In this All Sports History video, we’ll learn about the tragic car accident that changed the life of Brooklyn Dodgers legend Roy Campanella. This video explores the impact of the accident on his career, personal life, and the legacy he left behind. Gain insight into this pivotal moment in baseball history and the resilience of one of the sport’s most beloved players.
This short Roy Campanella Documentary includes:
After spending ten seasons playing baseball in the Negro Leagues, Roy Campanella finally made his Major League Baseball debut for the Brooklyn Dodgers on April 20, 1948, one year after Brooklyn Dodgers Jackie Robinson broke the modern day color barrier in the sport. Over the next few years, Campanella continued to play at an elite level, earning eight all star appearances from 1949 through 1956, while also earning three MVP awards in 1951, ‘53, and ‘55. His multi-MVP run, cemented Campanella as one of the great catchers of his era and in Brooklyn Dodgers history. ESPN even ranked him as the fifth best catcher of all time, only behind Johnny Bench, Josh Gibson (one of the great catches in Negro Leagues Baseball), Yogi Berra, and Carlton Fisk. The 1955 season would become arguably the highlight year of Campanella’s career, after not only earning his third MVP award, but also helping the Brooklyn Dodgers win World Series 1955.
On January 28, 1958 – At 3:34 in the morning, his car hit an icy patch on the road. A suddenly awoken Campanella stepped on the brakes, which caused the ‘57 Chevy sedan to skid off the street and collide with a telephone pole. The traumatic incident left him paralyzed from the shoulders down, putting a permanent end to his playing days in baseball.
The Los Angeles Dodgers wanted to honor Campanella, so on a memorable night, on May 7, 1959 the Dodgers held a special celebration of Campanella called, “Roy Campanella Night”. The New York Yankees actually agreed to fly to Los Angeles, and play the Dodgers in a one-off exhibition game. The Roy Campanella night coliseum crowd was then a record attending event of 93,103, the largest ever crowd to watch a Major League Baseball game at that time.
The Roy Campanella accident, and his life post-accident would become a testament to the power of perseverance, as he continued to contribute to baseball, becoming a mentor, coach, and symbol of hope for those facing adversity. Later, Campanella would be honored with a park, Roy Campanella Park, and a feature film depicting his life story. The Roy Campanella movie was called, “Its Good To Be Alive”. His story remains a poignant reminder of the human capacity to triumph over adversity with grace and resilience.
So what did you guys think about the car accident that tragically ended Roy Campanella’s MLB playing career? Do you agree with ESPN ranking him as the fifth best catcher of all time? Where would you place him in Negro Leagues History and MLB history? Let me know in the comments below!
WHAT REALLY HAPPENED IN THE ROY CAMPANELLA CAR ACCIDENT? / Dodgers Legend-Roy Campanella Documentary
[Music] on January 28th 1958 a near tragedy struck as Brooklyn Dodgers catcher boy Campanella was involved in a serious car accident leaving him almost fully paralyzed in today’s video we’ll take a look back at how the incident would forever change Roy campanella’s life and the Dodgers franchise before we get started I just want to say welcome to All Sports history this is a channel where you’ll find many sports documentaries on sports leagues like the NFL MLB NBA NHL and much more so please consider subscribing and hitting the notification Bell if you don’t want to miss any of those okay let’s get back to today’s [Music] video after spending 10 seasons playing baseball in the Negro Leagues Roy Campanella finally made his Major League Baseball debut for the Brooklyn Dodgers on April 20th 1948 one year after Jackie Robinson broke the modern day color barrier in the sport Kell’s impact on the Dodgers was immediate becoming a regular starter as catcher for the team by July 1948 a bus position he would hold for most of the following decade over the next few years Campanella continued to play at an elite level earning eight All-Star appearances from 1949 through 1956 while also earning three MVP awards in 1951 53 and 55 his multi MVP run cemented Campanella as one of the great catchers of his era ESPN even ranked him the fifth best catcher of all time only behind Johnny Bench Josh Gibson Yogi Bara and Carlton Fisk the 1955 season would become arguably the Highlight year of campanella’s career after not only earning his third MVP award but also helping the Dodgers finally get over the hump of winning a world series title the Dodgers had previously come up short in the 10 World Series appearances before that earning the franchise an underdog Blue Collar appeal that matched the attitude of the local Brooklyn Fans who followed the team the Afterglow of the world series title would be somewhat shortlived however as the team’s owner Walter om Ali announced