Baseball is today mourning the death of legendary Brooklyn Dodger center fielder Duke Snider, who passed away Sunday at the age of 84.
↵Snider, of course, was the Brooklyn part of Willie, Mickey and the Duke in New York during the 1950s.
↵Here is some of the reaction to Snider's death.
↵Legendary Dodgers broadcaster Vin Scully:
↵↵↵"He was an extremely gifted talent, and his defensive abilities were often overlooked because of playing in a small ballpark, Ebbets Field," Vin Scully, the Dodgers' Hall of Fame broadcaster, said in a statement issued by the club. "When he had a chance to run and move defensively, he had the grace and the abilities of [fellow Hall of Famers Joe] DiMaggio and [Willie] Mays, and of course, he was a World Series hero that will forever be remembered in the borough of Brooklyn.
↵"Although it's ironic to say it, we have lost a giant."
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Here is former Dodgers manager Tommy LaSorda:
↵↵↵"I was Duke's teammate and looked up to him with respect. Duke was not only a great player but he was a great person too. He loved his family and loved the Dodgers. He was the true Dodger and represented the Dodgers to the highest degree of class, dignity and character. He was my teammate and friend and I will really miss him."
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Veteran New York baseball writer Bill Madden of the Daily News penned a nice tribute to Snider today, saying in part "The debate as to who was the best center fielder in New York during that period - Willie Mays, Mickey Mantle or Snider - will go on for eternity."
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