Carl Furillo

Carl Furillo, the “Reading Rifle,” was one of the most consistent and underrated right fielders of his era. Known for his rifle arm and calm demeanor, Furillo spent his entire 15-year career with the Brooklyn and Los Angeles Dodgers, winning the 1953 National League batting title and contributing to seven pennant, winning teams. He was a quiet craftsman, letting his bat and glove speak for themselves, and his reputation for clutch hitting and defensive brilliance made him a fan favorite among the Dodgers faithful.

In the spring of 1947, Furillo, originally from Reading, Pennsylvania, was the only Northerner who signed a clubhouse petition expressing opposition to playing with a Black teammate. While Dodger president Branch Rickey was able to dissuade Furillo from his stance, his decision to support the brief mutiny reflects the reality that even those whom Robinson would carry to victory held racist views.

Furillo was controversially released by the Dodgers in 1960 and later won a lawsuit against them for unfair dismissal. Yet despite this, Furillo remained proud of his role on the Dodgers. Though he initially opposed Robinson, he is remembered as a part of a golden era in Brooklyn.