Reese, Harold Henry

▪ 2000

“Pee Wee” 

      American baseball player (b. July 23, 1918, Ekron, Ky.—d. Aug. 14, 1999, Louisville, Ky.), was the premier shortstop of his era, leading the Brooklyn Dodgers to seven pennants in the 1940s and '50s, and helped teammate Jackie Robinson, the first African American player in the major leagues, earn acceptance among fellow players. After playing two years in the minor leagues with the Louisville Colonels, Reese debuted with the Dodgers in 1940. The following year he led the team to its first pennant since 1920. After serving (1943–45) in the navy during World War II, he returned to the Dodgers and was an All-Star each year from 1947 to 1954. With Reese as captain, the team won six more pennants (1947, 1949, 1952–53, 1955–56), triumphing in the World Series in 1955. Besides his superb fielding, Reese was an excellent hitter, amassing 2,170 career hits. He also distinguished himself through his sportsmanship and leadership abilities. When Robinson joined the Dodgers in 1947, Reese publicly befriended him, setting an example of tolerance for others to follow. He moved with the Dodgers when the team relocated to Los Angeles in 1958, playing one season there before retiring. Reese coached the Dodgers in 1959, after which he pursued a career in broadcasting and business. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1984.

* * *