Don Zimmer takes time out to reflect on former team-mate and friend, Duke Snider
In Bradenton, Florida, Don Zimmer took the time out to talk of his old friend, Duke Snider. The senior advisor to the Tampa Bay Rays was more than ready to talk of his former friend who passed away in California recently. The veteran Snider was 84 years
old and his days with the Brooklyn Dodgers were spent with Zimmer, featuring in the out-field. Don who played infield recalled Snider in his recent condition.
"I knew he's been very sick, and the last couple of weeks I knew he was really bad. ... He's been very sick the last couple of months."
Snider and Zimmer had been part of a club in the Dodgers, known as the ‘Boys of Summer’. Their days in Brooklyn were spent together in the best way. They won two World Series titles on 1954 and 1959. Zimmer recalled that the Dodgers’ out-field had been the
best when Snider, Willie Mays and Mickey Mantle took their rightful positions.
"Duke never got the credit of being the outfielder that Mays and Mantle were. First of all, Ebbets Field was a small ballpark. But Duke was a great outfielder. He was a great player. What can I say, I played with him five years. ... What can I say; this
guy was a great centre fielder and a great hitter."
Zimmer harboured tears when he remembered his friend. The former Dodgers’ man tried to cover his emotions with a chuckle when he talked of Snider’s love of horses. Similar to him, Zimmer also enjoyed the horses.
Zimmer went on to say that Snider was a good man. It was however sad for him to see most of his friends and former team-mates, pass away. He stated that there were not many of them left and that he was one of the guys left standing. He ended his conversation
by saying that he was not going to be here for long, either.
Duke will be remembered by the all the baseball fans around the world for his commitment to the sport.
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