This is a series I have been thinking about doing for a while. I want to profile players who played for the Dodgers in both Brooklyn and Los Angeles, who were not huge stars, but players who contributed to the team while they were members. The first spotlight is on third baseman Billy Cox.
William Richard Cox was born on August 29, 1919, in Newport Pennsylvania. His father Fred worked at a local tannery and played semi-pro ball. His mother, Mary, passed away when Billy was eight. He was one of a family of nine. Billy showed a passion for the game early in his life and said he started playing stickball with local children when he was about seven using a broomstick and a tennis ball. As a kid, when there was no one to play ball with, Cox would stand by the railroad track and hit rocks with a stick. By the age of 10, it was said he could field like a man.
Cox had a difficult childhood as his father struggled during the depression when the tannery closed, but he managed to get a job with Federal Work Administrative Program. Still, with a large family to feed, life was not easy. Cox starred for his high school team, which won 21 of 24 games his last two seasons. After graduation, he played semi-pro ball against some pretty strong competition.
His first shot at pro ball came in 1938 when a Pirate scout convinced the team to send him to their class D Valdosta Ga. team for a tryout. He did not have any clothes, so the scout organized a collection and they sent him off. He returned a month later saying he was just too lonely. The Pirates scout, John Breckenridge said that Cox was impressive at the tryout, but became homesick and left before he could sign a contract. The Pirates forgot about him, but Breckenridge did not.
He got him to sign a contract with Harrisburg, who had re-entered the Class B Interstate League for 1940 as an independent team. He had a solid season with the Senators hitting .288. The next season he tore up the league hitting .363, 27 points higher than the runner-up. He also had a 22 game hitting streak. His performance drew the attention of Pie Traynor, a former Pirate player who was now scouting for the team.
In August of 1941, the Pirates purchased him from the Harrisburg team for 20,000 dollars. At the time reported to be one of the largest sums paid for a player. During his time in Harrisburg Cox met his future wife. It is told by his daughter that Anna Radle, her mother, had a dad who regularly took her to Senators games. The daughter also was reasonably certain that her mother was the pursuer, not the pursuee.
Billy played well as the replacement at SS for Arky Vaughn, as Vaughn slid over to third base. Frank Frisch, the Pirate manager, said he thought the Pirate lineup would be the same for the next season and they considered Cox the best Pirate SS since Glenn Wright. But when the US entered the war in December, Cox’s baseball future was put on hold the same as many other young men.
He was inducted into the Army on February 9, 1942. For a while, he was stationed at the New Cumberland Reception Center just outside of Harrisburg. The center would process over 500,000 Pennsylvania residents who entered the service.
In June of 1943, he was sent overseas as a member of the 814th Signal Corps. They followed the combat troops through North Africa, Sicily, and Italy. They were tasked with laying common wire and setting up communication centers.
In November of 1945, Cox was discharged from the Army and married Anna Radle 12 days later. When Cox showed up for spring training in 1946 manager Frisch proclaimed we have to of the brightest young stars in the game. Hall of Famer and former Pirate SS, Honus Wagner agreed. The other player was outfielder, Ralph Kiner.
Cox was thankful to be home and able to resume his baseball career even though he had lost 4 prime years. I’m not kicking, I went through four years of war and came out whole, so I am pretty lucky. Cox did not have any physical wounds, but his malaria would flare up now and then and he had trouble keeping his weight up. He never carried more than 150 pounds on his 5’10” frame. There were times when he would drop down close to 130. He was prone to injuries and he appeared in more than 132 games only once and had more than 500 plate appearances only twice.
Like so many combat veterans, he had emotional scars. He repressed those memories as much as possible. Harold Burr of the Brooklyn Eagle wrote about one incident though when the Pirates were playing in Boston and a ballpark fireworks display sent Cox diving for cover in the dugout. The roar of the crowd could trigger a moment of terror. Cox told his teammates he was never wounded, but his helmet was once blown off by an explosion.
His glove was his foundation of fame, but there were times when he could show surprising power. On August 16, 1947m he slammed two HR’s on a night when the Pirates hit ten. Greenburg had two and Kiner hit three. First time in the history of baseball that three teammates hit two or more homers.
Just when Cox thought he had found a home, he was traded with his friend, Preacher Roe and Gene Mauch to the Dodgers for Dixie Walker, Hal Gregg, and Vic Lombardi on December 8, 1947. It is still considered one of the best trades in Dodger history. Walker, who had been a mainstay in the Brooklyn outfield for years, and who was known as the “Peoples Cheerce”, had become expendable for his role in the anti-Robinson petition in the spring.
