SERIES OF HEROES
Nothing so becomes baseball as the World Series, when champion meets champion and there are no ordinary plays—everything verges on either heroism or tragedy. The National League champions, the Brooklyn Dodgers, are well stocked with heroes—six of whom are pictured in the color photographs on succeeding pages. For instance, huge Don Newcombe (opposite), who is almost certain to be on the mound for Brooklyn when the first game gets under way next Wednesday, was a 20-game winner this season and one of baseball's most impressive figures. To see how Newcombe and the Dodgers compare with their Series rivals, the New York Yankees, turn to page 17 for SI's annual World Series Preview. Detailed scouting reports provide professional information on the strengths and weaknesses of pitchers and hitters. Preview is designed to help you follow the Series, whether there in person or watching on TV.
Gil Hodges, as always a brilliant fielder at first base, proved once again to be even more valuable as a batter, is becoming one of all-time leaders in home runs and runs-batted-in
Captain Pee Wee Reese, shortstop and team player nonpareil, had fine year, here looks to Manager Walt Alston for signal to hit or take
Jackie Robinson was older and didn't play as much. But occasionally—as here, kicking up puffs of dust as he takes daring long lead off third base—he was brilliant Jack of past
Handsome, graying Duke Snider is at 29 the youngest of the "old" Dodgers who have made Brooklyn the league's dominant team for the past seven seasons. His great hitting early this year was a big factor in record Dodger surge
Chunky Roy Campanella puts power from massive thighs and bulging arms into every swing, was key man in Dodger attack
SIX PHOTOS
HY PESKIN