Ex-Dodgers MVP, Cy Young winner dies

Legendary Dodgers pitcher Don Newcombe, who won the Cy Young Award and NL MVP during his heyday with the team, died last week of an undisclosed illness. He was 92.

“Newk” was a fierce presence on the mound, a 6-4, 225-pound bear of a man who stared down hitters and backed up anyone foolish enough to crowd the plate.

He played 10 seasons in the major leagues, 71⁄2 with the Dodgers. Most of his tenure came before the team moved to Los Angeles in 1958. He was one of the Dodgers’ final links to Brooklyn and was a key member of the 1955 World Series champion team.

Newcombe played on three

Don Newcombe’s career stats

pennant winners with the Dodgers. He was a four-time All-Star and Rookie of the Year in 1949. He took off the 1952 and 1953 seasons to serve in the Korean War. Newcombe was 12360 as a starter in his Dodgers career.

His greatest year was in 1956, when he went 27-7 and won both the Cy Young Award, then given to only one pitcher for both leagues, and the National League MVP award. (Only 11 players have won both a Cy Young Award and an MVP award.)

Newcombe, like Dodgers teammate Jackie Robinson, was signed by Branch Rickey from the Negro leagues and went on to make a huge mark in the major leagues.

Newcombe, Robinson and catcher Roy Campanella were a Year Tm W L ERA 1949 BRO 17 8 3.17 1950 BRO 19 11 3.70 1951 BRO 20 9 3.28 Did not play in major or minor leagues in 1952 (military service) Did not play in major or minor leagues in 1953 (military service) 1954 BRO 9 8 4.55 1955 BRO 20 5 3.20 1956 BRO 27 7 3.06 1957 BRO 11 12 3.49 1958 TOT 7 13 4.67 1958 LAD 0 6 7.86 1958 CIN 7 7 3.85 1959 CIN 13 8 3.16 1960 TOT 6 9 4.48 1960 CIN 4 6 4.57 1960 CLE 2 3 4.33

10 Yrs 149 90 3.56 G 38 40 40

29 34 38 28 31 11 20 30 36 16 20 344 GS 31 35 36 CG 19 20 18 trio of black stars for the Dodgers who often supported each other. SHO 5

4

3 IP 244.1 267.1 272.0 would have. We had to endure. (Robinson’s) character, his backbone, his guts — those were the keys. Jackie was the leader under Mr. Rickey.”

Newcombe retired in 1960 after 21⁄2 seasons with the Reds and one with the Indians.

Dodgers president Stan Kasten praised Newcombe for his influence on the club after his retirement.

“Don Newcombe’s presence and life established him as a role model for major leaguers across the country,” Kasten said. “He was a constant presence at Dodger Stadium and players always gravitated to him for his endless advice and leadership. The Dodgers meant everything to him, and we are all fortunate he was a part of our lives.” SO 149 130 164 WHIP 1.211 1.246 1.199

GARY A. VASQUEZ/USA TODAY Former Dodgers’ Don Newcombe (36) and Sandy Koufax were feted during the 2017 World Series.