Hall of Fame Major League Baseball Player. He was born on a farm in Meade County, near Ekron, Kentucky, he moved to Louisville, Kentucky with his family when only a child and has always considered the city his hometown. He received his nick name not because of size but his dexterity with shooting marbles as a youth. At the age of 18, quit his job as a cable splicer with the telephone company in 1937 to play for the Louisville Colonels of the American Association. Later that year, the club sold Reese to the Dodgers, breaking into the Major Leagues in 1940. A 15 year career ensued playing shortstop, interrupted only by a three year stint in the Navy during World War II. An eight-time All-Star, Reese sparked the Dodgers to seven National League pennants, leading Brooklyn to its only World Series championship in 1955. He was extremely popular during his playing days in Brooklyn and had the moniker 'The Little Colonel' because of his leadership on and off the playing field. In 1955, the Dodgers threw a party at old Ebbets Field, showering him with $20,000 worth of gifts and 35,000 fans lit candles and sang 'Happy Birthday' to him as the lights went dark in the fifth inning. In his post-baseball life, he worked as a broadcaster with CBS, NBC and the Cincinnati Reds. During the Saturday afternoon 'Game of the Week' telecasts, he was known as Dizzy Dean's 'podner.' He later became director of the college and professional baseball staff at Hillerich & Bradsby, maker of the Louisville Slugger bats. While overcoming prostate cancer years before, he underwent radiation treatment, this time for lung cancer while doctors removed a malignant tumor. Reese was also recovering from a broken hip at the same time. He lost his two year battle for life and died at his home in Louisville at the age of 81.
Hall of Fame Major League Baseball Player. He was born on a farm in Meade County, near Ekron, Kentucky, he moved to Louisville, Kentucky with his family when only a child and has always considered the city his hometown. He received his nick name not because of size but his dexterity with shooting marbles as a youth. At the age of 18, quit his job as a cable splicer with the telephone company in 1937 to play for the Louisville Colonels of the American Association. Later that year, the club sold Reese to the Dodgers, breaking into the Major Leagues in 1940. A 15 year career ensued playing shortstop, interrupted only by a three year stint in the Navy during World War II. An eight-time All-Star, Reese sparked the Dodgers to seven National League pennants, leading Brooklyn to its only World Series championship in 1955. He was extremely popular during his playing days in Brooklyn and had the moniker 'The Little Colonel' because of his leadership on and off the playing field. In 1955, the Dodgers threw a party at old Ebbets Field, showering him with $20,000 worth of gifts and 35,000 fans lit candles and sang 'Happy Birthday' to him as the lights went dark in the fifth inning. In his post-baseball life, he worked as a broadcaster with CBS, NBC and the Cincinnati Reds. During the Saturday afternoon 'Game of the Week' telecasts, he was known as Dizzy Dean's 'podner.' He later became director of the college and professional baseball staff at Hillerich & Bradsby, maker of the Louisville Slugger bats. While overcoming prostate cancer years before, he underwent radiation treatment, this time for lung cancer while doctors removed a malignant tumor. Reese was also recovering from a broken hip at the same time. He lost his two year battle for life and died at his home in Louisville at the age of 81.
Bio by: Donald Greyfield
Inscription
SHORTSTOP & CAPTAIN OF BROOKLYN DODGERS 1940–1957
U.S. NAVY 1943–1945
ANNOUNCED TV GAME OF THE WEEK 1960–1971
ELECTED BASEBALL HALL OF FAME 1984
HIS LEADERSHIP HELPED WIN 7 DODGER PENNANTS
HE EASED THE ACCEPTANCE OF BASEBALL'S FIRST BLACK PLAYER INTO THE MAJOR LEAGUES
HE WAS A LOVED AND GENTLE MAN
Family Members
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