Hall of Fame Major League Baseball Player. He played Major League Baseball for ten seasons as a catcher for the Brooklyn Dodgers. Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, he was a member of the Negro Leagues' Baltimore Elite Giants from 1937 to 1942. In 1948, he joined the Brooklyn Dodgers until 1957. During his career, he was in five World Series, 1949, 1952, 1953, 1955, and 1956. He hit 242 home runs during his career. He was the Most Valuable Player in 1951, 1953, and 1955. In January of 1958, he was in a car accident and was confined to a wheelchair for the rest of his life. In 1969, he was inducted to the National Baseball Hall of Fame, and on June 4, 1972, the Dodgers (now in Los Angeles, California), retired his uniform number 39. In 1999, he was listed as #50 on the 100 Greatest Baseball Players of All Time, and, in 2006, he was commemorated on a United States postage stamp.

Hall of Fame Major League Baseball Player. He played Major League Baseball for ten seasons as a catcher for the Brooklyn Dodgers. Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, he was a member of the Negro Leagues' Baltimore Elite Giants from 1937 to 1942. In 1948, he joined the Brooklyn Dodgers until 1957. During his career, he was in five World Series, 1949, 1952, 1953, 1955, and 1956. He hit 242 home runs during his career. He was the Most Valuable Player in 1951, 1953, and 1955. In January of 1958, he was in a car accident and was confined to a wheelchair for the rest of his life. In 1969, he was inducted to the National Baseball Hall of Fame, and on June 4, 1972, the Dodgers (now in Los Angeles, California), retired his uniform number 39. In 1999, he was listed as #50 on the 100 Greatest Baseball Players of All Time, and, in 2006, he was commemorated on a United States postage stamp.