Philly native and longtime Dodger, Roy Campanella is the best MLB athlete to ever wear the jersey number 39. Campanella, or "Campy" as he was called by some, broke into the major leagues with the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1948, the year after Jackie Robinson broke the MLB color line.
Campy would go on to prove himself not only worthy of major league level play, but of Hall of Fame honor, being inducted into the Hall in 1969.
Playing for the Dodgers between the years of 1948 and 1957, Campanella put up some big numbers.
- 242 career home runs
- .276 career batting average
- 856 career RBI
- 3-time NL MVP (1951, 1953 and 1955)
- 8-time All Star
Campanella's career was cut short by an automobile accident, otherwise his numbers and accolades would have been even greater.
Did you know.........Roy Campanella's jersey number 39 has been retired by the Dodgers?
Original Story:
http://www.bestbythenumbers.com/2009/...
