Charlie Neal

Charlie Neal was a dynamic infielder who played a pivotal role on the groundbreaking 1959 Los Angeles Dodgers team, the franchise’s first World Series champion after relocating from Brooklyn. Known for his speed, glove, and pop at the plate, Neal was an All-Star in both leagues and won a Gold Glove at second base. In 1959, he led the Dodgers in home runs and RBIs, while also pacing the club in stolen bases, a rare combination that made him indispensable.

Neal was one of the earliest African American stars in Los Angeles sports bringing his talents to a new audience on the West Coast. In 1962, he was dealt to the New York Mets, who would go on to a record-breaking last place finish. Sixteen years after Jackie Robinson integrated spring training in 1946, Neal and his Black teammates were still banned from the hotel pool. 

Though his career faded after his early peak, Neal’s contributions to the Dodgers’ success cannot be overstated. He represented a new generation of Black athletes who combined talent with poise, helping shape the future of professional sports in America’s growing urban centers.