Through all his years in Brooklyn, Cox would battle a player for the starting position. First, it was Spider Jorgensen. Others would follow, Eddie Miksis, Bobby Morgan, and Rocky Bridges. Cox, whose nickname was Hoss, or Horse, would tell Preacher Roe when he was pitching not to worry, just let ’em hit it and ol’ Hoss will snip it for you.
Cox played a role in the Dodger’s successful World Series runs. He hit .302 in three fall classics, 49, 52, 53. His glove kept him on the field, but his bat was steady also. He had few friends on the team besides Roe and Duke Snider. He and Roe were avid poker players. He once wrote a 200 dollar check and dropped it in the pot. After he won the hand, he tore the check-up and remarked to the other players, “if my wife had seen a canceled 200 dollar check, she would have killed me!”.
Billy’s playing time began to be limited in 1953 when Dressen wanted the young Jim Gilliam to play every day and moved Jackie Robinson to third, making Billy a reserve player. In 1954 Alston came aboard as the new manager, and Cox and Roe did not see eye to eye with the new skipper. After a disappointing season in 1954, both Cox and Roe were sold to the Baltimore Orioles. Roe decided to retire, but Cox embraced the chance for a fresh start.
He won the third base job, but a .211 start and the Orioles languishing in last place was not what he expected. He was traded to the Indians with Gene Woodling for Dave Pope and Wally Westlake, but he decided to retire instead. Even a plea from Indian manager, Al Lopez could not change his mind.
His ties to the Boys of Summer and he and George Shuba, and Roe would go on hunting trips. Jobs in baseball did not interest him, Casey Stengel once greeted Brooks Robinson and told him he was the second greatest third baseman he had ever seen. Who was the best? Casey replied, number 3 over there in Brooklyn, Billy Cox. Robinson would later say he was sorry he never got to meet Billy. Robinson was signed after Cox left the Orioles.
Billy became a bartender in various places in Newport. He and Anna raised three children, two girls and a son, Billy Jr. He was working at a local private club, Owls when Roger Kahn caught up with him. It took some convincing, but Billy finally opened up and the stories just flowed. Like Hodges and so many other WWII vets, Cox was a heavy smoker, and although he kicked the habit, he contracted esophageal cancer. Billy died in the Harrisburg hospital on March 30, 1978. He was 58 years old. When Preacher Roe found out Billy had died, he called Anna Cox and asked why she had not let him know. She told him the one person Billy did not want to see what the disease had done to his body was Roe. Billy is buried in his hometown. His legacy lives on there with a field named after him on the spot where his fathers’ workplace once stood.
Discussion (22)
Disagree, not disagreeable
Wow, those roster cuts came fast, didn’t they? I wanted to see more of Vargas, Busch, Pages, Noda, Outman and Leonard.
Rios or Lamb? I really like both of these guys. The difference is that someone is going to have be cut in order to get Lamb onto the roster since he isn’t currently on the 40 man. Rios has one option left.
The Los Angeles Dodgers re-assigned Carson Taylor, Hunter Feduccia, Kody Hoese, Miguel Vargas, Michael Busch, Andy Pages, Ryan Noda, Bobby Wahl, Yefry Ramirez, Sam Gaviglio, Robbie Erlin and Jon Duplantier to Minor League camp as part of the first round of Spring Training roster cuts.
Also on Wednesday, the Dodgers optioned Jacob Amaya, Eddys Leonard, James Outman and Jorbit Vivas to the Minor League side of Camelback Ranch.
MBeaty was DFA to make room for Alberto in the 40 man roster. I think both Lamb and Rios will make the Opening Day roster. We need a boricua in the roster now that we don’t have Kike no more.
As I mentioned yesterday, before Lamb’s 3 hit day today, I’ve been impressed. He is a stud physically and is just stinging the ball. And not just on hangers. As mentioned, a corner guy infield and outfield with MLB experience. He hasn’t hit well in awhile and maybe now with the Dodger’s help, he can get it back.
Before I look it up does anyone know his salar. Is he at the major league minimum of a higher contract that would again ding our CBT if he made the team.
Don’t count on Rios beating out Lamb. From the amount of at bats Lamb has gotten so far, it almost seems like they want to have him on the opening day roster. That would send Rios to OKC to open the season since it doesn’t seem like there is room for both.
