Duke Snider (1926-2011) was a professional baseball player celebrated for his role as center fielder for the Brooklyn Dodgers during the 1950s, known as the "Boys of Summer". Snider debuted in the major league in 1947 and became a starting player by 1949. Aided by his powerful hitting, he was an eight-time All-Star and hit 40+ home runs each season from 1953 to 1957, topping the league with 43 in 1956. Often compared to Willie Mays and Mickey Mantle, Snider played in six World Series, with a .594 slugging percentage, and he is the only player to hit four home runs in two different series (1952 and 1955). After playing with the Dodgers through 1962, Snider ended his career after one season each with the New York Mets and the San Francisco Giants, retiring in 1964. His career totals include 2,116 hits, 407 home runs, and 1,333 runs batted in. Snider was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1980.

What position did Duke Snider play in baseball?

Duke Snider was best known for playing center field for the Brooklyn Dodgers during the 1950s, when the team was known as the "Boys of Summer". He debuted in the major league in 1947 and became a starting player in 1949. Snider was an eight-time All-Star and one of the best sluggers of his time. From 1953 to 1957, he hit 40 or more home runs each season, topping the league with 43 in 1956.

For which major team did Duke Snider play most of his career?

Duke Snider was best known for playing center field for the Brooklyn Dodgers during the 1950s, the team for which he played most of his career. He was a key member of the "Boys of Summer," who won their first World Series title in 1955. After the Dodgers moved to Los Angeles, Snider continued to play with them through 1962. He concluded his career with one-season stints with the New York Mets and the San Francisco Giants.

What were some of Duke Snider's career achievements?

Edwin "Duke" Snider (1926–2011) was known for playing center field for the Brooklyn Dodgers during the 1950s. From 1953 to 1957, he hit 40 or more home runs each season, topping the league with 43 in 1956. Snider played in six World Series, with a lifetime slugging percentage of .594. He is the only player to have hit four home runs in two different series (1952 and 1955). Throughout his career, Snider achieved 2,116 hits, 407 home runs, and 1,333 runs batted in. He was an eight-time All-Star and a member of two World Series championship teams. Snider was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1980.

How did Duke Snider contribute to his team's success in important games?

Duke Snider was a celebrated center fielder for the Brooklyn Dodgers, particularly known for his performance in the 1950s. Throughout his career, Snider was known for outstanding postseason play, with a lifetime slugging percentage of .594 in six World Series. He distinguished himself as the only player to hit four home runs in two different series, specifically in 1952 and 1955. His contributions were vital to the Dodgers' 1955 World Series victory, their first title. In 1959, he won a second World Series championship with the Dodgers, following the team's move to Los Angeles.

Why is Duke Snider remembered as a great baseball player today?

Duke Snider is remembered as a great baseball player because he was a key player for the Brooklyn Dodgers during their "Boys of Summer" era in the 1950s. As one of the best sluggers of his time, he hit 40 or more home runs each season from 1953 to 1957. Snider had a .594 slugging percentage in six World Series and is the only player to have hit four home runs in two different series (1952 and 1955). He helped the Dodgers win two World Series championships, one in 1955 and another in 1959. He was an eight-time All-Star and was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1980.

Duke Snider

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Duke Snider, wearing a Los Angeles Dodgers uniform and glove, poses in a ready fielding stance on a baseball field in the 1950s.

Quick Facts

Byname of:: Edwin Donald Snider

Also called:: the Silver Fox and the Duke of Flatbush

Born:: September 19, 1926, Los Angeles, California, U.S.

Died:: February 27, 2011, Escondido, California (aged 84)

Awards And Honors:: Baseball Hall of Fame (1980); Baseball Hall of Fame (inducted in 1980); eight-time All-Star; 2 World Series championships

Duke Snider

American baseball player

Also known as: Edwin Donald Snider, the Duke of Flatbush, the Silver Fox(Show More)

Written by

Adam Augustyn

Fact-checked by

Britannica Editors

Last updated

Sep. 15, 2026 •History

Top Questions

Who was Duke Snider?
Duke Snider (1926-2011) was a professional baseball player celebrated for his role as center fielder for the Brooklyn Dodgers during the 1950s, known as the "Boys of Summer".

Snider debuted in the major league in 1947 and became a starting player by 1949. Aided by his powerful hitting, he was an eight-time All-Star and hit 40+ home runs each season from 1953 to 1957, topping the league with 43 in 1956. Often compared to Willie Mays and Mickey Mantle, Snider played in six World Series, with a .594 slugging percentage, and he is the only player to hit four home runs in two different series (1952 and 1955).

After playing with the Dodgers through 1962, Snider ended his career after one season each with the New York Mets and the San Francisco Giants, retiring in 1964. His career totals include 2,116 hits, 407 home runs, and 1,333 runs batted in. Snider was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1980.
2 Britannica Sources
1. Duke Snider
2. Duke Snider: Facts & Related Content
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What position did Duke Snider play in baseball?
Duke Snider was best known for playing center field for the Brooklyn Dodgers during the 1950s, when the team was known as the "Boys of Summer". He debuted in the major league in 1947 and became a starting player in 1949. Snider was an eight-time All-Star and one of the best sluggers of his time. From 1953 to 1957, he hit 40 or more home runs each season, topping the league with 43 in 1956.
2 Britannica Sources
1. Duke Snider
2. Duke Snider: Facts & Related Content
Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
For which major team did Duke Snider play most of his career?
Duke Snider was best known for playing center field for the Brooklyn Dodgers during the 1950s, the team for which he played most of his career. He was a key member of the "Boys of Summer," who won their first World Series title in 1955.

