Carl Furillo – the Reading Rifle

When I was growing up as a budding Dodger fan in Lunenburg, Nova Scotia on the east coast of Canada, I had the good fortune to be part of the Boys of Summer saga. My connection with the Dodgers began in 1952 one evening when by pure chance I turned my radio dial and there it was – the golden voice of Vin Scully. Before the game ended Duke Snider – the Silver Fox – hit a home run and sealed the deal for me. My dial never again left that station during the summer. I believe it was WMGM.

During those years I followed and learned much about so many great Dodger players. As mentioned Duke Snider became my all-time favorite player. Jackie Robinson became the player I respected the most although I…