Dodgers Legend Don Newcombe has passed away at 92

Don Newcombe nicknamed “Newk“, is considered to be one of the greatest pitchers in Dodgers history. Memories of the Dodgers hay days when Roy Campanella and Jackie Robinson graced Ebbets Field, Don Newcombe was the final living link to the Brooklyn franchise.

Don Newcombe, started off as a pitcher in the Negro Leagues before making his debut with the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1949.
Along with Jackie Robinson, Roy Campanella and Larry Doby, Newcombe was among the first 4 black players to make the All-Star game. Newcombe was named an All Star 3 more times during his career. He was the first pitcher to win the Rookie of the Year, Most Valuable Player, and Cy Young Awards during his career.  In 1949, he became the first black pitcher to start a World Series game. In 1951, Newcombe was the first black pitcher to win twenty games in one season.^[1] In 1956, the inaugural year of the Cy Young Award, he became the first pitcher to win the National League MVP and the Cy Young in the same season.

After retirement, Newcombe rejoined the Dodger organization in the late 1970s and served as the team’s Director of Community Affairs. In March 2009, he was named special adviser to the chairman of the team.

At a fundraising event for Senator Barbara Boxer, President Barack Obama referred to Newcombe (who was attending the event) as “someone who helped… America become what it is.^[18]

“I would not be here if it were not for Jackie and it were not for Don Newcombe.”

On Tuesday, Don Newcombe passed away at the tender age of 92.

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