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Dodger Blue > Dodgers News > Former Dodgers Scout Mel Didier Passes Away
Dodgers News

Former Dodgers Scout Mel Didier Passes Away

Matthew Moreno
September 11, 2017
2 Min Read
Dodgers Roundtable: Most Intriguing Storyline At Spring Training
Jake Roth/USA TODAY Sports
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Nearly as synonymous with Kirk Gibson’s dramatic home run that propelled the Los Angeles Dodgers to a World Series title in 1988 was the role longtime scout Mel Didier played in Gibson delivering against Oakland Athletics closer Dennis Eckersley.

Prior to Game 1 of that year’s World Series, Didier’s scouting report for the Dodgers on the right-hander highlighted Eckersley’s tendency to throw a backdoor slider against left-handed batters with the count full. So as Gibson battled in his pinch-hit appearance that bit of information became all the more valuable.

He clubbed a slider from Eckersley into the right-field pavilion, spawning one of Vin Scully’s most infamous calls and one of the more memorable moments in Dodgers franchise history.

The hit lives on, but sadly Didier passed away Tuesday at the age of 90, according to Bob Nightengale of USA TODAY Sports:

Sad to report that Mel Didier, beloved Toronto #BlueJays scout,has passed away at 90, according to his wife, Elana. What a beautiful life.

— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) September 11, 2017

In remembrance of the longtime scout, Tyler Kepner of the New York Times shared a copy of the famed scouting report on Eckersley:

Here's famous Mel Didier report for 1988 WS at @baseballhall. Helped Gibson hit HR off @Eck43. Donated by @timleary54 pic.twitter.com/apSOTzVQJU

— Tyler Kepner (@TylerKepner) September 11, 2017

Gibson stepped out of the batter’s box with the count full, and later said it was at that moment Didier’s words, “Padner, as sure as I’m standing here breathing, you gonna see a 3-2 back door slider.”

When Didier was inducted into the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame, he called Gibson’s home run “by far my greatest accomplishment.” In addition to working for the Dodgers, Didier spent time with the Arizona Diamondbacks, Baltimore Orioles, Montreal Expos and most recently, Toronto Blue Jays.

A shoulder injury ended his playing career with the Detroit Tigers organization in 1949. Didier remained connected to the sport for nearly 70 years.

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TAGGED:Los Angeles DodgersMel Didier
ByMatthew Moreno
Matthew Moreno is a journalist from Whittier, Calif., who is a credentialed reporter and is currently the Executive Editor of DodgerBlue.com and LakersNation.com. In addition to covering Los Angeles Dodgers and Los Angels Lakers, Matthew has a strong passion for keeping up to date with the sneakerhead culture. It began with Michael Jordan and Air Jordan shoes, and has carried over to Kobe Bryant's signature line with Nike. Matthew previously was the lead editor and digital strategist at Dodgers Nation, and the co-editor and lead writer at Reign of Troy, where he covered USC Trojans Football. Matthew graduated from California State Long Beach University with a major in journalism and minor in communications. Contact: matt@mediumlargela.com
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