Sam “Dusty” LaBarbera

The exciting third baseman was a crowd favorite with pantomime characterizations and playing in the style of Pete Rose with head first slides since 1940. Played on the championship teams of Midland Motors and the Yankees. Best season was .399 and 11 homers for ’44 champion Yanks who won 23 straight. Allstar for Fewer Boilers in ’48. Considered one of the toughest competitors playing. 1919 -1979. Survived by his wife Shirley and 3 daughters and one son.