THE DUKE IS GONE, AN ERA ENDS – AT 9:02 A.M. ET:  For those of us who grew up in Brooklyn, the Brooklyn Dodgers remain in our blood.  They were, of course, the greatest sports team in the history of this or any other world.  When they left Brooklyn for the village of Los Angeles in 1957, we felt a sense of betrayal, never to be equaled. 

No one symbolized the Dodgers more than the great center fielder, Duke Snider.  For me, he has a special place, for he is the only Dodger I ever met personally.  In the old Brooklyn days, before players were paid ten million dollars to pick up a bat, they made extra money by cutting ribbons to open supermarkets, car dealerships, or sports stores.  Duke came out to my town on Long Island to open an A&P.  I actually met him.  I asked him the brilliant question, "Do you think you'll win the pennant?"  He replied, "I hope so."  Immortal words, to a kid.  I still have the autographed picture.

Duke Snider has now died at 84.  Many of his teammates preceded him.  Duke remained as the symbol of the team, and now he has left us as well.

We will not forget number four.  And we will not forget those days at Ebbets Field in Brooklyn, when any of us could get into the stadium for $1.25, and baseball was still a game. 

February 28, 2011