of .301
Averages 26 HRs per season
Has 1426 Hits for 183 Hits per season average…

That guy could go to the Hall too if he keeps that up…
I wonder where we might find a guy like that?
- Sloatsburg Mets Fan October 28, 2012 at 8:26 pm
  
  DING DONG!!! Who is it? Mr. Wright!!!
  - Metsie October 28, 2012 at 8:40 pm
    
    Thats the Wright Answer there Sloatsburg! LOL
William H. October 28, 2012 at 1:08 pm

Willie, Mickey and the Duke. That was the time when New York ruled all of baseball, it was the Golden Era of our pastime. Three of the best all-around centerfielders ever to play the game. Now we have Gardner and Torres. It doesn’t have the same ring to it.
Joey D. October 28, 2012 at 2:28 pm

Anyone remember Duke Carmel – he named himself after his boyhood idle, Duke Snyder, and when called up during the season the 1963 Mets Yearbook notes how thrilled he was to be playing along side with him.

Unfortunately, that’s about all that could have been said about Carmel except that he did go on to have the distinction of becoming the first MET to then go on and play for the YANKEES (in 1965 along side such other Yankee greats as Ross Mosschitto).
- hotstreak October 29, 2012 at 2:52 am
  
  Hi Josy,
  
  Duke Snider and Roy Campanella were my childhood baseball idols. I sent a self addressed postcard in an envelop to both. I asked for their autographs. I got one post card back. The one I got back signed was the one: I addressed it to Edwin Snider, C/O Brooklyn Dodgers, Ebbets Field; Bedford Ave; Brooklyn NY. I lived on the other side of Prospect Park.When my cousin was growing up I gave “Dukes” autograph to him. It is sort of ironic about ten years ago Duke got in trouble with IRS for not reporting all his income from autographs at baseball shows. By the way shortly after Jackie Robinson retired I was at Jones Beach Boardwalk restaurant with myh parents. The restaurant was just anout empty. Their was another couple just about finishing their dinner. My father said there is Jackie Robinson. He was right. My father said why don’t you ask for his autograph. I said no I do not want to bother him in this in effect a private place for him to relax with his wife.
  - hotstreak October 29, 2012 at 2:58 am
    
    JoeyD,
    
    Please forgive my tying error above in spelling your name .:)
George October 28, 2012 at 2:41 pm

My favorite player when I was a kid. I loved da BUMS. I listened to the games on the radio from upstate NY. When he was traded to the Mets I became a Met fan forever.

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