Dolph Camilli began his Major League career with the Chicago Cubs, but it was with his second team, the Philadelphia Phillies, that he proved he was an everyday player. The Dodgers took notice and traded for him, feeling that he had another level within him. They were right, as across six seasons in Brooklyn, he served as the premier run-producer for Leo Durocher’s squad.
In his 1938 debut, Camilli reached a plateau of efficiency by leading the National League in walks (119) while belting 24 home runs. He quickly established himself as a professional mainstay, earning his first All-Star selection in 1939 and finishing 12th in the MVP voting in back-to-back years.
Camilli truly shined during the unforgettable 1941 season. He put together an impressive display of offensive skill, leading the National League with 34 home runs and 120 RBIs, and inspiring the Dodgers to their first pennant in more than twenty years. His achievements reached new heights when he was named the National League MVP, showing he was the spark that brought a lively championship spirit back to Ebbets Field. Even in the 1941 World Series against the Yankees, he stood tall as a key player in the middle of the lineup, embodying both the heart and soul of the team. The end of his stay in Brooklyn would not be as pretty.
Believing he was beginning to age out of his prime, the organization finalized a trade that sent him to the rival New York Giants. In a legendary display of loyalty, or perhaps spite, Camilli reached a plateau of defiance and refused to report, choosing instead to go home and manage a team in the Pacific Coast League.
With the Dodgers, Camilli batted .270 with 139 Home Runs and 809 Hits.
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