in May of 1957 that the Dodgers would be moving West to Los Angeles for the start of the 1958 season for all the accolades campanell received on the field he kept pretty busy off the field as well he owned and operated a liquor store in Harlem New York about 25 mi from his home in Glen Cove on the night of January 28th 1958 Campanella locked up his store just before 1:00 a.m. and got into his rented 1957 Chevrolet sedan his everyday car a 58 Chevy wagon was being serviced at the time so it was unavailable to him just as campanello was nearing the end of his trip back home he apparently began to fall asleep behind the wheel at 3:34 in the morning his car hit an icy patch on the road he suddenly awoken Campanella stepped on the brakes which caused the 57 Chevy sedan to Skid off the street and collide with a telephone pole the car also managed to flip over during the skid breaking campanella’s neck in the process he later recalled laying in the driver’s seat wanting to turn the car ignition off worrying that the car might catch on fire but after attempting to reach the car keys he realized that he had no feeling in his arms or legs so he just laid there after being rushed to the hospital it was revealed that he had suffered a compressed spinal cord and fractures to his fifth and sixth vertebrae the traumatic incident left him paralyzed from the shoulders down putting a permanent end to his playing days in baseball I just want to pause real quick to ask if you’re enjoying this video so far please hit the like button and don’t forget to subscribe as well okay let’s get back to the video after the incident Kella found ways to remain active in the sport that he loved he was hired by the Dodgers as an assistant supervisor for Scouting For the club in 1959 while also helping Mentor upand cominging catchers and the Dodgers farm system on a memorable night on May 7th 1959 the Dodgers held a special celebration called Ro Campanella night the New York Yankees actually agreed to fly to Los Angeles and play the Dodgers in a one-off exhibition game the event was held in front of a record crowd of 93,00 the largest ever crowd to watch a major league baseball game at the time but most importantly all of the night’s proceeds went to help campanella’s medical expenses 10 years after the special night at the Los Angeles Coliseum Campanella was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1969 he became only the second black player inducted to the Hall of Fame after Jackie Robinson was the first inducted in 1962 and speaking of Jackie Robinson in 1972 both Robinson Campanella and Sandy kofax all had their jersey numbers retired by the Dodgers organization in the same ceremony together Keel would later move to California to continue working with the Dodgers and he would spend the rest of his life connected to the franchise campell’s life post accident became a testament to the power of perseverance as he continued to contribute to baseball becoming a mentor coach and a symbol of Hope for those facing adversity his story remains a poignant reminder of the human capacity to triumph over adversity with Grace and resilience so what did you guys think about the car accident that tragically ended boy Kel’s playing career do you agree with ESPN ranking him the fifth best catcher of all time where would you place him let me know in the comments below also you could now support the channel by leaving a super thanks anytime you want to comment this would be greatly appreciated and would go a long way in helping the channel out so thanks for supporting the channel and thanks for [Music] watching
25 Comments
Hey Sports Historians! What did you guys think about the car accident that tragically ended Roy Camapenlla’s playing career? Do you agree with ESPN ranking him as the fifth best catcher of all time? Where would you place him? Let me know in the comments below!
Campy was a contemporary of Yogi and they had very similar statistics while they were both playing. Both in my opinion were better than Fisk and very close if not equal to Bench. I can’t comment on Josh Gibson as I never had the opportunity to see him play. I’m grateful to have seen Campy play in Brooklyn. And he was a wonderful ambassador for the game after the accident.
This is very sad what happen Roy . How ever I do believe that Yadier Molina should be on this list.
Top catchers of all time–ghard to put them in order but Yogi is there…Bench is there….Is Piazza based on offensive numbers? Kinda have to think so yeah…Fisk has great numbers as does Ivan Rodriguez…and add Mickey Cochrane to the mix….I put Campy at maybe #4 of 5 def after Bench, Berra, but after that–it gets blurry at least for me…full disclosure–Dodger fan since Brooklyn.
Not many people in the U.S. can claim they never, ever, even once, got behind the wheel either impaired, or drunk. Some of us got lucky, some of us didn't. Some of us can drive better while drunk than other people can. Roy gambled, and lost. Tragic? Yes. Avoidable? Also yes….
