Preacher Roe dies
Just got the release, which I have pasted below. His son used to live up the street from my family in Arkansas when I was growing up. My dad, who had seen him play, got to meet him one time when he was visiting. Preacher Roe was 92 when he died last night. Here is the release:
STATEMENT ON THE PASSING OF FORMER DODGER GREAT PREACHER ROE (1915-2008)
The Dodgers are saddened to announce that former Brooklyn Dodger pitcher Elwin Charles "Preacher" Roe passed away last night at the age of 92. Roe pitched 12 seasons in the Major Leagues (1938-54), including seven seasons with the Dodgers (1948-54). Roe was named to the National League All-Star team on five occasions and he went 22-3 with a 3.04 ERA in 1951 for the Brooklyn Dodgers, his best season in the Majors. That year, he was named the National League's Best Pitcher by The Sporting News and finished fifth in the NL MVP voting.
Roe was the winning pitcher in Game 2 of the 1949 World Series, pitching a complete-game shutout against the Yankees at Yankee Stadium. He also earned a complete-game victory in Game 3 of the 1952 World Series for the Dodgers at Yankee Stadium. He pitched a complete game in all three of his career postseason starts while posting a 2.54 ERA during five Fall Classic appearances.
Roe went on to serve as an instructor during several of the Dodgers' Adult Baseball Camps in Vero Beach, FL.
Funeral services will be held this Thursday at:
Carter Funeral Home
1316 Porter Wagoner Boulevard
West Plains, MO 65775
In lieu of flowers the family is requesting contributions to:
The MSU Foundation
Attn: Golf Program
Missouri State University
West Plains, MO 65775
Dodger Owner Frank McCourt and President Jamie McCourt released the following statement on his passing:
"Preacher Roe left an indelible mark in Dodger history. He was one of the original 'Boys of Summer' and his success in the World Series against the Yankees in 1949, 1952, and 1953 helped pave the way for the 1955 World Champions. Our heartfelt sympathies go out to his family and loved ones."
Some quotes from crafty old Preacher Roe:
Roe once opened the door to the Cardinals’ clubhouse after a
Cardinals-Dodgers game, and proclaimed:
“I know how to get Stan Musial out!”
Cardinals’ players: “How?”
Roe: ”Throw him four wide ones, and pick ‘em off first!”
“One day in a tough game I was passing Lonnie Warneke and he said, ‘Preach, I may have my superiors on the bases, but when it comes to balls and strikes, I’m second to no man.’ And I commenced thinking careful and when I was done I told him, ‘Horse shit, Lon.’”
“If it’s a good ‘un it drops like a dead duck just as it crosses the plate.”
“Every pitch, perfect or not, is a potential home run.”
“I’ve got three pitches, my change, my change off my change, and my change off my change off my change.”
May God bless Preacher.