This day in Los Angeles Dodgers history saw Jim Lefebvre named the 1965 National League Rookie of the Year. Lefebvre was just the sixth Dodgers Rookie of the Year in franchise history at the time.
He earned the award by hitting .250/.337/.369 with 21 doubles, 12 home runs and 69 RBI over 157 games in his debut season. Lefebvre led the team in home runs that season and bested Joe Morgan for NL Rookie of the Year.
Lefebvre had made the Dodgers’ Opening Day roster in 1965 as their starting second baseman.
Playing for the Dodgers was a dream come true in some regard, as Lefebvre grew up in Inglewood and was a bat boy for the team while attending Morningside High School. Lefebvre rejected a bigger signing bonus from the California Angels and played just three seasons in the Minors before making his MLB debut.
Lefebvre’s career highlights also include being part of the first infield in MLB history that featured all switch-hitters, an All-Star Game selection in 1966 and multiple appearances on “Gilligan’s Island” and “Batman” TV shows.
Lefebvre played the entirety of his eight-year Major League career with the Dodgers before signing with the Lotte Orions of the Japan Pacific League, where he played four seasons.
After retiring, Lefebvre spent one year on the Dodgers coaching staff but got into an offseason disagreement with then-manager Tommy Lasorda.
Lefebvre’s coaching career also included stints as manager of the Seattle Mariners, Chicago Cubs and Milwaukee Brewers.
Dodgers trade Stan Williams
Also on November 26, the Dodgers traded Stan Williams to the New York Yankees for Bill Skowron in 1962.
Williams up to that point had pitched five seasons for L.A. and earned an All-Star Game selection in 1960. During those five years the right-hander went a combined 57-46 with a 3.83 ERA.
Williams spent just two seasons with the Yankees before going on to pitch for the Cleveland Indians, Minnesota Twins, St. Louis Cardinals and Boston Red Sox. Williams’ relatively brief time in New York included winning the 1963 World Series, which was a sweep of the Dodgers.
That was notable for Skowron, who hit a home run against his former team in Game 2 of the World Series.
Skowron batted .203/.252/.287 with eight doubles, four home runs and 19 RBI in 1963, his lone season with the Dodgers.
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