News
Rhodes, '54 Series pinch-hitting star, dies
Giants outfielder delivered key hits in Giants' upset of IndiansBy Bobbie Dittmeier / MLB.com
06/18/09 7:31 AM ET
Dusty Rhodes, the offensive hero of the New York Giants' upset of the Cleveland Indians in the 1954 World Series, died on Wednesday, the New York Daily News reported.Rhodes, 82, died in Las Vegas after suffering from a variety of illnesses, including diabetes and emphysema.
The left-handed-hitting outfielder, who played in the Major Leagues from 1952-59 -- all with the Giants -- went 4-for-6 with two home runs and seven RBIs in the Giants' four-game sweep of the Indians, who had won 111 games during the regular season. Three of Rhodes' hits were as a pinch-hitter for future Hall of Famer Monte Irvin.
Rhodes, born in Alabama in 1927, hit a pinch-hit, walk-off, three-run home run down the short right field line at the Polo Grounds in the 10th inning of Game 1 off future Hall of Famer Bob Lemon, giving the Giants a 5-2 win. In Game 2, he had a pinch single and then hit a home run in the seventh inning against Early Wynn, another future Hall of Famer, in a game the Giants won, 3-1. And then in Game 3, in Cleveland, he delivered a two-run pinch single in a 6-2 New York victory.
The Giants, led by manager Leo Durocher, completed the sweep the next day in Cleveland.
"It's a sad day for me," Irvin told the Daily News on Wednesday. "Dusty and I were such good friends. Even though he was born in Alabama, he was like a brother to all the black players. Dusty was color blind. He sure did like the good life, though, which would drive Leo crazy."
Rhodes had a reputation for enjoying the nightlife and was considered a poor defensive player, but he could hit. He batted .341 with 15 home runs and had 50 RBIs in only 164 at-bats in 1954, his best season. In seven seasons, including 1959 with San Francisco, he hit .253 with 54 homers and 207 RBIs in 1,316 at-bats.
"I couldn't buy a drink in New York after that '54 Series," Rhodes said in a December interview with the Daily News. "It's funny, I was never sick a day in my life until I quit drinking."
"He was a fabulous hitter and a great friend," Hall of Fame center fielder Willie Mays told the Daily News. "He stayed at my house and I've never had a greater friend."
Bobbie Dittmeier is an editor/producer for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
