Pee Wee Reese – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Harold “Pee Wee” Reese wrapped up one of baseball’s most respected careers when he decided to step away from the game in 1958. The Brooklyn Dodgers shortstop had spent 16 seasons on the infield, leading his team to seven National League pennants and earning a reputation as one of the sport’s finest leaders.

He retired at age 40, right after the Dodgers made their historic move from Brooklyn to Los Angeles.

On December 18, 1958, Reese made his retirement official, closing out a career with 2,170 hits, 10 All-Star selections, and a legacy as both a skilled player and a moral leader. That moment really marked the end of an era for the Dodgers, who had to say goodbye to their longtime captain. Reese had guided them through their most successful decades.

He spent his final season mostly as a backup infielder, hitting .224 in 59 games as younger players started to take over.

But honestly, Reese’s career meant so much more than just numbers or awards. His journey from small-town Kentucky to the Hall of Fame tells a story of dedication, leadership, and social progress that changed baseball forever. From his early days in the minors right up to his last season in Los Angeles, Reese’s influence stretched far beyond what any box score could show.

Pee Wee Reese’s Retirement in 1958

After 16 seasons with the Brooklyn Dodgers and Los Angeles Dodgers, Harold “Pee Wee” Reese announced he was retiring on December 18, 1958, at age 40. His exit closed the book on a franchise that had just finished its first season in California.

Circumstances Leading to Retirement

Pee Wee Reese reached the natural end of his playing days in 1958 after serving as the Dodgers’ shortstop for almost two decades. At 40, he had 16 seasons of Major League experience under his belt.

He played through the historic transition when the Brooklyn Dodgers moved to Los Angeles before the 1958 season. That move changed a lot for him, since he had spent most of his career at Ebbets Field in Brooklyn.

At retirement, Reese had put up 2,170 hits, 1,338 runs, 885 RBIs, and a .269 batting average. He made the All-Star team ten times.

He led the Dodgers to seven National League pennants and helped them win the 1955 World Series. His leadership on the field was huge for the team’s success in the 1940s and 1950s.

Impact on Dodgers Organization

The Los Angeles Dodgers lost their veteran leader and captain when Pee Wee Reese retired. His absence left a real gap in the infield and in the clubhouse.

Reese had served as team captain and everyone knew him for his steady presence. His experience and baseball smarts helped younger players throughout his career.

The Dodgers valued him so much that they offered him a coaching job right after he retired. They clearly wanted to keep his knowledge and leadership in the organization.

His retirement really ended the Brooklyn era for the Dodgers. He was one of the last links to their roots in New York. Moving to Los Angeles had already changed a lot about the team’s identity.

Reactions from Fans and Teammates

Fans who followed Pee Wee Reese through his career felt sad when he retired. Plenty of Brooklyn fans still felt a connection to him, even after the team moved to California.

His teammates respected his decision, knowing that age and a long career had caught up with him. Reese had mentored a lot of younger players in his final years.

People around baseball recognized what he brought to the game, especially his role in supporting Jackie Robinson during MLB integration. His leadership during that time earned him a lot of respect.

Former teammates and opponents praised his consistency and professionalism. His reputation as a top shortstop and team leader made him one of the most respected players of his era.

Career Achievements and Milestones

Pee Wee Reese built an impressive legacy in his 16 seasons with the Brooklyn and Los Angeles Dodgers from 1940 to 1958. He won a World Series in 1955, made ten All-Star teams, and got his Hall of Fame induction in 1984.

World Series Success and Highlights

Reese played in seven World Series, finally winning the championship that had always seemed just out of reach in 1955. He hit .296 in that series against the Yankees, helping Brooklyn win its first and only title.

That 1955 win must have felt amazing for Reese and the Dodgers. After falling to the Yankees in 1947, 1949, 1952, and 1953, Brooklyn finally broke through. Reese’s calm leadership and clutch hitting made a real difference in that seven-game series.

He played in World Series for both Brooklyn and Los Angeles. Reese made his final World Series appearance in 1958, his last season, as the Dodgers reached the Fall Classic after moving west.

All-Star Appearances and Awards

Reese earned ten All-Star selections, showing just how consistently excellent he was at shortstop. Those honors came between 1947 and 1954, which were really his peak years.

People around baseball recognized his defensive skill. Reese led National League shortstops in putouts four times and still ranks among the top ten all-time in putouts and double plays at his position.

His leadership mattered just as much as his stats. Reese captained the Dodgers and mentored younger players, most famously Jackie Robinson during integration.

Key Career Stats: Batting, Defense, and OPS

Reese finished with a .269 batting average, 2,170 hits, 126 homers, and 885 RBIs. His .366 on-base percentage showed his patience and ability to work counts as a leadoff hitter.

