Obituary: Alvin Ralph Dark – Five Sports 43-44, Coach 47, Military Veteran – Nov. 13, 2014

Alvin Ralph Dark – January 7, 1922 – November 13, 2014

Easley

Alvin Ralph Dark, 92, of Easley, husband of Jackie Dark, passed away Thursday, November 13, 2014 at his home.

Born January 7, 1922 in Comanche, Oklahoma, he was a son of the late Ralph Jacob and Cordia Stallings Dark. Mr. Dark was a WWII veteran serving in the US Marines and was a member of Rock Springs Baptist Church. Throughout his professional baseball career, he was the 1948 rookie of the year, a three time All Star, and two time World Series Champion. He retired from Major League Baseball in 1977.

Private services are being arranged.

Robinson Funeral Home-Powdersville Road.

* * * * * * * * * *

Athletic Network Footnote by Ed Dugas

Click here for the undefeated 1943 Football season led by Alvin Dark at QB who completed the season with a victory in the Oil Bowl in Houston.  

Click here for Alvin Dark’s jersey being retired at the Dec. 2, 2006 ULM football game.

Click here for Alvin Dark’s AN profile.

On July 6, 1964, former Ragin’ Cajun Alvin Dark appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated, as the manager of the San Francisco Giants. Dark and Hall of Famer Jackie Robinson are the only baseball players in Major League history to win the Rookie of the Year award for the entire League. In 1949, the American and National Leagues began awarding separate Rookie of the Year awards for their respective leagues. Dark later went on to manage the Oakland Athletics to a World Championship in 1974. Image courtesy of sicovers.com and Chris Yandle, UL Sports Information.

Please click here for the photo gallery of the reception honoring Alvin Dark on Dec. 1, 2006 (extensive gallery – allow time for it to upload).