Clem Labine – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Clem Labine put together a remarkable 13-year run in Major League Baseball and became one of the most reliable relief pitchers of his time. Born in Lincoln, Rhode Island in 1926, Labine played a huge part in the Brooklyn and Los Angeles Dodgers’ success throughout the 1950s. He finished his playing days with the New York Mets in 1962.

Labine built his career on clutch performances in the biggest moments. He’s remembered for a legendary 10-inning shutout in Game 6 of the 1956 World Series and for his key role in three World Series championships. When he retired, his 96 career saves put him fourth in MLB history, and he held the National League saves record from 1958 to 1962. Over 514 games, he started just 38 times, but he became one of the sport’s best closers.

Labine’s journey took him from the Dodgers’ farm system to his final season in Queens. His story really mirrors the rise of relief pitching in mid-20th century baseball.

He served in the military, spent time in the minors, and eventually starred on baseball’s biggest stage. There’s something fascinating about how his impact went way beyond his stats.

Early Life and Amateur Career

Clement Walter Labine entered the world on August 6, 1926, in Lincoln, Rhode Island, and grew up in nearby Woonsocket. He came from a French Canadian family, and his path to professional baseball included standout high school sports and military service as a World War II paratrooper.

Family Background and Upbringing

Labine grew up in Woonsocket after being born in Lincoln. His French Canadian roots shaped his upbringing in the industrial city.

He was raised Catholic and served as an altar boy at Precious Blood Parish. That religious background influenced his character as a kid.

Labine showed athletic promise early. He played several sports growing up, which set him up for success in high school athletics.

Woonsocket High School Achievements

At Woonsocket High, Labine proved himself as a standout athlete in a few different sports. He played basketball and baseball, but honestly, basketball came more naturally to him at first.

Basketball was his main sport in high school. He played well enough to land a college scholarship.

In baseball, Labine played first base instead of pitching. That switch to the mound came later, showing how his career path kept evolving.

His basketball skills got him a scholarship to Rhode Island State College. But in 1943, the school dropped basketball, which totally changed his athletic direction and opened the door to pro baseball.

Military Service During World War II

After losing his basketball scholarship, Labine signed with the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1944. They sent him to the Newport News Dodgers in the Class-B Piedmont League to start his pro career.

Soon after, Labine’s baseball career got interrupted. He left to serve as a paratrooper with the 82nd Airborne Infantry Division in World War II.

He fought in Europe and gained life experience that, honestly, probably helped him later in baseball. That service really showed his courage and willingness to step up.

Labine came back from the war and briefly played for Newport News in 1946, getting into just three games. That marked his return to organized baseball as he transitioned back to civilian life.

Major League Baseball Debut and Early Years

Clem Labine made it to Major League Baseball with the Brooklyn Dodgers on April 18, 1950, when he was 23. Those first years were all about working on his curveball and sinker and bouncing between the minors and the big leagues.

Signing with the Brooklyn Dodgers

The Brooklyn Dodgers signed Labine in 1944 after high school. Branch Rickey and Chuck Dressen spotted him in Woonsocket and brought him in.

Labine joined the Newport News Dodgers in the Piedmont League at just 17. Then World War II service pulled him away from baseball for a while.

When he returned from the military, Labine climbed through the Dodgers’ farm system. He played for Asheville, Greenville, and Pueblo along the way.

His big break came with the Triple-A St. Paul Saints in 1949. That season, he went 12-6 with a 3.50 ERA.

Winter ball in Venezuela really helped him develop. With the Magallanes Navigators, he went 13-4, posted a 1.95 ERA, and earned the nickname “La Vaina” from rival fans.

Initial Role and Performance

Labine debuted in the MLB on April 18, 1950, against the Phillies. He pitched the last two innings of a 9-1 loss and gave up one run.

After that, the Dodgers sent him back to St. Paul. In the minors, he finished the 1950 season with an 11-7 record and a 4.99 ERA.

The 1951 season was huge for him. Labine went 5-1 with the Dodgers and tossed two shutouts, the only ones of his regular-season career.

