Walt Dropo Dies at age 87

Walt Dropo died of natural causes at age 87 at his home near Boston.  Dropo was a prototypical 50's power hitter, the 6'5" 220lb "Moose from Moosup" was a three sport star at the University of Connecticut before signing with the Boston Red Sox.  A great article about his his connections to UConn appears in ctpost.com

 Dropo had a brilliant rookie season in 1950, hitting .322 with 34 dingers and 144 RBI's.  He won the AL Rookie of the Year award. 

 Unfortunately his first hurrah would be his best.  Dropo struggled his sophomore season and spent most of 1951 the minors trying to find his swing.  Dropo played in the majors until 1961.  A slow, big man capable of occasional power, Dropo played first base with the Red Sox, White Sox, Cincinnati Redlegs, and Detroit.  He had all the stockings covered.  Dropo's best years were 1950 and 1952.

Red Sox vice president for publications and archives, Dick Bresciani, remembered Dropo as an important member of the Red Sox in the post-war era and a valued member of the Red Sox community. 

"He was an outstanding gentleman and did a lot of good things for our organization in the community when his playing days were over," Bresciani said.