so long, duke

by now you all know duke snider passed away yesterday at the age of 84.  i am too young to have seen him play, but i appreciate the legitimacy he gave to my dodger fandom when the neighborhood giant and yankee fans would talk about willie mays and mickey mantle.  i always had duke in my pocket, along with koufax and drysdale.

one of the first players i sent cards to when i started seeking ttm autographs in 2009 was duke snider.  he obliged me three times, which i am very thankful for.  here are the last three - a 1989 bowman reprint insert

 and a 2004 fleer greats forever dodgers insert

duke was not quite forever a dodger (he finished with the mets and giants) but he was the dodger hall of famer emeritus.  back in 2009, he was the one who started the fantastic opening day parade of former dodgers that climaxed with sandy koufax, don newcombe, and carl erskine throwing out the first pitch.  now that duke is gone, only koufax, lasorda and sutton remain as living dodger hall of famers.

rest in peace, silver fox.