Duke Snider (1947-1962)
Despite being overshadowed by Mickey Mantle and Willie Mays during his time in New York, Duke Snider was a star in his own right.
A key piece of the Dodgers attack, Snider was a great power hitter. He had five consecutive seasons with 40 or more homers, and his 326 home runs were the most in the majors in the 1950s. Snider led the National League in slugging twice, and also led the league in runs scored three times. He was far more than a one dimensional slugger.
His value to the Dodgers was well understood by the fans. Snider made eight All Star Games, despite playing at the same time as two of the greatest center fielders in baseball history. Although he never won an MVP award, he finished second once, and had six top ten finishes overall.
Born in Los Angeles, he was able to return home when the Dodgers moved from Brooklyn. Although his prime had passed due to injuries, Snider still had the first Dodgers hit in their new city, and the first hit in Dodger Stadium. During his time with the franchise, he produced a .300/.384/.553 batting line, hitting 389 homers and driving in 1271 runs.
Duke Snider was a star in his own right, and one of the top players in Dodgers history. His career, had it not been cut short by injuries, could have been right there with Mantle and Mays.