Former Brooklyn Dodger pitcher and three-time MLB All-Star Ralph Branca died on Wednesday in New York. He was 90 years old.
Branca was one of the youngest players in Dodgers franchise history when he debuted at the age of 18 in 1944, just one year younger than current teenage phenom, Julio Urias, did earlier this year.
Branca played a total of 11 seasons for the Boys in Blue from 1944 to 1953 with a brief stint before his retirement in 1956.
“Ralph Branca was a New York native who made his debut as a teenager during World War II and soon became one of the top pitchers for the Brooklyn Dodgers,” Dodgers President and CEO Stan Kasten said. “In 1947, he embraced and welcomed a Dodger rookie named Jackie Robinson, displaying the warmth and dignity that defined his entire life. The Dodger organization has always treasured Ralph and will greatly miss him, and sends condolences to his wife Ann and their family.”
He went 80-58 with a 3.70 ERA, 64 complete games, 12 shutouts, and 19 saves in his Dodger career, but by far his best season was in 1947.
That was the year that a 28-year-old Jackie Robinson broke baseball's color barrier by becoming the first African American to play in the MLB.
Branca saw firsthand the bigotry and blatant racist rhetoric going on throughout the league and the country for that matter, at the time.
Branca saw Robinson greeted with racial slurs and jeers during his inaugural year with the Dodgers and often times it was coming from members of his own team.
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So on Opening Day, Branca proudly stood beside Robinson as fans jeered and booed, even throwing things at the Hall of Fame second baseman.
Despite the fact he was seven years his junior, Branca became one of Robinson's best friends and biggest supporters. He was one of the first players to sit down and eat with him during team meals, and always invited him to participate in team activities.
Even though supporting Robinson meant he was a recipient of a lot of the hateful vitriol himself, Branca went on to have his best season that year, going 21-12 with a 2.67 ERA as he was voted into the All-Star Game.
“Branca to me was a hero. I admired him so much,” said Hall of Fame Manager Tommy Lasorda. “Ralph and I became very close, my family and his family. I always enjoyed being around him. He was a tough one in every way and I really admired him.”
Branca went on to become one of the best pitchers in the postwar era, and played with the Tigers and Yankees. However, much to his dismay, he is probably most known for surrendering "The Shot Heard 'Round the World,'" when he served up a three-run home run to New York Giants infielder Bobby Thompson that capped off a four-run comeback on the last day of the season, handing the rival Giants the NL Pennant.
“I was closer to Ralph than to any other Dodger. We traveled around the world and became very good friends,” Hall of Fame Broadcaster Vin Scully said. “He carried the cross of the Thomson home run with dignity and grace. I was grateful for his friendship and I grieve at his death. He was a great man.”
Ralph Branca has died at the age of 90.
The 3-time All-Star might be remembered most for giving up The Shot Heard 'Round the World in 1951. pic.twitter.com/P5HgvFMSij — Baseball Tonight (@BBTN) November 23, 2016
Branca is also the father-in-law of former Dodger player and MLB manager Bobby Valentine, and the son-in-law of former Dodger owners James and Dearie Mulvey.
A wake in his memory will be held on Monday, Nov. 28 from 4pm to 7pm at Graham Funeral Home in Rye, New York. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday at 11:00AM at the Church of Resurrection. In lieu of flowers, the family is asking all donations to be made to the Baseball Assistance Team.
Heavy heart today with the passing of Ralph Branca. In the face of scrutiny, he was one of Jackie Robinson's biggest allies. Rest easy. pic.twitter.com/8Vj4Zz7m4a — Julian Routh (@julianrouth) November 23, 2016
