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The Robins begin the year on a down note. Their star catcher, Roy Campanella, has become paralyzed in a car accident and will no longer be able to play. Campanella was a true star, and the team will have to learn to get by without him.

Here, then, is a summary of the 1958 Robins, opening day.

Rotation:
LHP Sandy Koufax, 22, 5-4, 3.88 ERA in 1957. He’s young with a lot of potential, but he hasn’t realized that potential yet. Look for a breakout year in 1958 if he is going to have one.

RHP Don Drysdale, 21, 17-9, 2.69 ERA in 1957. Another youngster, but a little more proven, Drysdale hit big with Brooklyn last year.

LHP Johnny Podres, 25, 12-9, 2.66 ERA in 1957. Very good pitcher, still young, could be great.

RHP Don Newcombe, 31, 11-12, 3.49 ERA in 1957. A superb pitcher in the past (won 27 games 2 years ago), Newcombe is looking to bounce back from a bad year in ’57.

Starters:
C Johnny Roseboro, 24, hit .145 in 69 AB in 1957. With Campanella gone, the Robins will look to him to assume catching duties. How well will he fill the superstar’s shoes?

1B Gil Hodges/Frank Howard, 33/21, .299, 27 HR in ’57 / Rookie. Hodges, a solid player still, is aging quickly and Frank Howard is a potential big bat in the future Robins’ lineup. Look for 1B to be a battle this year.

2B Charlie Neal, 27, .270, 12 HR in 1957. Neal is a solid second baseman, probably better than average. He did a good job starting last year and will get the chance again this year.

3B Jim Gilliam/Don Zimmer, 29/27, .250, 2 HR, 26 SB/.219, 6 HR in 1957. Another toss up position. Gilliam had a poor season in 1957. Zimmer has a bit more power and may take the position from him. Also look for a challenge from rookie Don Demeter.

SS Pee Wee Reese, 39, .224, 1 HR in 1957. A superstar in the twilight of his career, Reese has been a fixture on the Brooklyn team through the forties and the fifties. He can still get on base well. We will see how much life he has left in him in 1958.

LF Gino Cimoli, 28, .293, 10 HR in 1957. Cimoli had a strong rookie year in 1957. Fans will be looking for him to follow it up with a better sophomore performance. However, rookie Norm Larker may get some playing time if Cimoli does not come through.

CF Duke Snider, 31, .274, 40 HR, 93 RBI in 1957. The offensive centerpiece of the Robins, Snider is a true star in his prime.

RF Carl Furillo, 36, .306, 12 HR in 1957. How many rightfielders are a threat to throw out runners at first? Furillo has faded a bit, but he is still a good player and he still has a gun for an arm in rightfield.

The Robins will open the season in St. Louis on Aprl 15, where they will meet the cardinals on the 15th and 17th before coming back to Brooklyn, along with the Cards, for a three game series over the weekend.