May 1, 2012

OXFORD, Ohio -- Miami Baseball will honor a local legend on May 5 when it hosts Walter Alston Day at McKie Field, remembering the former Darrtown resident and Los Angeles Dodgers manager. The RedHawks host Akron at 6 p.m. that night as part of the final weekend home series.

Representatives of Alston's family, still living in Darrtown, will throw out the ceremonial first pitch before the game. Also before the game, the Walter Alston Room at McKie Field will be open, allowing fans to see several pieces of memorabilia on display at the stadium. Other historical references to Alston's career will be available, as well.

Born Walter Emmons Alston on Dec. 1, 1911, he lettered three years for Miami in both baseball and basketball. He played professionally for the St. Louis Cardinals organization, playing just one game at the major league level. After stints in the minors as both a player and manager, Alston returned to the big leagues with the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1954, then moved with the team to Los Angeles.

Alston won seven National League pennants in his 23 years tenure as Dodgers manager. The franchise won four world championships as well -- in 1955 with Brooklyn and in 1959, 1963 and 1965 with Los Angeles. Named Manager of the Year six times, Alston also guided a victorious NL All-Star squad a record seven times. He retired after the 1976 season with 2,063 wins (2,040 in the regular season and 23 in the postseason) and was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in 1983.

The Miami University Athletic Hall of Famer lived in Darrtown until his death on October 1, 1984.