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We’re Contacted By “Acquaintance” of 1930s-40s Star Dolph Camilli!

 

That is, if you can call your FedEx driver an acquaintance! Read on, and I think you’ll get my drift…

“Dolph Camilli was a quiet, gentle man but he was as strong as an ox. Nobody knew how well Dolph could fight because, quite frankly, nobody had ever wanted to find out” –Dodger Manager Leo Durocher, speaking of Dolph Camilli

I’ve said many times we always enjoy it whenever we’re contacted by a family descendant, friend, or even an acquaintance of a former major leaguer. Basically, we enjoy hearing from anyone who can add some personal information about a player. Today I have something a bit different. I was recently contacted by Sean Taggart, who, as a FedEx driver in the mid-1990s, delivered to the Camilli residence in Vacaville, California.

Before I get into Sean’s recollections of his visits with Dolph Camilli, here’s a little background information:

Dolph Camilli’s Fine Major League Career

Dolph Camilli made his major league debut with the Cubs on September 9, 1933, at age 26. The San Francisco native played 12 seasons in the majors (1933-’45) with the Cubs (1933), Phillies (1934-37), Dodgers (1938-’43), and Red Sox (1945). He had one World Series appearance in 1941 as a member of the Dodgers.

Over his career, the two-time All-Star hit .277 with 1482 hits, 261 doubles, 936 runs, 239 home runs, 950 RBIs, a remarkable .388 on-base percentage, a .492 slugging average, and a 135 OPS+. In 1937, he hit a career-high .339 and led the league in on-base percentage (.446). 

Dolph’s best year was his 1941 MVP year when he hit .285 and led the league in home runs (34) and RBIs (120), as the Dodgers won their first National League pennant since 1920. The following year, 1942, he finished second in home runs (26) and RBIs (109), breaking Zack Wheat’s Dodger career home run record (131). After a trade to the Dodgers’ hated rivals, Giants, in July 1943, Camilli refused to report and instead managed the Oakland Oaks for the next two seasons.

The 5’10” left-hander was a known free-swinger and, as such, led the league in strikeouts four times. He tied Hack Wilson’s modern National League record of 94 strikeouts in 1934; and in 1935 he set a new league mark with 113. In 1939, Camilli became the first player to have three 100-strikeout seasons, all modest numbers by today’s standards.

Sean Taggart Recalls His Visits with Dolph Camilli

During his FedEx delivery visits to the Camilli residence, Sean has many great memories:

“The Camilli’s were always very nice. I realized after meeting him that he was a baseball national treasure and it kinda’ freaked me out. He always wanted to talk so I had to make him my last stop before priority service time to give him time to visit. Per company policy, we weren’t allowed in customers’ homes, but Dolph was the exception. His wife would answer the door, lead me through the house to the poolside where he was usually sitting in the shade having a stiff drink.

He always tried giving me signed memorabilia which I always refused. I did give him a gift once though. I located a baseball card of his from his time managing the Oakland Oaks and gave it to him as a gift. Dolph and his wife were both teary-eyed after he realized I didn’t want him to sign it for me, but in fact, was a gift for him. He didn’t have this card personally and I believe it moved him and touched him deeply. They both thanked me again and again, and it made my day to give him that card. He always asked if I wanted his signature and I would joke that I already had his signature on the delivery sheet when signing for the packages! Dolph was a good and kind man.

I wish I could remember all he would say to me, and, as you could guess, I always tried to be patient, but I had a truck full of packages to deliver so I

was always looking for a polite exit. He always loved to tell me two stories: when Babe Ruth grounded out to him for Babe’s last out, and managing the Oakland Oaks. Even though they never called me by name, they both just called me the ‘FedEx guy.’ It was still special for me.

Dolph Talks About the Babe’s Last At-bat

He told me about making the last out on Babe Ruth.  He said he played for the Phillies as first baseman.  They had a doubleheader with the Boston Braves and in the first game, Babe was up in the first inning.  Dolph said the “old man” hit a dribble up the first baseline. He fielded the ball, looked up toward home plate and Babe Ruth was still in the batters’ box. They just looked at each other for a moment. Then Ruth turned and walked to the dugout.  I believe he said that was his last at-bat even though Ruth played part of the next inning in the outfield and then walked off the field. Dolph thinks when they were looking at each other he heard Ruth say “Nuts.” I remember he would chuckle asking if I wanted to hear the story, get serious and respectful as he told the story, then chuckle at the end. I wish we had cell phones back then. I would have recorded it!

Sean Raised in the Bay Area

Sean grew up in San Jose and his family would go to both Giant and A’s games. His dad was a Yankee fan, so in Bay Area baseball Sean would side with the Giants:

“Dad is also a 49er fan.  So, as most sons do I was an A’s and Raider fan.  I froze at Candlestick Park and would rather watch baseball in Oakland.  Still in therapy for the ‘88 World Series Kirk Gibson home run and the 2001 ALDS Jeter flip. As a kid, got yelled at my Willie Mays asking him to sign three baseballs, and on a dare tried to get Rickey Henderson’s autograph when he was in a Taco Bell drive thru.

In closing our correspondence, Sean added:

I am trained in transportation management, but have worked in sales as well, and owned my own distribution business.  I have side interests where I have produced music (bluegrass and Hawaiian contemporary), wrote a progressive rock musical story, gardening, outdoors, and fishing.  Still married to the same girl, we raised six children and have four grandkids. 

We thank Sean Taggart for sharing some great memories about a great player from the 1930s who is often overlooked, Dolph Camilli.

Gary Livacari