Remembering Don Newcombe

Today marks what would have been the 98th birthday for often-great and most definitely underappreciated Don Newcombe.

Five days after his 18th birthday in 1944 and five years before starting his outstanding pitching career with the Brooklyn Dodgers, Newcombe wins his first pro game with the Newark Eagles in a 9-2 victory over future Hall of Famer Josh Gibson and the Homestead Grays.

The game takes place before 2,500 fans. The location? Harrisburg’s City Island.

Newcombe reaches the major leagues in 1949 with Brooklyn, where for seven seasons he posts a record of 123-60.

While in Brooklyn, Newcombe earns the National League’s Rookie of the Year Award in 1949, as well as the league’s Most Valuable Player Award in 1956.

Newcombe also in 1956 receives the major leagues’ inaugural Cy Young Award. That is back when the Cy Young Award goes only to one recipient in the majors.

Newcombe’s 27 victories in 1956 marks his third 20-win season with the Dodgers in a four-season span.