Roy Campanella | |
---|---|
![]() Campanella with the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1956 | |
Catcher | |
Born: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | November 19, 1921|
Died: June 26, 1993 Woodland Hills, California, U.S. | (aged 71)|
Batted: Right Threw: Right | |
Professional debut | |
NgL: 1937, for the Washington Elite Giants | |
MLB: April 20, 1948, for the Brooklyn Dodgers | |
Last MLB appearance | |
September 29, 1957, for the Brooklyn Dodgers | |
Career statistics | |
Batting average | .282 |
Home runs | 261 |
Runs batted in | 1,023 |
Teams | |
Career highlights and awards | |
| |
Member of the National | |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | |
Induction | 1969 |
Vote | 79.4% (seventh ballot) |
Roy Campanella (November 19, 1921 – June 26, 1993), nicknamed "Campy", was an American professional baseball player, primarily as a catcher. The Philadelphia native played in the Negro leagues and Mexican League for nine years before entering the minor leagues in 1946. He made his Major League Baseball (MLB) debut in 1948 for the Brooklyn Dodgers, for whom he played until 1957. His playing career ended when he was paralyzed in an automobile accident in January of 1958. He is considered one of the greatest catchers in the history of the game.[1]
After he retired as a player as a result of the accident, Campanella held positions in scouting and community relations with the Dodgers. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1969.[2]