Farewell to a Fan Favorite: Al Ferrara, Former Dodgers Player
Former Dodger outfielder Al Ferrara, a member of World Series championship teams in 1963 and 1965, passed away on Friday after a lengthy illness. He was 84.
A native of Brooklyn, New York, Ferrara signed with the Dodgers as an amateur free agent prior to the 1959 season. He made his Major League debut with the Dodgers on July 30, 1963. In five seasons with Los Angeles, Ferrara slashed .256/.328/.416/.744 with 23 home runs and 84 RBI in 249 games.
One of his most memorable moments in Los Angeles occurred on May 15, 1965, against the Chicago Cubs at Dodger Stadium. Chicago left-hander Dick Ellsworth had a no-hitter and 1–0 lead in the eighth inning with one out when Ferrara came off the bench as a pinch-hitter and hit a three-run home run. It was the Dodgers’ only hit in a 3–1 victory.
Ferrara was also a member of the Dodgers’ 1966 National League pennant winning team, which lost to Baltimore in the World Series.
In 1967, Ferrara was voted the Dodger of the Year after he batted .277 in 122 games with a career-high 16 home runs and 50 RBI.
Ferrara also played for the San Diego Padres (1969–71) and Cincinnati Reds (1971).
Ferrara’s nickname, “The Bull,” was coined by Los Angeles sportswriter Bob Hunter. Off the field. Ferrara made several cameos on television shows in the 1960s, including “Gilligan’s Island” and “Batman.”
Ferrara returned to the Dodger organization in 2009 as an Alumni ambassador and continued to make appearances representing the Dodgers and serving the community through this year. Ferrara’s passion for signing autographs, doing baseball clinics, reading to kids at libraries and simply wearing the Dodger uniform at appearances was part of his beloved persona.
“We are saddened to hear the news of Al Ferrara’s passing today,” said Stan Kasten, President & CEO, Los Angeles Dodgers. “Not only was Al a memorable player for the Dodgers in the 1960s, but he tirelessly supported the Dodgers community efforts and was one of our most committed alumni supporters. We extend our sympathies to his family.”
Survivors include Ferrara’s son, Al III, and grandchildren Al,IV and Samantha.