Barnes, Alberto, CT/Lux are assured of bench spots. That only leaves one and Lamb had 3 hits today. He also plays not only both corner infield positions but both corner outfield positions.
B&P don’t we get extra roster spots to begin season. Love to have Lamb there if he continues to produce
Nice first Spring training win. Dodgers 6 to 2. Lots of positives. Jake Lamb with three hits. Bullpen was stellar allowing no runs in seven innings.
Matty Beaty DFA’d. I assume the DH along with the numerous DH options available to Doc made him expendable. Does Lamb make the regular season roster?
Maybe I missed something, but why isn’t Tyler Anderson being spoken about for the Rotation?
Isn’t that why we signed him?
Beuhler
Urias
Bauer(?)
Kershaw
Heaney
Anderson
Gonsolin
Price (?)
Duffy(?)
Lots of possibilities although taking Trevor Bauer out of the equation leaves us short on quality especially in a short series.
Leave Lux alone and do not trade him.
Kimbrel would make the Pen look stellar.
I like Blake in a floating role.
Lux leadoff homer. Vargas a 3 run homerun in the second . Dodgers 4 to 2. Kershaw gives up 2 earned in 2 innings.
Matt Beatty designated for assignment and Hanser Alberto signed.
I disagree that Spring Training means nothing. It doesn’t for our everyday roster players who have their jobs locked in and are working on getting ready for opening day. There is a whole other group of players who are fighting for roster spots with the Big Club and spots in the organization. It matters to new guys like Heaney. I bet he doesn’t want to suck when he’s penciled in as the 4th or 5th starter on his new team. Some guys are fighting for their livelihood. Every outing; every at bat is important to these guys Every game isn’t the end of the world but the accumulation of Spring Training Game performance, matters a lot.
Haven’t watched a single pitch yet, but am following.
Cody Bellinger changed his swing mechanics again yesterday, going back to holding his bat flat near his shoulder after starting the spring with his hands lower and more in front. “Just trying to find my feels,” he said,
Bellinger went back to the more familiar hand position because he is feeling strong again (after shoulder surgery) and “group effort” with hitting coaches, looking at video feedback on his barrel angle before contact
All as per Plunkett.
Guillermo Zuniga is from Cartagena Colombia, not Columbia.
I know, maybe for some it is not important, but for others it is.
From what I saw of that Zuniga kid, his stuff looked pretty good. I had to do a little digging on a scouting report. Not much written about him, but grades as having a plus fastball and plus slider. Mediocre command and somewhat dismal future value as a result.
I also noticed Rios go oppo. Encouraging sign. I think dodgerrick made a good point that, with his lack of positional versatility vis a vis Lux/CT3/Alonso/Beaty he might not make the roster.
Completely agree the reliever flexibility to insert a “closer” type in any high leverage/top-of-the-order scenario is much better than having a designated closer (I think the Save is the stupidest stat in baseball). Still, last year with both Treinen and Kenley, you had options to do this more. There really is no #2 or traditional setup guy. Sorry, Brusdar isn’t there, yet. Kahnle might be. We might see Duffy used exclusively as a reliever when he joins the team.
The “it’s only Spring training” argument with Bellinger would have more weight if we haven’t already been seeing the same thing non-stop for the past two years. Him taking 10 seconds to get his violent swing moving and subsequently being late/missing inside fastballs is not an anomaly. It’s a pattern. I don’t think revamping his batting stance and swing every month to do more of the same is going to change that. He needs to binge watch as much Mike Trout video as he can.
Heaney/Anderson/Price are warm bodies in the same mold as Anderson/Kazmir/McCarthy. They’ll probably get the job done as 4/5s in a long season as plug-in-plays to ease the workload on the 1-3s, but none inspire confidence and you’ll probably see a revolving door of roster moves and phantom injury list announcements to try to keep Kershaw/Urias/Buhtane fresh for the playoffs.
Would you trade…
Gavin Lux
Bobby Miller
Michael Busch
Landon Knack
David Price
for
Shane Bieber
Jose Ramirez
I agree that Zuniga looked really good. But, it looks like they would need to pull off a trade to get him onto the roster.
I had to turn down the volume on my TV when Heaney was pitching yesterday. The crack of the bat was shocking.
Rios looked really good yesterday. He looked like a little Freddie Freeman rubbed off on him going the other way. I would like to see him get closer to those 300+ batting averages he put up in the minors.