Yep……
Even though I lived in California I was a Dodger fan and Roy Campanella was my idol because I was also a catcher. My parents bought me in 1960 For my 15th birthday Roy Campanella signature catcher MIT. I'm 79 and I still have that mid in my basement And I put it on my hands every once in a while. I used it all through my high school and American Legion career. I had it restrung at least two times. Ranking players is very difficult, but he has to be one of the very best.
He was before my time but tree MVPs when they really were MVPs and 8 All Star selections when baseball was America's sport. He was head and shoulders above the 4 father's picked above him. As an aside I saw Roy Campanella as a proud Italian American who also happened to be Black. He was a great Brooklyn Dodger and there is a photo of him in his wheel chair at the old Polo Grounds when it was being demolished.
One correction
The Dodgers did not announce there move until after the 57 ended
Not in May
Roy wasn't just a great ball player he was a great man….He respected the game and gave alot back……He played in an era where he faced massive discrimination in addition to having to hold a job in the off season because he wasn't paid what athletes make today…Roy like all of the minority ball players of that era laid the ground work of what minority players enjoy today….i would rank Roy ahead of the great Carlton Fisk….Roy was a true champion.
This is a fantastic subject.
I do have a few suggestions:
How did the 1970 Marshall Thundering Herd plane crash change college football?
What happened to the Pac 12?
What happened to the San Diego Chargers?
What happened to the New Orleans Jazz?
What happened to the WCW?
Yeah Campy is easily in the top 10 and 5 is not overboard. I was 9 when I heard about the crash and his paralysis and cried. Though I lived an hour's drive from what was then Sportsman's Park in St. Louis when Stan Musial was just past midway in his career that would make him the yet to be cannonized but certainly beatified 1st Saint of the St. Louis Cardinals. Despite that fact, I became a lifelong Dodger fan in 1955 when as a 3 foot tall 55 pound 1st grader I tried to get Don Newcome's autograph at the ball park one afternoon. Just as I got close to where he was sitting and signing for people, he waved every kid off and stood to warm up. He was the biggest man i have ever seen in my LIFE. to that time. In his road greys he looked like a fog bank had rolled in. Then I watched him warm up throwing softly at first and then really leting go, so much that the catcher ( not Campy) was wincing very time the ball met leather. Well I was hooked and have been a Dodger fan as long as Lasorda. I say that even though the Dodgers a.) traded Newk to Cincinnati b.)moved to LA the year after I was there on vacation and c,) broke my heart more times than I can count over the years.
id say in the top 4 at least
He was the most nicest man I have ever met in my life time. He had a heart that is bigger than a baseball field.
Considering how long he played in the Negro League prior to '48, I think his total career outshines almost all the other catchers, save maybe Bench and Berra. And even THAT is open to debate.
I have to say that owners are known for being stingy a-holes who care little about their players. But I gotta give credit to the Dodgers for not turning their backs on Campanella. Also, there's been a player named Andrew Toles who played four them and hasn't picked up a ball in YEARS, yet he's still under contract on the inactive roster. Andrew Toles was a promising player who suffered a mental breakdown that prevented him from playing. He wound up in a schizophrenic state on the streets. His family eventually found him and are helping him get the help he needs. And the Dodgers are keeping him on the team so that he has access to the insurance needed for that help. Much respect to the Dodgers for that.
I think if Roy Campanella’s tragic accident never happened, he will played in Los Angeles of at least 3 years and he probably included in the 1959 championship team. Also, John Roseboro will still the backup catcher for Roy.
Just found your channel. Love it. Good work.
Personally would love a slightly different style of video. Its always intro, like/subscribe, part 1, i hope you like this or that, part 2, I hope you enjoyed the video. It is fine and dandy but if that is all you do it gets stale and sadly that is what it does. I have to skip some parts of the videos as a result. Sorry but that is what I need to do to even watch them now.
it's brcause of robert moses .move to california .robert moses did not want to bild a new stadium in brooklyn.even mayo wagner was nery upset .robert moses was a cheap bastard .
This was a really good video of a very brave man.
Thanks
He was driving home from his Harlem liquor store in early 1958 to his home on the north shore of Long Island and hit a patch of ice . He grew up in the Nicetown neighborhood of Philadelphia
My late Mother was involved in an accident that broke her neck. Fortunately, it didn’t paralyzed her; but the last 20-25 years of her life (she was 80 when she passed away) were miserable. Bone spurs developed, she could have had surgery but was afraid of the non-positive outcome.
In my opinion when I look at a Ball player I always include what kind of person they were..HOF player and HOF guy