Brooklyn Dodger alum Dick Teed passes at age 88

Unless you are among the most passionate of Dodger fan or someone who loves to dabble into Brooklyn Dodgers history, chances are you have never even heard of former Brooklyn Dodger Dick Teed – and with good cause. Teed’s entire professional baseball career consisted of exactly one professional at bat – a pinch hit appearance with the Brooklyn Dodgers on July 23, 1953 (he struck out). But while most Dodger fans may have never heard of Dick Teed, his teammates certainly remember him – teammates named Tommy Lasorda, Don Drysdale, Roger Craig, Charlie Neal, Joe Black, Clem Labine, Roy Campanella, among others.

Although the Dodgers lost to the New York Yankees in six games in the 1953 World Series, that 1953 Brooklyn Dodgers team is still, to this day, considered one of the best Dodgers teams in the 130-year history of the franchise – and Dick Teed was a member of it, even if for only one pinch hit appearance on a hot sunny summer day 61 years ago.

It was learned this morning that Teed passed away on Sunday, August 17, 2014 in Newport, Rhode Island. He was 88 years old.

Dick Teed

Dick Teed

Teed was born March 8, 1926 in Springfield, MA. Like most professional baseball players of his era, Teed served in the U.S. Marine Corps during World War II. After being honorably discharged in 1947, Teed signed with the Brooklyn Dodgers as an amateur free agent and made his one and only MLB appearance with the World Series-bound 1953 Dodgers on July 23, 1953.

In 1961 the (now) Los Angeles Dodgers sold Teed to the Philadelphia Phillies where he became a minor league coach and manager from 1964 to 1967.  In 1968 he became a scout for the Phillies organization, a position he held until 1976.

In 1977 Teed rejoined the Dodgers organization as head scout for the Northeast Region. He remained with the Dodgers until his retirement in 1994.

Teed was inducted into the National Baseball Scouts Hall of Fame at Camden Yards, Baltimore in 2001. He is also enshrined in the Windsor High School Hall of Fame in WindsorMassachusetts.

Teed is survived by his daughters Sharon, Susan and Sandra, his brothers Robert and William, and ten grandchildren.

 

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3 Responses to “Brooklyn Dodger alum Dick Teed passes at age 88”

  1. Bluenose Dodger says:

    I had heard of Dick Teed as a Dodger scout but didn’t know about his one AB with the Dodgers. 1953 and his time with that group of players must have been a very special year for him.

    His best signing was John Franco.

    Thanks for the story Evan.

    Thanks for being a great Dodger Dick.

  2. Ron Cervenka says:

    Thanks for the heads up, Evan. I don’t know what the exact number is now, but there aren’t many Brooklyn Dodgers left – especially The Boys of Summer.

    Dick’s story is yet another example of the incredibly rich history of the Brooklyn Dodgers and why it is so enjoyable to read about and research ‘Dem Bums.’ His story reminds me of Roy Gleason‘s story with the 1963 World Champion (L.A.) Dodgers.

    Although appearing in only one game with only one at bat, Dick Teed made it to the big leagues, and no one can ever take that from his legacy.

    Rest in peace, Dick.

  3. OldBrooklynFan says:

    I don’t recall Dick Teed, at all, but in those days I didn’t follow every Dodger player as much as I do now. I think it would be hard even now to remember a player that had just one at bat, after a few years.
    But he was a Dodger just the same. My condolences to his family and friends and may he rest in piece.

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