Major League MVP, Civil Rights Pioneer, Madison Native Dies At 92

MADISON, NJ —Don Newcombe was a Madison native, World Series winner, Korean War veteran and Dodgers great who died Tuesday at the age of 92 after a battle with a long-illness, according to officials.

But he may be remembered more for his heroics off the field helping players deal with addiction issues than for his 10 years in the majors, his 20-5 record in 1955, his Rookie of the Year, National League MVP and Cy Young Awards.

Newcombe started his career as a star pitcher in the Negro Leagues before making his debut with the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1949. Newcombe was among the first four African-Americans to play in an All-Star game and is credited along with Jackie Robinson and Roy Campanella as helping integrate major league baseball.

Team President Stan Kasten recalled how he continued to serve as a role model to younger players across the nation.

Don Newcombe (1926-2019) pic.twitter.com/LcFwmeXJ58 — Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) February 19, 2019

"He was a constant presence at Dodger Stadium, and players always gravitated to him for his endless advice and leadership," Dodgers president Stan Kasten said in a statement. "The Dodgers meant everything to him, and we are all fortunate he was a part of our lives."

The Los Angeles Times noted Newcombe broke barriers as an African-American baseball player. He was the first black pitcher to start a World Series game and the first to win 20 games in a single season.

As a retired Dodger, Newcombe won a personal battle against alcoholism and, in 1978, began running the Dodger's drug- and alcohol-abuse program, the Washington Post reported.

“What I have done after my baseball career, and being able to help people [get] their lives back on track and ... become human beings again, means more to me than all the things I did in baseball," Newcombe said, according to the Los Angeles Times.

The Post's obituary notes that Newcombe sent Barack Obama a signed baseball and a congratulatory letter after the 2008 election.

“I realize you’ll have some hard times,” Newcombe reportedly told the soon-to-be president. “But you’ll get through them.”

Newcombe is survived by his wife Karen, daughter Kellye Roxanne, his sons Brett Anthony and Don Jr., and his grandchildren Cayman and Riann, according to an official statement.

The Borough of Madison issued a statement with condolences to the family of its native son.

"We take this time to remember this baseball legend from Madison," officials said in a statement.

(Story contains reporting from Patch staffer Kathleen Culliton)

(Hall of Fame pitcher Don Newcombe throws out the first pitch in honor of his 56 years with the Dodger organization before the game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Arizona Diamondbacks on September 13, 2011 at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

Thanks for reading! Learn more about posting announcements or events to your local Patch site here. Have a news tip you'd like to share? Or maybe you have a press release you would like to submit or a correction you'd like to request? Send an email to russ.crespolini@patch.com

Subscribe to your local Patch newsletter by clicking here. You can also have them delivered to your phone screen by downloading our Apple iOS app here, or by visiting the Google Play store for the Android app here.