During his time with the Dodgers, Don Newcombe had a reputation of being one of the best hitting pitchers in the game. After retiring from the majors, Newcombe headed to Japan to play as a first baseman/outfielder.
There was no question that Don Newcombe was a star with the Dodgers. He was a four time All Star, a three time 20 game winner, and the 1949 Rookie of the Year winner. In 1956, Newcombe won the Cy Young and MVP awards, despite not making that year's All Star Game. However, due to his battles with alcoholism, Newcombe's career went swiftly downhill after his glorious 1956 campaign.
After being released by the Cleveland Indians after the 1960 campaign, Newcombe spent a season in the Pacific Coast League with the Spokane Indians. Then, on this day in 1962, Newcombe headed overseas, signing with the Chunichi Dragons of the Japan Central League. Interestingly enough, Newcombe signed not as a pitcher, but as a first baseman/outfielder.
It is easy to understand why if one looks at Newcombe's history with the bat. During his heyday, he was considered one of the best hitting pitchers in the game, and was often used as a pinch hitter. He had a lifetime .271/.338/.367 batting line, hitting 15 homers and 33 doubles. Newcombe was even intentionally walked at least once in his career, a true sign of respect for his hitting prowess.
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Newcombe still had a solid bat during his time in Japan. He appeared in only one game on the mound, allowing two runs on two hits and two walks in four innings, striking out four batters. However, he was brought overseas to hit, and he did exactly that, with a .262/.316/.473 batting line. In his 301 plate appearances, Newcombe had 12 homers and 23 doubles, a solid showing for a 36 year old who had never been a position player before.
That would be the final year of his career. Following that one year stint with Chunichi, Newcombe retired from the game for good. He would later work in the Dodgers front office, serving as the team's director of community affairs before being named special adviser to the chairman of the Dodgers.
Owner of the ninth best batting average of any pitcher, Don Newcombe was a force with the bat. On this day in 1962, the Dodgers legend took his hitting ability and went to Japan, to be a position player.
