Reese, Pee Wee (1918-1999), was the star shortstop on the Brooklyn (later Los Angeles) Dodgers team that won seven National League pennants from 1941 to 1956. He became captain of the team and was known for his leadership. Reese was considered the finest shortstop in the National League during the 1940’s through the mid-1950’s. He led the league in putouts by a shortstop four times. Reese was also a clutch hitter and an outstanding leadoff man. He led the league in walks (104) in 1947 and stolen bases (30) in 1952.
Harold Henry Reese was born in Ekron, Kentucky, on July 23, 1918. He got his nickname from being a marbles-shooting champion as a boy. A pee wee is a type of marble. The Boston Red Sox signed Reese but sold his contract to Brooklyn in 1939. He remained with the Dodgers his entire career, retiring in 1958, the year the Dodgers moved from Brooklyn to Los Angeles. Reese was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1984. He died on Aug. 14, 1999.
