Roy Campanella was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1921. Campanella grew up in Philadelphia playing sandlot baseball with the Nicetown Colored Athletics, Nicetown Giant, Loudensluger Post 366 and Steins Tailors. He also excelled at basketball and was a Golden Gloves boxer. At the age of fifteen he signed his first professional contract to play for the Atlantic City Bacharach Giants in 1936. After a short time with the Bacharach Giants, Campanella was signed by the Baltimore Elite Giants of the Negro National League. Baltimore had Raleigh “Biz” Mackey on their roster when they signed Campanella. Mackey is considered by many as the best defensive catcher in Negro League baseball history. Under the guidance and instruction of Mackey, Campanella would develop into one of the best catchers in baseball history.
Roy Campanella - Brooklyn Dodgers (1948-1957)
Campanella could do it all. He could hit, throw runners out, call an excellent game and play outstanding defense. Over his professional career in Negro League and Major League baseball, Campanella played for the following teams:
|
Atlantic City Bacharch Giants |
Independent Team |
1936 |
|
Baltimore Elite Giants |
Negro National League |
1937-1942 |
|
Monterrey |
Mexican League |
1942-1943 |
|
Baltimore Elite Giants |
Negro National League |
1944-1945 |
|
Nashua Dodgers |
New England League |
1946 |
|
Montreal Royals |
International League |
1947 |
|
St. Paul Saints |
American Association |
1948 |
|
Brooklyn Dodgers |
National League |
1948-1957 |
During the off season, Campanella would play winter league baseball or barnstorm. Campanella played winter league ball in Cuba, Puerto Rico, Mexico and Venezuela. He barnstormed during his career with: Biz Mackey’s All Stars, American All Stars, Jackie Robinson All Stars, Willie Mays All Stars and had his own team called the Roy Campanella All Stars.
In 1946, Campanella turned down a contract offer of $ 5,000 per season from George Pasqual of the Mexican League to sign with the Brooklyn Dodgers. Campanella’s ten-year career (1948-1957) with the Dodgers resulted in numerous personal awards and five National League pennants for the Brooklyn Dodgers. Campanella’s career statistics while playing for the Brooklyn Dodgers are:
Seasons Games At Bats Hits 2B 3B HR RBI Average Slugging Avg.
10 1215 4205 1161 178 18 242 856 .276 .500
Highlights from Campanella’s professional baseball career include:
· Negro League career batting average of .353
· Selected for four Negro League East-West All Star games.
· East-West All-Star Game Most Valuable Player Award (1941)
· New England League Most Valuable Player Award (1946)
· International League Most Valuable Player Award (1947)
· Eight time selection to National League All Star team
· Three time National League Most Valuable Player Award (1951, 1953, 1955)
· World Series Most Valuable Player Award (1949)
· International League Baseball Hall of Fame
· American Association Baseball Hall of Fame
· Mexican League Baseball Hall of Fame (1971)
Campanella's baseball career was tragically cut short in January 1958, when he was left paralyzed from an automobile accident.
Roy Campanella was inducted to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1969