Roy Campy Campanella

Roy “Campy” Campanella (1937-1945)

Roy Campanella was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1921. Campanella grew up in Philadelphia playing sandlot baseball with the Nicetown Colored Athletics, Nicetown Giant, Loudensluger Post 366 and Steins Tailors. He also excelled at basketball and was a Golden Gloves boxer. At the age of fifteen he signed his first professional contract to play for the Atlantic City Bacharach Giants in 1936. After a short time with the Bacharach Giants, Campanella was signed by the Baltimore Elite Giants of the Negro National League. Baltimore had Raleigh “Biz” Mackey on their roster when they signed Campanella. Mackey is considered by many as the best defensive catcher in Negro League baseball history. Under the guidance and instruction of Mackey, Campanella would develop into one of the best catchers in baseball history.

Roy Campanella - Brooklyn Dodgers (1948-1957)

Campanella could do it all. He could hit, throw runners out, call an excellent game and play outstanding defense. Over his professional career in Negro League and Major League baseball, Campanella played for the following teams:   


Atlantic City Bacharch Giants             Independent Team                1936

Baltimore Elite Giants                          Negro National League.        1937-1942

Monterrey                                              Mexican League                     1942-1943

Baltimore Elite Giants                          Negro National League         1944-1945

Nashua Dodgers                                  New England League             1946

Montreal Royals                                    International League              1947

St. Paul Saints                                        American Association            1948

Brooklyn Dodgers                                National League                      1948-1957


During the off season, Campanella would play winter league baseball or barnstorm. Campanella played winter league ball in Cuba, Puerto Rico, Mexico and Venezuela. He barnstormed during his career with: Biz Mackey’s All Stars, American All Stars, Jackie Robinson All Stars, Willie Mays All Stars and had his own team called the Roy Campanella All Stars.


In 1946, Campanella turned down a contract offer of $ 5,000 per season from George Pasqual of the Mexican League to sign with the Brooklyn Dodgers. Campanella’s ten-year career (1948-1957) with the Dodgers resulted in numerous personal awards and five National League pennants for the Brooklyn Dodgers. Campanella’s career statistics while playing for the Brooklyn Dodgers are:


Seasons   Games      At Bats     Hits         2B    3B      HR        RBI        Average     Slugging Avg.

  10            1215           4205         1161         178  18       242       856          276                .500


Highlights from Campanella’s professional baseball career include:

  • Negro League career batting average of .353
  • Selected for four Negro League East-West All Star games.
  • East-West All-Star Game Most Valuable Player Award (1941)
  • New England League Most Valuable Player Award (1946)
  • International League Most Valuable Player Award (1947)
  • Eight time selection to National League All Star team 
  • Three time National League Most Valuable Player Award (1951, 1953, 1955)
  • World Series Most Valuable Player Award (1949)
  • International League Baseball Hall of Fame 
  • American Association Baseball Hall of Fame 
  • Mexican League Baseball Hall of Fame (1971)


Campanella's baseball career was tragically cut short in January 1958, when he was left paralyzed from an automobile accident. 

Roy Campanella was inducted to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1969


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