After the Dodgers moved to Los Angeles, Snider continued to play with them through 1962. He concluded his career with one-season stints with the New York Mets and the San Francisco Giants.
2 Britannica Sources
1. Duke Snider
2. Duke Snider: Facts & Related Content
Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
What were some of Duke Snider's career achievements?
Edwin "Duke" Snider (1926–2011) was known for playing center field for the Brooklyn Dodgers during the 1950s. From 1953 to 1957, he hit 40 or more home runs each season, topping the league with 43 in 1956.

Snider played in six World Series, with a lifetime slugging percentage of .594. He is the only player to have hit four home runs in two different series (1952 and 1955). Throughout his career, Snider achieved 2,116 hits, 407 home runs, and 1,333 runs batted in. He was an eight-time All-Star and a member of two World Series championship teams. Snider was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1980.
2 Britannica Sources
1. Duke Snider
2. Duke Snider: Facts & Related Content
Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
How did Duke Snider contribute to his team's success in important games?
Duke Snider was a celebrated center fielder for the Brooklyn Dodgers, particularly known for his performance in the 1950s. Throughout his career, Snider was known for outstanding postseason play, with a lifetime slugging percentage of .594 in six World Series. He distinguished himself as the only player to hit four home runs in two different series, specifically in 1952 and 1955. His contributions were vital to the Dodgers' 1955 World Series victory, their first title. In 1959, he won a second World Series championship with the Dodgers, following the team's move to Los Angeles.
2 Britannica Sources
1. Duke Snider
2. Duke Snider: Facts & Related Content
Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
Why is Duke Snider remembered as a great baseball player today?
Duke Snider is remembered as a great baseball player because he was a key player for the Brooklyn Dodgers during their "Boys of Summer" era in the 1950s. As one of the best sluggers of his time, he hit 40 or more home runs each season from 1953 to 1957.

Snider had a .594 slugging percentage in six World Series and is the only player to have hit four home runs in two different series (1952 and 1955). He helped the Dodgers win two World Series championships, one in 1955 and another in 1959. He was an eight-time All-Star and was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1980.
2 Britannica Sources
1. Duke Snider
2. Duke Snider: Facts & Related Content
Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

Duke Snider (born September 19, 1926, Los Angeles, California, U.S.—died February 27, 2011, Escondido, California) was an American professional baseball player who was best known for playing centre field on the famed “Boys of Summer” Brooklyn Dodgers teams of the 1950s.

Snider was raised in Compton, California, where he came to the attention of the Dodgers while playing for Compton Junior College. He signed with the organization in 1943 and made his major league debut in 1947. Snider earned a starting role in 1949, and he garnered the first of eight career All-Star selections during his second full-time season. One of the best sluggers of his era, he hit 40 or more home runs in each season from 1953 to 1957, including a league-leading 43 in 1956. Snider was frequently compared to two other All-Star centre fielders who played in New York City when he did—Willie Mays of the Giants and Mickey Mantle of the Yankees. Heated debates over which of the three was the superior player were common among that city’s baseball fans throughout the 1950s.

Snider was a member of Dodgers teams that won the National League (NL) pennant four times between 1947 and 1953 but that lost to the New York Yankees in the World Series on each occasion, further cementing the Dodgers’ lighthearted “Dem Bums” nickname among the team’s passionate fans. While assuredly a fan favourite in his time with the Dodgers, the mercurial Snider was not as universally beloved as many of his teammates, such as Pee Wee Reese and Roy Campanella, in part because of a 1955 incident wherein—after being booed at home while in the midst of a hitting slump—he called Brooklyn supporters the worst fans in the league. The comment made headlines across the city. Nevertheless, his play in that 1955 season was integral to the “Boys of Summer” capturing their first World Series title.

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Serena Williams poses with the Daphne Akhurst Trophy after winning the Women's Singles final against Venus Williams of the United States on day 13 of the 2017 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 28, 2017 in Melbourne, Australia. (tennis, sports)

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Snider’s play during the postseason was outstanding throughout his career: he had a lifetime slugging percentage of .594 in six World Series, and he was the only player in history to have hit four home runs in two different Series (1952 and 1955). He won a second World Series championship with the Dodgers in 1959, one year after the team relocated to Los Angeles. Snider played with the Dodgers through 1962 and then ended his career with one-season stints with the New York Mets and the San Francisco Giants before retiring in 1964. His career totals include 2,116 hits, 407 home runs, and 1,333 runs batted in.

Snider served as a minor league manager in the Dodgers organization (1965–67) and as a broadcaster for the Montreal Expos (1973–86). His autobiography, The Duke of Flatbush (cowritten with Bill Gilbert), was published in 1988. Snider was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1980.

Adam Augustyn

Duke Snider

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