In 1949, finally, the Dodgers returned to a sense of normalcy in Spring Training after their ill-conceived Cuban adventure, Southern barnstorming tour, and the hostile environment that Robinson was forced to contend with.
It was arranged for the team to move onto an old Navy barracks in Vero Beach, Florida. It was off the beaten path, but this meant fewer Southern racists to heckle Robinson and the growing number of black players. It meant a single “one size fits all” camp for Major Leaguers and minor leaguers alike; a true “complex” in which the organization could prepare for the season. Over time it would be converted into Dodgertown and is, to this day, the finest Spring Training facility in the nation.
Jackie Robinson became the best player in the National League, winning the 1949 Most Valuable Player award with a league-leading .342 batting average and 124 runs batted in.
Brooklyn re-captured the pennant from Boston and beat back St. Louis in a tight race. Attendance picked up and they were, for the first time, favored to beat the Yankees in the Series.
In 1949, Joe DiMaggio was old and badly hurt. Out until June with a bad heel, he finally came to play in a key June series at Fenway Park, putting on a legendary performance. Boston was loaded from top to bottom, with the great Ted Williams enjoying one of his finest years. New York’s manager was the “clown” Casey Stengel, a move many thought would bring the team down. Instead, he led the club to the league title, and would ultimately steer them to their greatest glory, which is saying something!
David Halberstam wrote a book called Summer of ’49. Between the New York-Boston and Brooklyn-St. Louis pennant races, and the Brooklyn-New York World Series, it was quite possibly the best season ever; a year that featured all-time greats, legends at the top of their games, the best towns, most rabid fans, and most legendary franchises ever.
For Brooklyn, it was again “wait ‘til next year.” They suffered the ignominy of losing to the Bronx Bomber in five games, with the Yankees taking the clincher at Ebbets Field, 10-6.
Despite the success on the field and gate revival, the future was up in the air. Along with jet travel there was suburbanization, highway construction, and car travel. A “white flight” to Long Island and other green pastures occurred. Brooklyn, ironically once considered a suburb, was becoming an “inner city” dominated by blacks and Puerto Ricans. Many Jews moved out, too, with the exception of the Hasidics, who disdained sports for the most part.
TV became common place, which meant fans did not have to purchase a ticket in order to watch the games. Games could be heard on the radio while driving, too. O’Malley was complaining to anybody who would listen that he needed a modern stadium with amenities. Every year, California and its welcoming arms beckoned more and more.
In 1950, the Brooklyn Dodgers under manager Burt Shotton lost an excruciatingly close pennant race to the hated Phillies. At least Eddie Sawyer had replaced the horrid Ben Chapman, but Jackie Robinson and Company saw red – not just Philly’s colors - whenever they played them.
Rickey’s transformation was complete by 1950. The old guard was replaced by the new. This was the team that would make its name in Brooklyn and echo throughout baseball history. Ironically, it was Rickey’s last year. He was bought out and kicked out by O’Malley, who consolidated his financial hold on the franchise while fending off investors who very well may have kept the team in Brooklyn down the road.
At first base was “Gentleman Gil” Hodges (28 homers, 113 RBIs and a .283 average). Robinson (.328) manned second base. The great Pee Wee Reese was a defensive mainstay at shortstop. Billy Cox handled the hot corner. Duke Snider of Compton, California hit 31 homers, drove in 107, hit .321, and was the New York center fielder (Willie Mays and Mickey Mantle were still minor leaguers, DiMaggio was on his last legs). Hard-edged right fielder Carl Furillo had one of the best rifle arms in baseball and batted .305 with 106 RBIs.
