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Dodgers News: Former Brooklyn Dodger Bill Sharman Passes Away At 87

Former Brooklyn Dodger and Los Angeles Lakers head coach Bill Sharman passed away this morning at the age of 87. Sharman was known more for his time with the Lakers as he led them to their first championship in LA and a record 33-game winning streak in 1972.

However, not many know that Sharman was with the Brooklyn Dodgers from 1950-1955. Playing outfield and third base, Sharman never made it into a big league game during his career.



Claire Noland and Jerry Crowe of the LA Times were the first to report that Sharman passed away this morning:

Bill Sharman, an All-Star guard for the Boston Celtics in the 1950s who became coach of the Lakers and led the team to its first NBA championship in Los Angeles in record-setting fashion, died Friday. He was 87. Sharman, who suffered a stroke last week, died at his home in Redondo Beach, said his wife, Joyce.

Sharman hit .281 with 52 home runs and 135 RBI, but was in the Dodgers dugout when Bobby Thompson hit the “short heard ’round the world” home run in 1951 for the New York Giants.

While Sharman never made it into a big league game for the Dodgers, he does hold the distinction of being the only player to have ever been ejected from a game without playing in one. Although known more for his time with the Lakers, Sharman was stayed true to his California roots and also attended USC as he’ll certainly be missed by the Los Angeles community.

 

Ross Gasmer

Ross Gasmer is a Social Media Producer for @TheHerd and was a contributing writer and editor for Dodger Nation. Follow him on Twitter @Ross_Gasmer12

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