The Passing of New York Giants Dusty Rhodes (Centerfield Maz)

James Lamar Rhodes was Born May 13, 1927 in the cotton fieldsof Matthews, Alabama. He would make it to the big city, and become a hero playing a seven year career in the 1950s. The carefree young man missed many a curfew, because he loved drinking, night life & the ladies. 

After six years in the minors,he came up to the NY Giants as a backup outfielder in 1952. Playing in only 67 games, he hit 10 HRs with 36 RBIs. He didn’t care if the pitcher was right or left hander, he just wanted to hit. He became a Leo Durocher favorite, ready anytime he was called upon. Rhodes once said “I could get out of a coffin & get base hit”.

In 1953,in 76 games he hit 11 HRs with 30 RBIs but only batted .233. In the 1954 World Championship season, Rhodes became a NY Giants legend, batting .341 in 82 games, 15 HRs, 50 RBIs, 7 doubles and 31 runs scored. He was often used as a pinch-hitter for Hall of Famer Monte Irvin, and came through with an incredible number of clutch hits, batting .333 as a pinch hitter. Irvin said Rhodes was the best natural hitter he ever saw. 

Post Season: In the 1954 World Series, his legend grew to Biblical proportions as he almost single-handed led the Giants’ to a sweep of the Indians. Game #1 is known for Willie Mays making “The Catch”, but Rhodes was also a hero in that game. In the 10th inning Mays & Hank Thompson walked. Rhodes came to bat as a pinch hitter against Cleveland pitcher Bob Lemon, and blasted a game winning home run in the right field stands.

The next day he had an encore performance, in the 5th inning he came to bat as a pinch hitter again for Irvin. With Mays on 2nd & Thompson on 1st again, Rhodes singled off Hall of Famer Early Wynn tying the game. Thompson would score on pitcher Johnny Antonelli’s ground out to put New York ahead. Then Rhodes then led off the 7th inning with a home run to the short porch in right field to seal the 3-1 win.

In Game #3 Rhodes once again pinch hit for Monte Irvin, this time as early as the 3rd inning. With the bases loaded Rhodes singled off Mike Garcia scoring two runs as the Giants went on to beat Cleveland 6-2 taking a commanding 3-0 Series lead. After Game #3, Sportswriter Red Smith joked : “There’s talk of calling off the 4th game so that “Dusty” Rhodes can give an exhibition of walking on water.” Overall in the World Series, Rhodes hit .667 (4-for-6) 2 HRs, 7 RBIs, 2 runs scored & a walk. He was the toast of the town and instant celebrity.

In 1955 Rhodes enjoyed his last good season, hitting over .300 in 96 games. In 1956 he played in a career high 111 games but only hit .217 with 8 HRs & 33 RBIs. In 1957, he dropped to .205, and was the final batter in the history of the New York Giants, at the Polo Grounds on Sept. 29, 1957.

Rhodes missed the first season in San Francisco and in 1959 hit only .188 in 48 at bats before calling it quits. He said after Leo Durocher left the Giants, baseball wasn’t much fun anymore. Life time Rhodes played in 576 games, hit .253, 54 HRs, 207 RBIs, 54 doubles,& 146 runs scored.

Retirement: He worked as a Pinkerton Security guard at the 1964 World’s Fair, then as a captain on a friends tug boat for 25 years out of Staten Island.
At the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, Rhodes, of Greek heritage, coached the Grecian baseball team. In 2007 Rhodes coached the University of North Florida’s baseball team.

Rhodes passed away on June 17th, 2009 in Las Vegas after battling diabetes and emphysema, he was 82. Willie Mays & Monte Irvin both made statements from their homes saying Rhodes was a dear friend & will be very missed.