1943 Brooklyn Dodgers season
Encyclopedia
With the roster depleted by players leaving for service in World War II
, the Brooklyn Dodgers
finished the season in third place.
The team featured six future Hall of Famers: second baseman Billy Herman
, shortstop Arky Vaughan
, outfielders Dixie Walker
, Paul Waner
, and Joe Medwick
, and manager Leo Durocher
.
Herman finished fourth in MVP voting, after hitting .330 with 100 runs batted in. Vaughan led the league in runs scored and stolen bases.
Billy Herman
Kirby Higbe
Arky Vaughan
Whit Wyatt
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, the Brooklyn Dodgers
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers are members of Major League Baseball's National League West Division. Established in 1883, the team originated in Brooklyn, New York, where it was known by a number of nicknames before becoming...
finished the season in third place.
The team featured six future Hall of Famers: second baseman Billy Herman
Billy Herman
William Jennings Bryan "Billy" Herman was an American second baseman in Major League Baseball during the 1930s and 1940s. He was known for his stellar defense and consistent batting...
, shortstop Arky Vaughan
Arky Vaughan
Joseph Floyd "Arky" Vaughan was a professional baseball player. He played 14 seasons in Major League Baseball between 1932 and 1948 for the Pittsburgh Pirates and Brooklyn Dodgers, primarily a shortstop...
, outfielders Dixie Walker
Dixie Walker
Fred E. "Dixie" Walker was a right fielder in Major League Baseball who played for the New York Yankees , Chicago White Sox , Detroit Tigers , Brooklyn Dodgers and Pittsburgh Pirates...
, Paul Waner
Paul Waner
Paul Glee Waner , nicknamed "Big Poison", was a German-American Major League Baseball right fielder.-Pittsburgh Pirates:...
, and Joe Medwick
Joe Medwick
Joseph Michael Medwick , nicknamed "Ducky", was an American Major League Baseball player. A left fielder for the St. Louis Cardinals during the "Gashouse Gang" era of the 1930s, he also played for the Brooklyn Dodgers , New York Giants , and Boston Braves...
, and manager Leo Durocher
Leo Durocher
Leo Ernest Durocher , nicknamed Leo the Lip, was an American infielder and manager in Major League Baseball. Upon his retirement, he ranked fifth all-time among managers with 2,009 career victories, second only to John McGraw in National League history. Durocher still ranks tenth in career wins by...
.
Herman finished fourth in MVP voting, after hitting .330 with 100 runs batted in. Vaughan led the league in runs scored and stolen bases.
Offseason
- December 12, 1942: Johnny AllenJohnny Allen (baseball)John Thomas Allen was an American pitcher in Major League Baseball for the New York Yankees, Cleveland Indians, St. Louis Browns, Brooklyn Dodgers, and New York Giants....
and cash were traded by the Dodgers to the Philadelphia PhilliesPhiladelphia PhilliesThe Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883. The Phillies are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
for Rube MeltonRube MeltonReuben Franklin Melton was a pitcher in Major League Baseball. He pitched from 1941-1947 with the Brooklyn Dodgers and Philadelphia Phillies....
. - March 9, 1943: Babe DahlgrenBabe DahlgrenEllsworth Tenney "Babe" Dahlgren was a Major League Baseball infielder from 1935 to 1946 for the Boston Red Sox, New York Yankees, Boston Braves, Chicago Cubs, St. Louis Browns, Brooklyn Dodgers, Philadelphia Phillies, and Pittsburgh Pirates...
was traded by the Dodgers to the Philadelphia PhilliesPhiladelphia PhilliesThe Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883. The Phillies are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
for Lloyd WanerLloyd WanerLloyd James Waner , nicknamed "Little Poison", was a Major League Baseball center fielder. His small stature at 5'9" and 132 lb made him one of the smallest players of his era. Along with his brother, Paul Waner, he anchored the Pittsburgh Pirates outfield throughout the 1920s and 1930s...
and Al GlossopAl GlossopAlban Glossop was an American second baseman in Major League Baseball. Born in Christopher, Illinois, he played from 1939-1946. He died at age 76 in Walnut Creek, California.-External links:...
. - March 24, 1943: Schoolboy RoweSchoolboy RoweLynnwood Thomas "Schoolboy" Rowe was an American right-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball, primarily for the Detroit Tigers and Philadelphia Phillies...
was purchased from the Dodgers by the Philadelphia PhilliesPhiladelphia PhilliesThe Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883. The Phillies are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
. - March 24, 1943: Jack KrausJack KrausJohn William Kraus was a pitcher in Major League Baseball. He played for the Philadelphia Phillies and New York Giants. In 1944 Kraus served in the military during World War II.-External links:...
was traded by the Dodgers to the Philadelphia PhilliesPhiladelphia PhilliesThe Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883. The Phillies are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
for Bobby BraganBobby BraganRobert Randall Bragan was a shortstop, catcher, manager, and coach in American Major League Baseball. He also was an influential executive in minor league baseball...
.
