Donald Newcombe was born on June 14, 1926, in Madison, New Jersey, and attended Thomas Jefferson High School in Elizabeth, New Jersey.
Don signed with the old Brooklyn Dodgers in 1946, and made his debut in the big leagues at age 23, on May 20, 1949.
"Newk" was a big, powerful pitcher, standing 6' 4".
In 1949 Newk help pitch the Dodgers to the National League Pennant by going 17-8, with a 3.17 ERA, pitching in the All-Star Game and winning the Rookie of the Year Award.
In 1955 Newcombe won 20 games, helping the Dodgers win another N.L. Pennant, and celebrated with his teammates as the only Brooklyn Dodgers team to win the World Series, beating the Yankees in 7 games.
The big man had his finest season in 1956, leading the N.L. with 27 wins (27-7), winning both the N.L. Most Valuable Player Award, and the very first ever Cy Young Award as baseball's best pitcher.
Don Newcombe compiled a record of 149-90, 3.56 ERA in 344 big league games from 1949-60, with Brooklyn and the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Cincinnati Reds, and Cleveland Indians.
Happy Baseball Birthday! Big Newk!
Play Ball!
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