Clem Labine
Even though he tipped his pitches for most of his career, slender right-hander Clem Labine looped his curveball over the plate for 13 seasons, serving as a valuable relief pitcher, primarily for the Dodgers. He twice led the National League in saves. The Rhode Island-native pitched in relief in four games in the 1955 World Series for Brooklyn, and started and won Game Six of the Fall Classic the following year, hurling a shutout.
Quotes About Labine
He played the game the way it was supposed to be played. He gave it everything he had, he got along with everyone and everyone loved him." — Tommy Lasorda
Played For
Brooklyn Dodgers (1950-1957)
Los Angeles Dodgers (1958-1960)
Detroit Tigers (1960)
Pittsburgh Pirates (1960-1961)
New York Mets (1962)
Best Season: 1955
He led the NL in games (60), and finished third in saves, with 11. He also notched 13 victories and clubbed three home runs.
Factoids
To remind himself to turn over his non-pitching hand over his pitching hand to better hide the ball from the batter, Clem Labine printed the letters "T-U-R-N" on the four fingers of his glove.
Clem Labine made 26 parachute jumps while serving in World War II.
In 1955, Cleme Labine had just three hits, but all of them were home runs.
Description
"Clem is a nice looking boy of 25 with a blond crewcut and the frendliest of smiles." — from TSN, April 2, 1952
Born
Clement Walter Labine was born on August 6, 1926, in Lincoln, RI.
Died
March 2, 2007, ,
Batted: Right
Threw: Right
Primary Position: P
Primary Team: BRO
College: Rhode Island State College
Major League Debut
April 18, 1950
Nine Other Players Who Debuted in 1950
Joe Adcock
Gus Bell
Jimmy Piersall
Jackie Jensen
Jim Busby
Chico Carrasquel
Billy Martin
Lew Burdette
Whitey Ford
Nicknames
Clem the Crafty
Post-Season Appearances
1953 World Series
1955 World Series
1956 World Series
1959 World Series
1960 World Series
The Pitches He Threw
Labine threw an unorthodox curveball, called a "cunny thumb" curve. It's thrown by holding the thumb parallel to the index and middle fingers, as opposed to the common method of placing the thumb on the opposite side of the ball.
Matchup Data
At one point, Labine retired Stan Musial 49 consecutive times.
All-Star Selections
1956 NL
1957 NL
Learn More about Clem Labine
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