Notable transactions
- April 22, 1943: Johnny AllenJohnny Allen (baseball)John Thomas Allen was an American pitcher in Major League Baseball for the New York Yankees, Cleveland Indians, St. Louis Browns, Brooklyn Dodgers, and New York Giants....
was purchased by the Dodgers from the Philadelphia PhilliesPhiladelphia PhilliesThe Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883. The Phillies are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
. - May 15, 1943: Hal PeckHal PeckHarold Arthur Peck was an American right fielder in Major League Baseball who played from 1943 to 1949. He appeared in the 1948 World Series while a member of the Cleveland Indians. Born in Big Bend, Wisconsin, he died at age 77 in Milwaukee.-External links:...
was purchased from the Dodgers by the Chicago CubsChicago CubsThe Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
. - May 20, 1943: Alex KampourisAlex KampourisAlexis William Kampouris , is a former professional baseball player who played in the Major Leagues primarily as a 2nd baseman from 1934–1939 and 1941-1943.-Miscellaneous facts:...
was purchased from the Dodgers by the Washington SenatorsMinnesota TwinsThe Minnesota Twins are a professional baseball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The team is named after the Twin Cities area of Minneapolis and St. Paul. They played in Metropolitan Stadium from 1961 to 1981 and the...
. - May 20, 1943: Newt KimballNewt KimballNewell W. Kimball was an American right-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball.Born in Logan, Utah, Kimball was signed by the Chicago Cubs in 1934, winning twenty games for their Class C Ponca City, Oklahoma affiliate as a nineteen-year-old...
was purchased from the Dodgers by the Philadelphia PhilliesPhiladelphia PhilliesThe Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883. The Phillies are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
. - July 6, 1943: Joe MedwickJoe MedwickJoseph Michael Medwick , nicknamed "Ducky", was an American Major League Baseball player. A left fielder for the St. Louis Cardinals during the "Gashouse Gang" era of the 1930s, he also played for the Brooklyn Dodgers , New York Giants , and Boston Braves...
was purchased from the Dodgers by the New York GiantsSan Francisco GiantsThe San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the National League West Division....
. - July 15, 1943: Bobo NewsomBobo NewsomLouis Norman Newsom was an American starting pitcher in Major League Baseball. Also known as "Buck", Newsom played for a number of teams from 1929 through 1953...
were traded by the Dodgers to the St. Louis BrownsBaltimore OriolesThe Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland in the United States. They are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's American League. One of the American League's eight charter franchises in 1901, it spent its first year as a major league...
for Fritz OstermuellerFritz OstermuellerFrederick Raymond Ostermueller , was a pitcher in major league baseball from 1934–1948, for the Boston Red Sox, Brooklyn Dodgers, Pittsburgh Pirates, and St. Louis Browns....
and Archie McKainArchie McKainArchie Richard McKain , nicknamed "Happy," was a left-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball who played six seasons with the Boston Red Sox , Detroit Tigers , and St. Louis Browns . Born in Delphos, Kansas, McKain went 8-8 as a Red Sox rookie in 1937...
. - July 31, 1943: Johnny AllenJohnny Allen (baseball)John Thomas Allen was an American pitcher in Major League Baseball for the New York Yankees, Cleveland Indians, St. Louis Browns, Brooklyn Dodgers, and New York Giants....
and Dolph CamilliDolph CamilliAdolph Louis Camilli was an American first baseman in Major League Baseball who spent most of his career with the Philadelphia Phillies and Brooklyn Dodgers. He was named the National League's Most Valuable Player in after leading the league in home runs and runs batted in as the Dodgers won the...
were traded by the Dodgers to the New York GiantsSan Francisco GiantsThe San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the National League West Division....
for Bill LohrmanBill LohrmanWilliam Le Roy Lohrman was a pitcher in Major League Baseball. He pitched in 198 games from 1934-1944.-External links:...
, Bill SaylesBill SaylesWilliam Nisbeth Sayles was an American right-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for the Boston Red Sox, New York Giants and Brooklyn Dodgers in 1939 and 1943. Born in Portland, Oregon, he also pitched in the 1936 Summer Olympics as part of the "World Champions" team . He died at...
and Joe OrengoJoe OrengoJoseph Charles Orengo was an American infielder in Major League Baseball who played for five teams from 1939 to 1945, playing all four infield positions. He was born in San Francisco, California, and died there at age 73....
. - September 28, 1943: Al GlossopAl GlossopAlban Glossop was an American second baseman in Major League Baseball. Born in Christopher, Illinois, he played from 1939-1946. He died at age 76 in Walnut Creek, California.-External links:...
was purchased from the Dodgers by the Chicago CubsChicago CubsThe Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
.