Career Offensive Numbers:

• Batting Average: .269
• On-Base Percentage: .366
• Slugging Percentage: .377
• OPS: .743
• Runs Scored: 1,338

He averaged about 100 runs per 162 games. Reese walked more than he struck out, which says a lot about his plate discipline. He stole 232 bases at a 70.1% success rate, even though stealing bases wasn’t a big trend in his era.

People considered Reese one of the best defensive shortstops of his time. His range, strong arm, and baseball IQ made him the anchor of the Dodgers’ infield for nearly 20 years.

Hall of Fame Induction

The Baseball Hall of Fame brought Reese in as a member in 1984, honoring his stellar career and what he meant to the game. His induction came 26 years after he retired, recognizing both his numbers and his intangible leadership.

Reese made his Hall case with his offense, defense, and durability. He only missed three seasons for World War II service and played 140 or more games in almost every other year.

His legacy goes way beyond stats. Reese’s support of Jackie Robinson and his leadership on seven pennant-winning teams cemented his place among baseball’s most respected figures.

Early Life and Road to the Major Leagues

Harold Peter Henry “Pee Wee” Reese was born July 23, 1918, in Ekron, Kentucky, where he learned the game before pro scouts noticed him. His journey from a small Kentucky town to the Dodgers made him one of baseball’s most respected shortstops.

Background and Early Baseball Years

Pee Wee Reese grew up in Ekron, Kentucky. He got his nickname from his skill at marbles, not his height.

Reese showed natural athletic talent early on. He played baseball all through his school years.

After high school, he kept playing at a higher level. His skills at shortstop started getting noticed by scouts.

The Louisville Colonels signed Reese to his first pro contract. That minor league team gave him his first real taste of organized ball.

Reese’s time with the Colonels was crucial for his development. He showed off the defensive ability and leadership that would shape his whole career.

His play in Louisville caught the eyes of big league scouts. The Brooklyn Dodgers took a particular interest in the young infielder.

Signing with the Brooklyn Dodgers

The Brooklyn Dodgers bought Reese’s contract from the Louisville Colonels in 1939. That move changed everything for him.

He signed with the Dodgers as a promising young shortstop. The team saw him as their long-term answer at the position.

Brooklyn was building their roster then, looking for young talent to challenge the rest of the National League.

Moving from the minors to the big leagues meant new challenges. Reese had to prove he belonged on the roster.

The Dodgers’ investment in Reese showed real confidence in him. They believed he could anchor their infield for years.

Development as a Shortstop

Reese debuted in Major League Baseball in 1940 with the Brooklyn Dodgers. He was only 21 when he first took the field.

His early seasons showed promise but also some rough patches. Reese worked hard to sharpen his defense and improve his hitting.

He faced the challenge of proving himself in the majors. Reese studied the game constantly to get better.

World War II interrupted his career, and he served three years in the U.S. Navy.

When Reese came back in 1946, he was ready for a bigger leadership role. His time in the Navy had matured him, both as a person and a player.

Legacy with the Dodgers

Pee Wee Reese left a mark on the Brooklyn and Los Angeles Dodgers that won’t fade. His leadership as captain and his role in breaking baseball’s color barrier set him apart. Reese’s support of Jackie Robinson during integration stands as one of the most important moments in baseball history.

Leadership and Captaincy

Reese became the Dodgers’ captain in 1950, a role that fit him perfectly. His teammates looked to him for direction on and off the field.

The shortstop earned respect throughout the clubhouse. He led by example, not with speeches or drama.

His steady leadership kept the team on track during tough stretches. The Dodgers won seven National League pennants while he was there from 1940 to 1958.

Key Leadership Moments:

• Turned down a manager job in 1953, choosing to keep playing
• Helped the team stay together during the move to Los Angeles
• Mentored younger players throughout his career

Reese’s presence anchored the Dodgers’ infield for nearly 20 years. His consistency helped create the team’s winning culture during their best era.

Role in Team Integration

When Jackie Robinson joined the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947, some players passed around a petition refusing to play with him. Reese refused to sign it, which pretty much ended the protest.

He didn’t act out of activism, just fairness. When people asked if Robinson might take his job, Reese said, “If he can take my job, he’s entitled to it.”

Reese’s Impact on Integration:

• Refused to sign the anti-Robinson petition
• Publicly backed integration
• Helped make Robinson’s presence normal in the clubhouse

The shortstop from Kentucky could have easily taken the side of players from similar backgrounds. Instead, he judged Robinson by his character and talent.

Reese’s leadership during integration didn’t stop with Robinson. He helped set the standard for accepting Black players on the team.

