This Day In Dodgers History: Roy Campanella Celebrated In Front Of Record Crowd; Wes Parker Hits For Cycle

"Campanella fractured two vertebrae in his neck, which were repaired in surgery but still left him paralyzed from the shoulders down. More than one year removed from his accident, the legendary catcher was honored on Roy Campanella Night on May 7, 1959. A pregame ceremony celebrated Campanella's achievements over 10 seasons playing for Brooklyn and his courageousness off it."

"The Dodgers arranged for Campanella to be recognized during an exhibition game with the New York Yankees at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum as a means to lessen the costs of his medical care. Campanella received an estimated $60,000 in aid from the Dodgers' gate receipts. In addition to a pregame ceremony, Campanella was honored between the fifth and sixth innings when Pee Wee Reese rolled him onto the field."

"The Coliseum turned off its lights and asked fans to provide ambient lighting with matches and cigarette lighters. The game drew a record attendance of 93,103, and the sentimental moment was later depicted by the Dodgers as a bobblehead giveaway during the 2014 season. The Yankees got to Sandy Koufax and the Dodgers bullpen for a 6-2 victory, but the result of the game carried little to no significance."

"Campanella was a three-time MVP and eight-time All-Star during his career with Brooklyn. The automobile accident unfortunately prevented him from ever playing for the team in Los Angeles and being part of the 1959 club that won the World Series. Campanella had his No. 39 jersey retired by the Dodgers - along with Sandy Koufax and Jackie Robinson - during a pregame ceremony at Dodger Stadium on June 4, 1972."

Roy Campanella’s move with the Dodgers from Brooklyn to Los Angeles was overshadowed by a serious January 1958 automobile accident. He fractured two vertebrae in his neck, underwent surgery, and remained paralyzed from the shoulders down. More than a year later, he was honored on Roy Campanella Night on May 7, 1959, with a pregame ceremony recognizing his achievements over 10 seasons with Brooklyn and his courage off the field. The Dodgers arranged recognition during an exhibition game against the New York Yankees at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum to help cover medical costs, including an estimated $60,000 from gate receipts. The moment included a field tribute and a lights-out fan lighting display, drawing 93,103 attendees. The Dodgers later retired his No. 39, inducted him into the Hall of Fame in 1969, and annually present the Roy Campanella Award.

Read at Dodger Blue