Roster
| 1943 Brooklyn Dodgers | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roster | |||||||||
| Pitchers (CL) |
Catchers Infielders |
Outfielders Other batters |
Manager Coaches |
||||||
Starters by position
Note: Pos = Position; G = Games played; AB = At bats; R = Runs; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in; SB = Stolen bases| Pos | Player | G | AB | R | H | Avg. | HR | RBI | SB |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C | 100 | 365 | 31 | 95 | .260 | 0 | 54 | 4 | |
| 1B | 95 | 353 | 56 | 87 | .246 | 6 | 43 | 2 | |
| 2B | 153 | 585 | 76 | 193 | .330 | 2 | 100 | 4 | |
| 3B | 89 | 268 | 47 | 81 | .302 | 0 | 19 | 6 | |
| SS | 149 | 610 | 112 | 186 | .305 | 5 | 66 | 20 | |
| OF | 138 | 540 | 83 | 163 | .302 | 5 | 71 | 3 | |
| OF | 139 | 495 | 83 | 142 | .287 | 9 | 67 | 6 | |
| OF | 57 | 238 | 39 | 72 | .303 | 4 | 37 | 3 |
Other batters
Note: G = Games played; AB = At bats; R = Runs; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in; SB = Stolen bases| Player | G | AB | R | H | Avg. | HR | RBI | SB |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 82 | 225 | 29 | 70 | .311 | 1 | 26 | 0 | |
| 87 | 217 | 28 | 37 | .171 | 3 | 21 | 0 | |
| 48 | 173 | 13 | 47 | .272 | 0 | 25 | 1 | |
| 6 | 18 | 1 | 4 | .222 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |
Starting pitchers
Note: G = Games pitched; GS = Games started; CG = Complete games; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; BB = Bases on balls; SO = Strikeouts| Player | G | GS | CG | IP | W | L | ERA | BB | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9 | 8 | 1 | 45.1 | 2 | 2 | 6.35 | 41 | 23 | |
Other pitchers
Note: G = Games pitched; GS = Games started; CG = Complete games; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; BB = Bases on balls; SO = Strikeouts| Player | G | GS | CG | IP | W | L | ERA | BB | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Relief pitchers
Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; SV = Saves; ERA = Earned run average; BB = Bases on balls; SO = Strikeouts| Player | G | IP | W | L | SV | ERA | BB | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17 | 38 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 4.26 | 25 | 15 | |
Awards and honors
- 1943 Major League Baseball All-Star Game1943 Major League Baseball All-Star GameThe 1943 Major League Baseball All-Star Game was the 11th playing of the midsummer classic between the all-stars of the American League and National League , the two leagues comprising Major League Baseball. The game was held on July 13, 1943, at Shibe Park in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania the home...
- Billy HermanBilly HermanWilliam Jennings Bryan "Billy" Herman was an American second baseman in Major League Baseball during the 1930s and 1940s. He was known for his stellar defense and consistent batting...
starter - Augie GalanAugie GalanAugust John Galan was a left fielder in Major League Baseball. From 1934 through 1949, he played for the Chicago Cubs , Brooklyn Dodgers , Cincinnati Reds , New York Giants and Philadelphia Athletics . Galan threw right-handed and began his career as a switch hitter...
reserve - Mickey OwenMickey OwenArnold Malcolm "Mickey" Owen was a catcher for St. Louis Cardinals in Major League Baseball. Between 1937 and 1954, Owen played for the St. Louis Cardinals , Brooklyn Dodgers , Chicago Cubs and Boston Red Sox...
reserve - Dixie WalkerDixie WalkerFred E. "Dixie" Walker was a right fielder in Major League Baseball who played for the New York Yankees , Chicago White Sox , Detroit Tigers , Brooklyn Dodgers and Pittsburgh Pirates...
reserve
- Billy Herman
- TSN Major League All-Star Team
- Billy HermanBilly HermanWilliam Jennings Bryan "Billy" Herman was an American second baseman in Major League Baseball during the 1930s and 1940s. He was known for his stellar defense and consistent batting...
- Billy Herman
League top ten finishers
Augie GalanAugie Galan
August John Galan was a left fielder in Major League Baseball. From 1934 through 1949, he played for the Chicago Cubs , Brooklyn Dodgers , Cincinnati Reds , New York Giants and Philadelphia Athletics . Galan threw right-handed and began his career as a switch hitter...
- #2 in NL in on-base percentage (.412)
Billy Herman
Billy Herman
William Jennings Bryan "Billy" Herman was an American second baseman in Major League Baseball during the 1930s and 1940s. He was known for his stellar defense and consistent batting...
- #2 in NL in batting average (.330)
- #3 in NL in RBI (100)
- #3 in NL in hits (193)
- #3 in NL in on-base percentage (.398)
Kirby Higbe
Kirby Higbe
Walter Kirby Higbe was an American right-handed starting pitcher in Major League Baseball from to . He was born and died in Columbia, South Carolina.-Career:...
- #5 in NL in strikeouts (108)
Arky Vaughan
Arky Vaughan
Joseph Floyd "Arky" Vaughan was a professional baseball player. He played 14 seasons in Major League Baseball between 1932 and 1948 for the Pittsburgh Pirates and Brooklyn Dodgers, primarily a shortstop...
- MLB leader in runs scored (112)
- NL leader in stolen bases (20)
- #5 in NL in hits (186)
Whit Wyatt
Whit Wyatt
John Whitlow Wyatt was a starting pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for the Detroit Tigers , Chicago White Sox , Cleveland Indians , Brooklyn Dodgers , and Philadelphia Phillies...
- #3 in NL in ERA (2.49)
