Don Newcombe

Lore & Background

Newcombe was born in Madison, New Jersey, on June 14, 1926, and was raised in Elizabeth. He had three brothers and a sister. His father worked as a chauffeur. Newcombe attended Jefferson High School in Elizabeth, which did not have a baseball team, so he played semi-professional baseball while attending high school. After playing briefly with the Newark Eagles in the Negro National League in 1944 and 1945, Newcombe signed with the Dodgers. With catcher Roy Campanella, Newcombe played for the first racially integrated baseball team based in the United States in the 20th century, the 1946 Nashua Dodgers of the New England League. He debuted for Brooklyn on May 20, 1949, becoming the third African American pitcher in the major leagues, after Dan Bankhead and Satchel Paige. Effa Manley, business manager for the Eagles, agreed to let the Dodgers' Branch Rickey sign Newcombe to a contract; Manley was not compensated for the release. Newcombe helped the Dodgers to the league pennant in 1949, earning seventeen victories, leading the league in shutouts, and pitching 32 consecutive scoreless innings. He was among the first four black players to be named to an All-Star team, along with teammates Jackie Robinson and Roy Campanella and the Indians' Larry Doby. Newcombe was named Rookie of the Year by both The Sporting News and the Baseball Writers' Association of America. After two years of mandatory military duty during the Korean War, he suffered a disappointing season in 1954 but returned to form in 1955, finishing second in the NL in both wins and earned run average as the Dodgers won their first World Series in franchise history. He had an even greater 1956 season, with marks of 27–7, 139 strikeouts, and a 3.06 ERA, leading the league in winning percentage for the second year in a row. He was named the National League's MVP and awarded the first-ever Cy Young Award. Following the Dodgers' move to Los Angeles, Newcombe got off to an 0–6 start in 1958 before being traded to the Cincinnati Reds. He posted a record of 24–21 with Cincinnati until his contract was sold to Cleveland in mid-1960. He finished with a 2–3 mark in Cleveland before being released. Newcombe acknowledged that alcoholism played a significant role in the decline of his career. On May 28, 1962, he signed with the Chunichi Dragons of Nippon Professional Baseball's Central League, playing one season in

In Their Own Story

The humidity at Ebbets Field hung heavy, thick with the scent of cut grass and anticipation. Don Newcombe stood on the rubber, his eyes locking past the batter to a silent Jackie Robinson in the dugout—a shared glance that spoke volumes of the struggle they had endured together. With a towel wiping sweat from his brow, he wound up, his arm coiling like a spring before snapping forward with violent precision. The fastball didn't just travel; it screamed through the air, a white blur against the deep blue sky, striking home plate and shattering the silence. It was more than an out; it was a declaration that no barrier, social or physical, could ever hold him back.

Reader's Guide

Don Newcombe was a pioneering pitcher for the Brooklyn Dodgers, known for being the first to win Rookie of the Year, MVP, and Cy Young awards. He was the first black pitcher to start a World Series game (1949) and the first black pitcher to win 20 games in a season (1951). He won the National League MVP and the inaugural Cy Young Award in 1956. Newcombe also served two years of mandatory military duty during the Korean War. After his playing career, he worked in community affairs for the Dodgers and as a special adviser to the chairman. A historic marker was installed in Nashua, New Hampshire, in 2023 to celebrate his achievements with Roy Campanella.

Did You Know?

• Newcombe was the first pitcher to win the Rookie of the Year, Most Valuable Player, and Cy Young Awards during his career.
• He was the first black pitcher to start a World Series game (1949) and the first black pitcher to win 20 games in one season (1951).
• In 1956, he became the first pitcher to win the National League MVP and the Cy Young in the same season.
• Newcombe was an excellent hitting pitcher with a career batting average of .271 and 15 home runs.
• He dealt with alcoholism and quit drinking in 1966 after his wife threatened to leave him.