Looks like a lot of the prospects need to spend more time with their glovework. It’s early in Spring so I’m sure they’re not used to the ball coming off the bat, but there’s a huge difference between them and the veterans.
I think the Dodgers are pretty committed to NOT naming a closer and I’m fine with that. If you get buy in from the guys in the pen, it makes most sense to use matchups. Why have Treinen close when 3,4,5 are coming up in the 8th?
I expected more from Heaney. Maybe he was working on something? It sure didn’t look good, unless you’re the opposing hitter.
Kershaw goes again today. Where the hell is Urias, Gonsolin and Price?
Just bought that mesh back Spring Training hat from LIDS.
Bear, If only you were my high school history teacher then I might have graduated! My high school history teacher wouldn’t even give me a C in a grade yourself school. Said he didn’t even know who I was. Guess he was never in the lemon orchards smoking dope!
Nice column Bear.
I always liked Billy Cox, a very unappreciated player among so many all-star HOF players. Unfortunately his body never recovered from his war years but Billy never complained. I recall how well he hit in the 1952 and 1953 WS, especially 1953. 1952 was my first year as a Dodger fan.
This on Zuniga on LADT from last December.
Right-hander Guillermo Zuniga, from Cartagena, Columbia, was one of the 12 Atlanta Braves international prospects made free agents in November of 2017 by Major League Baseball after improprieties from former general manager John Coppollela.
The Dodgers signed him on December 6, 2017 with a reported $205,000 bonus, although as part of the agreement to make those former Braves free agents the first $200,000 did not count against the bonus pool.
Zuniga originally signed with the Braves on July 2, 2016 for $350,000, a bonus he got to keep.
Since then he has made stops with the Arizona League Dodgers, Great Lakes Loons, Rancho Cucamonga Quakes, and this year with the Drillers.
His 2021 season was abbreviated by injury in which he missed two months from June 29 to August 21. However, during the past season he did make 25 appearances, all in relief, pitching 35.1 innings with a 3.06 ERA and a 1.08 WHIP. He struck out 49 and walked 13.
The 6’5”/230 lb. Zuniga’s scouting reports suggest an above-average fastball, slider, and extension. His size protects his high velocity and his slider bites harder than a National COVID-Lockdown.
Other reports indicate Zuniga still has work to do on his changeup and improving his command/control. Those reports came from well over a year ago.
Good write-up, Bear.
So what do we know for certain at this point?
Well, Mark knows a lot about rented mules.
Cody Bellinger is messing with his swing again. That observation coming from Rick Monday.
Freddie Freeman is a pretty good hitter.
The Dodgers will use numerous hitters in the DH role.
The Dodgers were concerned about going over $290 million in payroll, heavy tax and all. They were apparently trying to stay under by trading someone, most likely David Price, in order to re-sign Kenley Jansen. Time ran out.
Now Andrew Friedman is indicating the Dodgers may exceed 290. Of course, all this is resolved if Trevor Bauer is suspended. Then again, if he’s not suspended the Dodgers pitching staff becomes quite a bit better, but the circus arrives and it will become a major distraction.
No doubt Friedman is on the phone exploring a last minute trade to improve the pitching staff. Watching Andrew Heaney pitch yesterday probably means nothing, but it has to make Friedman a bit nervous. Now that’s Heaney. Good one day, terrible another.
The biggest question this season: which Bellinger will show up? Will we see Bellinger adjust his swing every other week? Hope not. I thought he looked pretty good in the playoffs. But Cody is healthy, so there is that. This is a turning point. Has the skills to be a superstar.
Look forward to the piece on Norm Larker, Bear. His pursuit of a batting title back in the day made for some excitement.
Nice job Bear. The Dodgers probably won’t officially name a closer but on April 8th, if there is a close situation, my money is on Blake Treinen set to close win #1. Bazooka might earn that role by mid-season, but the closer role is Blake’s to lose (I mean not to lose).
Great job, Bear. You bring the stories back to life!
Reminder to Everyone: Enjoy the Spring Training Games, but don’t put too much stock in any one outing.
Cody Bellinger is striking out at a record pace – it means zilch.
Andrew Heaney is getting hit like a rented mule – it means zero.
James Outman is hitting .600 – THe Dodgers brought in Pillar so that Outman could have a full year at AAA (most likely).
Clayton threw 1 one inning – Zilch.
But, Freddie Freeman can hit. Players are working on different things, so don’t put too much stock in any AB, Game, or even several games. There may be a surprise… or two… or not!
…and I would be shocked if the Dodgers name a closer!