Johnny Podres was one of the most successful southpaws in Dodgers history, especially when you look at the postseason.

Debuting for Brooklyn in 1953, Podres came into his own in the 1955 World Series, winning the MVP of a 2-0 record and a 1.00 ERA over the Yankees.  Podres had arrived, but he had to take a year off for military service, though he picked up right where he left off upon his return.

Podres led the NL in ERA (2.66), Shutouts (6), and WHIP (1.082) in what was arguably his finest season in baseball.  He was still an integral player for years to come as the franchise moved to Los Angeles, earning All-Star trips in 1958, 1960, and 1962.

Sandy Koufax had become the undisputed ace of the Dodgers staff, but Podres was still a valuable commodity, with solid contributions in L.A.’s 1959 and 1965 Championships.  Podres was traded to Detroit during the 1966 Season, but by that time, he was no longer a valuable member of the rotation.

With the Dodgers, Podres had a record of 136-104 with 1,331 Strikeouts.

Dolph Camilli began his Major League career with the Chicago Cubs, but it was his second team, the Philadelphia Phillies, where he proved that he was an everyday player.  The Dodgers took notice and traded for him, feeling that he had another level in him.  They were right.

Becoming a Dodger in 1938, Camilli led the NL in Walks that year and did so again in 1939, his first All-Star Game season.  Camilli continued to smack Home Runs, belting at least 23 in his first two years in Brooklyn, with the latter two years seeing the First Baseman finish 12^th in MVP voting, but the best was still ahead of him.

Camilli won the 1941 MVP when he led the NL in Home Runs (34) and RBIs (120) while going to his second All-Star Game.  He had another good season in 1942, but the Dodgers saw that he was aging out, and he was traded to the New York Giants during the 1943 Season.  Camilli refused to report to the Giants and would only play one more half-season in the Majors with the Red Sox in 1945.

With the Dodgers, Camilli batted .270 with 139 Home Runs and 809 Hits.

We are losing too many legends already in this short year.

Rock and Roll superstar, Jeff Beck passed away today at the age of 78.  He first gained international attention as a member of the Yardbirds, and his blues-infused style made him one of the most admired guitarists of his era.  The Yardbirds also featured Jimmy Page and Eric Clapton (before Beck joined), and generated the hits, “Heart Full of Soul”, “For Your Love”, and “Shapes of Things”, but like Clapton, Beck left the band in 1966 and formed his own group.

As a solo, or leading the Jeff Beck Group, Beck remained amongst the apex of rock guitarists.  There were no styles he couldn’t blend, and his pioneering work of feedback and distortion are legendary.  Beck did not have the hits, or even the album sales, but the respect was there, and it is no accident that he won eight Grammys and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice; one with the Yardbirds and one as a solo.

We here at Notinhalloffame.com would like to extend our condolences to the fans, friends and family of Jeff Beck. 

Following his military service, Carl Furillo debuted in Brooklyn in 1946. He was a right-handed outfielder known for his quiet professionalism unlike the more famous "Boys of Summer." Nicknamed "The Reading Rifle" for his feared arm, he was the master of the high right-field wall at Ebbets Field.

While Furillo initially commenced his career in center field, he achieved a pinnacle of versatility upon transitioning to right field, where he acquired the skill to interpret nearly 300 different trajectories of baseballs rebounding from the complex surface of the Ebbets Field walls. He owned the position, recording at least 10 assists in nine successive seasons and twice leading the league in this category. By 1949, he reached a new level of offensive excellence, batting .322 with 106 RBIs and finishing sixth in the MVP voting, thereby substantiating his capabilities beyond defensive prowess.

In 1953, Furillo secured the National League Batting Title with a .344 batting average, representing the highest mark achieved by a right-handed Dodger in the modern era at that time. Although he suffered a broken hand in a brawl against the Giants, which effectively ended his regular season in September, he notably returned for the Fall Classic, thereby reinforcing his reputation as a significant contributor in high-stakes games. Furthermore, he was a consistent presence for the 1955 World Series champions, hitting a career-high 26 home runs and playing a pivotal role in Brooklyn's first world championship.

After moving to Los Angeles with the team and contributing to the 1959 World Series victory, Furillo tore a calf muscle early the next year. He was released by the organization in May, sparking a lengthy legal battle in which Furillo claimed the team released him to dodge paying his 15-year pension. Although he won a court settlement, the dispute essentially blacklisted him from professional baseball.

He exited baseball with 1,910 Hits, 192 Home Runs, and a Batting Average of .299.