Ray Dandridge
| Birthdate | 8/31/1913 |
| Death Date | 2/12/1994 |
| Debut Year | 1933 |
| Year of Induction | 1987 |
| Teams | Negro Leagues |
| Position | Third Base |
Ray Dandridge compared his defensive prowess to a 13-time Gold Glover saying, “Ozzie (Smith) is the onliest guy I’ve seen who’s got my style.”
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His first year in integrated ball, Dandridge hit .362 in Triple-A in 1949 at age 36
His first year in integrated ball, Dandridge hit .362 in Triple-A in 1949 at age 36
A brilliant fielder with a canon for an arm, Ray Dandridge also hit for a high average.
Two years after Jackie Robinson broke baseball’s color barrier, Dandridge played for the New York Giants Triple-A Minneapolis Millers
Already 36 years old, Dandy hit .362 with 144 hits and 64 RBI in only 99 games. He also led American Association third basemen in fielding percentage.
For that he was selected as the league’s Rookie of the Year. The following season he was even more dominant and won the league’s MVP Award.
Looking back one would think that such a performance would lead to a big-league promotion to the Giants. Historians say there may have been an informal quota system that kept Dandridge and others from ever playing in the Majors.
In this handwritten letter Ray Dandridge gives famed bat company Hillerich and Bradsby permission to produce two dozen of his bats.
Buck O'Neil lists Ray Dandridge on his All Time Negro League team
Buck O'Neil lists Ray Dandridge on his All Time Negro League team
Fellow Cooperstown man Monte Irvin said of the third baseman, “Dandridge didn’t get the chance to play in the majors, but he had major league talent. He was a superstar.”
In 1987 Hall of Fame voters recognized Dandridge’s as one of the greatest to play the game. The legendary Buck O’Neil also lists Dandridge as the third baseman on his All Time Negro League All Stars.
A quick glance down the list finds it peppered with other Hall of Fame players.
Ray Dandridge became Cooperstown's 11th Negro Leaguer on July 26, 1987
Ray Dandridge became Cooperstown's 11th Negro Leaguer on July 26, 1987
The establishment of baseball’s color line deprived a wide swatch of society from making a living. It also deprived many baseball fans from seeing the best the game has to offer.
Negro League third baseman Ray Dandridge was one of the most complete ball players of his day or any other. A slick fielder with a strong arm, Dandridge was a threat on both sides of the ball.
According to BaseballReference.com, Dandridge owned a .321 lifetime batting average.
The Veterans Committee made Dandridge the 11th Negro Leaguer in the Hall in 1987. He joined writers’ selections five-time World Series champ Jim “Catfish” Hunter and Sweet Swinging Billy Williams of the Oakland A’s.
Together the three men were inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame on July 26, 1987. Shown here is an invitation to the ceremony. Williams’ signature appears at the bottom.