He got his big chance in the National League playoff against the Giants. With no regular starter available for Game Two, Labine threw a six-hit shutout in a 10-0 win.

With the bases loaded, he struck out Bobby Thomson on a curveball that broke a foot outside the strike zone. That moment really showed his nerves of steel.

Development of Pitching Style

Labine’s signature curveball actually came from an early injury to his right index finger. His high school coach told him that injury might turn out to be a blessing.

He threw an odd “cunny thumb” curve, with his thumb parallel to his index and middle fingers. That grip was pretty different from the usual curveball technique.

He developed his sinker during winter ball in Venezuela. That pitch quickly became his go-to, getting hitters to ground out to the Dodgers’ stellar infield.

Labine wrote “T-U-R-N” on his glove fingers to remind himself to hide the ball. That little trick helped him keep hitters guessing with his breaking stuff.

By 1953, he’d really figured out the sinker and became the Dodgers’ bullpen ace. The sinker and curveball combo made him tough to hit.

Career With the Dodgers

Clem Labine spent most of his Major League career with the Dodgers, playing eleven seasons from 1950 to 1960. He played both in Brooklyn and during the historic move to Los Angeles, where he became one of the game’s best relief pitchers and helped the team win two World Series.

Brooklyn Dodgers Era

Labine made his MLB debut on April 18, 1950, with the Brooklyn Dodgers after a call-up from Triple-A St. Paul. In 1951, he really broke out, posting a 5-1 record with a 2.20 ERA in 14 games.

He got national attention during the 1951 National League pennant playoff against the Giants. Manager Chuck Dressen picked Labine to start Game 2, and he delivered a 10-0 shutout. He didn’t allow any hits over the last 4.2 innings.

In 1955, Labine’s role changed a lot after he improved his sinker thanks to advice from Pee Wee Reese. That pitch turned him into one of baseball’s most effective relievers. He led the majors with 60 games pitched and 10 relief wins that year.

The 1955 World Series was his shining moment in Brooklyn. Labine pitched in four games against the Yankees, got a win and a save, and posted a 2.89 ERA. His clutch pitching helped the Dodgers win their only Brooklyn-era World Series.

Los Angeles Dodgers Transition

After the 1957 season, the Dodgers moved to Los Angeles, and Labine went with them. He kept his spot as the team’s top closer in the new city.

In 1958, his first season in LA, Labine pitched in 52 games and notched 14 saves. That put him second in the National League, just behind Roy Face of Pittsburgh.

The Dodgers won another World Series in 1959. Labine appeared in 56 games that year, saved 8, and finished with a 5-10 record. In the World Series against the White Sox, he made a short appearance in Game 1.

Labine’s last season with the Dodgers was 1960. He played in only 13 games before the team traded him to the Tigers in June, ending his long run with the franchise.

Key Contributions and Milestones

Labine broke some big records during his Dodgers career. He held the National League record for career saves from 1958 to 1962 and finished with 96 saves, which was fourth all-time when he retired.

For the Dodgers, he set records for career saves (96) and career games pitched (425). In 1959, he passed Brickyard Kennedy’s old record of 381 games with the team.

His most unforgettable game came in the 1956 World Series, Game 6, against the Yankees. The Dodgers faced elimination, and manager Walt Alston surprised everyone by starting Labine. He responded with a 10-inning shutout, winning 1-0 over Bob Turley.

That win forced a Game 7 and proved Labine’s value as both a starter and reliever. Catcher Roy Campanella called it Labine’s best performance when he pitched deep into a game.

All-Star Selections

Labine made the All-Star team twice while playing for Brooklyn. His first selection came in 1956, when he led the majors with 19 saves and 47 games finished.

That 1956 season was the peak of his career. He went 10-6 with a 3.35 ERA in 62 games, and his 19 saves led all of baseball.

He got his second All-Star nod in 1957, the Dodgers’ last year in Brooklyn. Labine again led the National League in saves with 17, and he finished with a 5-7 record and 3.44 ERA in 58 relief appearances.

Those All-Star picks really showed how respected Labine was as one of the National League’s top relievers in the mid-1950s.

