Former Brooklyn and Los Angeles Dodgers all-time great Don Newcombe passed away on Tuesday at the age of 92 following a lengthy battle with an illness.
Newcombe, a former Rookie of the Year, World Champion, Cy Young and MVP winner, is known for being one of the first African-American pitchers in MLB history. He’s been heralded as one of the major trendsetters that led to the equality we see in the game today.
In talking about the passing of the all-time great, the legendary former Dodgers broadcaster Vin Scully had some poignant remarks.
“Don Newcombe was a big man in every way. He had a big trophy case (MVP, Cy Young and Rookie of the Year winner),” Scully said, via Bill Plunkett of the Orange County Register. “Don was admired by Dr. Martin Luther King and he was a big champion in the fight for equality along with Jackie Robinson.”
There are certain figures that transcend the sports world. More so than his success on the field, Newcombe was a pioneer in America’s civil rights movement. Scully was along for the ride for the vast majority of that time.
Given that he made his MLB debut with Jackie Robinson on the Dodgers, that’s magnified even further.
Obviously, we echo the sentiment of Scully as he mourns not only a larger-than-life figure but someone he was close to throughout his career.