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Preacher Roe Obituary
Roe died Sunday in West Plains, Mo., said the funeral home handling the arrangements. His own Web site listed his age as 92 — other reference materials differed by a year or two.
Roe went 127-84 in a 12-year career with the Dodgers, Pittsburgh and St. Louis. But it was in Brooklyn, where he played alongside the likes of Pee Wee Reese, Jackie Robinson, Gil Hodges, Ralph Branca and others at Ebbets Field, where he enjoyed his greatest success and acclaim.
Though those Dodgers teams of the 1940s and 1950s won only one World Series — Roe was part of three teams that lost to the New York Yankees — they became a beloved part of the borough. And Roe, a skinny left-hander and mathematics teacher from a small town in Arkansas, was among the fan favorites in the big city.
Roe led the NL in strikeouts in 1945 with Pittsburgh. He posted his best season in 1951, going 22-3 for the Dodgers.
Roe helped put the Dodgers into the World Series in 1949, 1952 and 1953. He started a game in each of those matchups with the Yankees, going 2-1 and completing all three outings.
Known for his sharp control, Roe finished with a career 3.43 ERA and pitched 101 complete games. After retiring, Roe admitted in a Sports Illustrated story that he had benefited for years by throwing a spitball.
Copyright © 2008 The Associated Press
25 Entries
C F
April 4, 2014
God Bless
Jim Medley
October 16, 2013
When I was about 8 or 9 years old (1971), on the way to attending my Dad's family reunion in Mountain Home, AR, my Dad pulled into the parking lot of a grocery store in West Plains, MO. My Mom asked him why in the world he did, since we didnt need anything at the store. He just told me to get out and come into the store with him. We walked back to the back of the store, and my Dad introduced me to an old friend of his. I shook his hand and just stood there shifting from foot to foot as he and my Dad talked. Years later, I recalled this memory when watching a documentary of the Brooklyn Dodgers. I had no idea that my Dad had introduced me to Preacher Roe that day, or the significance of the introduction. My Dad just passed away about 4 months ago, and I became nostalgic thinking about all of Dad's old baseball stories and happened on this Obituary guest book. My Dad was Rex Medley. His brother's Jerry, Neal, and Mac all played baseball against Preacher, and Dad always told me that his Dad, Mack Medley, and Preacher's Dad, Doc Roe, were good friends. My Dad was a teacher, principal, and coach, and reading about Preacher, reminded me so much of Dad. I think they must have been cut from the same cloth. I know this is a late entry, but, please accept my condolences for the loss of such a fine man.
Ted Wilson
October 14, 2013
living near Asheville, N.C., in the early fifties, the Brooklyn Dodgers were my favorite baseball team, and preacher roe was my favorite player.
marvin zalmon
November 24, 2008
i have know preacher for 61 years.i have lost a great friend.my prayers go out to elwin & tommy and there families.be strong. and preacher till we meet again,at the big ball park. marvin zalmon
How you can show support
Gerald Doolen
November 14, 2008
Regrets.
Kathy Bonham
November 14, 2008
I have not been able to speak to the family personally, however i'm sending my deepest sympathy to each of you.Words are expressd, yet we know only God can and will provide for your family today. May YOU have undeserved kindness and peace from God our Father and [the] Lord Jesus Christ.Soon“He [God] will wipe out every tear from our eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore.”—Revelation 21:4.
Tom Pillion
November 13, 2008
I was an ardent Yankee fan during my little league years in the '50's, but I had a lot of respect and admiration for Preacher Roe and his ability to "inflict pain" upon the Yankee teams. :-) God bless you all and thank you for the great memories.
CARL SMITH
November 13, 2008
THE SPORT OF BASEBALL HAS LOST ONE OF THERE FINIEST. TRULY ONE OF THE GREATS, YOU MADE THE GAME BETTER THAN MOST!!
Thomas Widgeon
November 13, 2008
Jesus Loves Me!!!!
Richard (Dick) Siler
November 12, 2008
Thanks for al the good memories.
A friend of John Roseboro.
Chay
November 12, 2008
To the Family, May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well-lived.
ROBERT (BOB) DAVIS
November 12, 2008
I just loved "PREACHER", I had his baseball card with me for years even though I was from Central Ohio. I was a big DODGER fan and ROOTED FOR THE PREACHER all the time. I went to see the DODGERS @ Crosley, but Carl Erskine pitched and the PREACHER signed my scorecard. Rest in Peach.
Henryk Zaleski
November 12, 2008
Rest in peace.
Jim Downey
November 12, 2008
Thank you Preacher Roe, you made my life great in the summers of the 40s while I listened to the Dodgers on my radio that I had strong out on my bedroom wall. Rest In Peace.
Mike Dugan
November 11, 2008
Preacher Roe a gentlemen and a Boy of the Summer.
Thanks for giving joy to us the fans of Brooklyn.
Kathryn Morris
November 11, 2008
I met Preacher several years ago. He was a wonderful person. He truly cared about West Plains and he loved baseball. I enjoyed reading the book he wrote a few years ago. You will be greatly missed. I'm glad to claim West Plains as my hometown and to say that I knew Preacher Roe.
Hinson
November 11, 2008
Dear Roe Family:
I am so sorry that Mr. Preacher Roe has died. I am big fan of his. He was on my favorite team, the Brooklyn Dodgers. I am eight years and I collect cards with my grandfather, so that is how I know about Mr. Roe. My Poppie told me about it and I was terribly sad, and I hope you will feel better soon.
Love, the Hinson Family
chuck Limbaugh
November 11, 2008
I was a sub batboy in cubs park in 1952 , visting team dodgers , realy a nice bunch of ball players , I got dressed by roes stall , what a great homespin storys he told , I am now 70 ,RIP when sports were greats.
D, ZIMMERMAN
November 11, 2008
REST IN PEACE PREACHER ROE
Leon Hirsh
November 11, 2008
I became a long distance friend of Preacher, over the last several years, through his special friend, Betty Garnett. Preacher wrote a wonderful book about his life and his baseball career. This work belongs in the library of every baseball fan.....and, with some marketing, could be sold at Dodger Stadium as well as bookstores in Brooklyn. We native Cincinnatians have a keen appreciation for baseball history. Preacher will be best remembered for his pitching mastery against the Yankees and his training of Sandy Koufax (who pitched for the University of Cincinnati.........and then wound up in Brooklyn!!!!!). My heart goes out to all of Preacher's family and friends.....and especially Betty.
A. P.
November 11, 2008
As a kid growing up in Philly I remember Preacher Roe he aided me in becoming avid baseball fan that I am now
Thanks Preacher Rest with the Lord
A.P. in Philly
Catherine
November 11, 2008
Catherine
Harry Simpson
November 11, 2008
Thank you for sharing a part of your life with us.
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