World Series Success and Notable Achievements

Clem Labine reached his peak during World Series play, helping three different teams win championships between 1955 and 1960. His strong relief work and record-setting save totals made him one of the best closers of the 1950s.

World Series Championships

Labine won three World Series championships in his career, joining a pretty exclusive group—only nine players in MLB history have won back-to-back titles with different teams.

His first title came with the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1955, when they finally beat the Yankees. Labine pitched in four games, got a win and a save, and posted a 2.89 ERA.

The 1959 Los Angeles Dodgers gave him his second championship. They beat the White Sox in six games, though Labine only pitched one inning in the series opener.

He picked up his third and last ring with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1960. Labine joined the Pirates late in the season, helped them win the National League pennant, and then beat the Yankees in a wild seven-game World Series.

Record-Breaking Saves and Games

Labine set several records that showed just how good he was as a reliever in the 1950s.

He held the National League record for career saves from 1958 to 1962, finishing with 96 saves. At retirement, that was fourth in MLB history.

Achievement	Year	League Leading
Games Pitched	1955	60 games
Saves	1956	19 saves
Saves	1957	17 saves
Games Finished	1956	47 games

Labine also set Dodgers franchise records for career saves (96) and games pitched (425). His 513 career games made him one of the most durable relievers of his time.

Impact in High-Pressure Games

Labine delivered his most unforgettable performances during postseason moments that really shaped his legacy.

His 10-inning shutout in Game 6 of the 1956 World Series stands out as his crowning achievement. With the Dodgers facing elimination, manager Walt Alston made the surprising call to start Labine.

Labine threw a complete-game shutout and beat the Yankees’ Bob Turley 1-0 in a tense pitcher’s duel. The Dodgers won thanks to a Jackie Robinson hit in the bottom of the 10th inning.

Catcher Roy Campanella called it the best performance of Labine’s career.

Back in the 1951 National League playoff series, Labine shut out the Giants 10-0 in Game 2. He didn’t allow a hit over the final 4.2 innings and kept the Dodgers alive in that three-game series.

In the 1955 World Series, Labine’s clutch pitching played a huge role in Brooklyn’s first championship. He came into Game 4 with the bases loaded and two outs, got the final out without giving up a run, then pitched four more innings and earned the win.

Final Seasons and Retirement in 1962

Clem Labine spent his last years in Major League Baseball moving between three teams as his career wound down. The veteran reliever had brief stints with the Detroit Tigers, Pittsburgh Pirates, and New York Mets before he retired in 1962.

Tenure with the Detroit Tigers

After most of his career with the Brooklyn and Los Angeles Dodgers, Labine landed with the Detroit Tigers in the early 1960s. Pitching in Detroit was a big shift from the National League teams he knew so well.

His time with the Tigers showed that age was catching up to him. Labine struggled to find the consistency that made him so valuable during his prime with the Dodgers.

The Tigers mostly used him in relief, his familiar role, but he just couldn’t make the same impact as he did on those pennant-winning teams.

Trade to Pittsburgh Pirates

Labine’s career took another turn when he joined the Pittsburgh Pirates, bringing him back to the National League where he’d had his best years.

With Pittsburgh, Labine became part of a World Championship team in 1960. That win gave him his third World Series title, adding to his Dodgers championships from 1955 and 1959.

The Pirates valued his experience and leadership in the bullpen, even as his physical skills faded. Labine’s veteran presence helped support Pittsburgh’s run that year.

Final Stint with the New York Mets

Labine’s career came full circle when he joined the expansion New York Mets in 1962. The team was brand new, making its debut in MLB history.

He pitched in the Mets’ very first game and took the mound in the final inning. Labine allowed one hit and one unearned run during that historic appearance.

His worst outing with the Mets happened on April 18 against the St. Louis Cardinals. He pitched two innings and gave up five runs in a rough 15-5 loss.