Relationship with Jackie Robinson

The friendship between Reese and Robinson became legendary in baseball. Together, they formed one of the best defensive duos in the game.

That famous moment happened in Cincinnati, when fans heckled Robinson. Reese walked over during pre-game practice and put his arm around Robinson’s shoulder, quieting the crowd.

That gesture meant a lot, not just in baseball. Journalist Lester Rodney noted that racist fan behavior started to drop off by 1948.

Their Professional Partnership:

• Formed a dominant shortstop-second base combo
• Pulled off a memorable double steal in the 1952 World Series
• Stayed friends long after their playing days

Robinson and Reese remained close after baseball. When Robinson died in 1972, Reese served as one of his pallbearers.

Joe Black, another Black baseball pioneer, summed it up: “When you touched Jackie, you touched all of us.”

The Transition from Brooklyn to Los Angeles

The Brooklyn Dodgers’ historic move to Los Angeles in 1958 really ended an era for both the franchise and Pee Wee Reese. Reese, at 39, played his last season as the team tried to find its footing on the West Coast.

He basically became the bridge between the beloved Brooklyn teams and this new Los Angeles chapter. That’s a tough spot for anyone.

Final Season and Changing Team Dynamics

Pee Wee Reese’s 1958 season showed just how hard it is to deal with both aging and a team in flux. He played in only 59 games during the Dodgers’ first season in Los Angeles, which was a huge drop from his days as a regular starter.

That move from Brooklyn’s cozy Ebbets Field to the massive Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum threw everyone off. Reese, who had been the heart of the Brooklyn Dodgers for almost twenty years, suddenly played a much smaller role in a place that didn’t feel like home.

His limited time on the field in 1958 ended a pretty remarkable streak. From 1941 to 1956, except for his military service, Reese played at least 140 games every year for Brooklyn.

Team dynamics changed a lot after the cross-country move. A lot of veteran players had trouble getting used to their new reality, but Reese still managed to lead, even if he wasn’t playing as much.

Mentoring Younger Players

Even with less time on the field, Reese stepped up as captain and mentor that year. His experience was a lifeline for younger players trying to adjust to a new city and the big-league grind.

He always focused on fundamentals and professionalism when he mentored others. Reese had already shown what kind of leader he was back when Jackie Robinson joined the team, making tough transitions just a bit easier.

The shortstop spot, which Reese had held down since 1940, needed some thoughtful succession planning. With him around, younger infielders could pick up tips from one of the best defensive players in the game.

On October 27, 1958, Reese announced his retirement. He then moved right into a coaching role with the Dodgers, helping shape young talent as the franchise built its new identity in Los Angeles.

Post-Retirement Contributions and Personal Life

After he retired in 1958, Pee Wee Reese stayed close to baseball through coaching and broadcasting. He built a lasting legacy with community involvement and earned recognition for backing Jackie Robinson.

He kept influencing the sport in different roles with the Dodgers organization.

Coaching and Broadcasting Career

Reese jumped into coaching as soon as he stopped playing. He served as a coach for the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 1959 season.

That year, he picked up a second World Series ring when the Dodgers won the championship. Not a bad way to start coaching.

After coaching, Reese switched to broadcasting. He worked as a commentator and analyst for several years, and honestly, his knowledge and way with words made him a natural on air.

The broadcasting career let Reese share his baseball insights with fans everywhere. He broke down complex plays and strategies in a way anyone could get.

His experience as a team captain and veteran player gave him a unique perspective during broadcasts.

Community Involvement and Honors

The Veterans Committee inducted Reese into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1984. That honor recognized his 16-year career and everything he gave to the sport.

The Dodgers retired his number 1 jersey, making sure nobody would forget him.

Reese’s support of Jackie Robinson stands out as one of his most celebrated acts. In 2005, a bronze sculpture of Reese with his arm around Robinson showed up at MCU Park in Brooklyn, honoring their friendship and Reese’s role in integrating baseball.

Later in life, Reese joined all sorts of baseball ceremonies and events. He often talked about his playing days and why sportsmanship mattered.

People always remembered him as a gentleman, both on and off the field.

Personal Life and Enduring Influence

Reese kept up close friendships with his old teammates for most of his life. When Jackie Robinson died in 1972, Reese actually served as one of the pallbearers at his funeral.

That moment really showed just how much their bond reached beyond baseball. In his later years, Reese mostly lived quietly, though he’d pop up now and then at Dodgers events.

He stayed connected to the organization that felt like home for nearly twenty years. Reese died on August 14, 1999, in Louisville, Kentucky, at 81.

His passing felt like the end of an era for Brooklyn Dodgers fans, and honestly, for baseball historians too.