Notable Mets Statistics:

• Games Pitched: 3
• Final Appearance: Best performance, 1 inning with 2 strikeouts against Cincinnati

Retirement Decision and Announcements

After the 1962 season, Labine decided to retire from professional baseball. His MLB career wrapped up after 13 seasons, ending at age 36.

His effectiveness had dropped off, and his final season stats showed how tough it was to keep competing at that level after so many years.

Labine finished with 77 wins, 56 losses, and 96 saves in 513 games. He earned All-Star selections in 1956 and 1957 and led the league in saves both years.

Once he retired, Labine moved on from baseball and worked for a clothing company before becoming a banker. He kept homes in Rhode Island and Vero Beach, showing that he could adapt and succeed outside the game.

Legacy, Personal Life, and Later Years

After leaving baseball in 1962, Clement Walter Labine built a successful business career but stayed closely connected to the sport he loved. His work as a relief specialist and his role in the Brooklyn Dodgers’ championship teams secured his spot in baseball history.

Post-Retirement Activities

Labine managed to shift from baseball to the business world after hanging up his cleats. He started out with a clothing company, then made his way into banking. That move really showed his adaptability beyond the diamond.

He kept homes in Rhode Island and Vero Beach, Florida. Vero Beach became especially important to him, and he got deeply involved with Dodgertown activities. Since 1987, he lived there full time and took on the role of baseball instructor.

Labine became a popular fixture at adult baseball camps at Dodgertown. He often appeared with former teammates like Duke Snider, Carl Erskine, Ralph Branca, and Preacher Roe.

These camps gave him a chance to share stories and experiences that fans grew to love, especially after Roger Kahn’s book “The Boys of Summer” came out in 1972.

His 40th and final appearance at the camp happened in early 2007, just weeks before he passed away. That long commitment to teaching baseball really showed his lasting passion for the game.

Impact on the Game and Recognition

Clem Labine helped pioneer the role of relief specialist in baseball. He was one of the first pitchers to focus on entering games late to preserve wins, a move that helped shape the modern closer.

He led the National League in saves twice and racked up 96 saves over his 13-year career, which was pretty impressive for that era. His 77-56 record and 3.63 ERA reflected how effective he could be.

World Series Performance:

• Appeared in 5 World Series (4 with Dodgers, 1 with Pirates)
• Won 3 championships (1955, 1959 Dodgers; 1960 Pirates)
• Posted 1.65 ERA over 27.1 World Series innings

Vin Scully, the legendary Dodgers broadcaster, once said, “Clem Labine was one of the main reasons the Dodgers won it all in 1955. He had the heart of a lion and the intelligence of a wily fox.”

Personal Life and Passing

Labine was born on August 6, 1926, in Lincoln, Rhode Island, and grew up in Woonsocket. The Dodgers signed him in 1944 when he was just 18.

His baseball career paused for military service during World War II from 1945 to 1946.

He married Barbara, who survived him, along with their five children. His family included son Clem Jr. of Woonsocket and four daughters: Kim Archambault and Gail Ponanski of Smithfield, Rhode Island; Susan Gershkoff of Lincoln, Rhode Island; and Barbara Grubbs of Reno.

He also had five grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

Labine died on March 2, 2007, at Indian River Memorial Hospital in Vero Beach, Florida. He was 80.

He had been hospitalized for pneumonia and congestive heart failure, fell into a coma, and never woke up.

Tom Lasorda, his former teammate, remembered him fondly, saying, “Clem Labine was one of the greatest guys I had the pleasure of playing with. He represented the Dodgers with class, dignity and character.”

Grave and Memorial Information

On Thursday, family and friends gathered for a memorial service at St. Helen Church in Vero Beach. Cox-Gifford-Seawinds Funeral Home took care of the arrangements and posted an online condolence page on their website.

Instead of flowers, the family encouraged donations to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee. Honestly, that request says a lot about Labine—he really cared about kids and wanted to help however he could.

Broadcasters never agreed on how to pronounce his name. Most said “luh-BYNE,” but the original was actually “lah-BIN,” with the stress on the second syllable.

That little detail stuck around. Fans and baseball historians still mention it when they talk about the relief pitcher who changed the way teams play the game.