Don Newcombe (1926-2019). Photo credit: Los Angeles Dodgers social media account.

LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles Dodgers will honor the legacy of pitching great Don Newcombe, who passed away Tuesday at the age of 92, with a commemorative uniform number “36” patch, it was announced Thursday by Dodger President Stan Kasten.

Newcombe, who along with Jackie Robinson and Roy Campanella, helped pave the way for African Americans to play in the Major Leagues, played eight years of his 10-year Major League career with the Brooklyn-Los Angeles Dodgers.

“Don Newcombe played a major role on and off the field for the Dodgers and we want to honor his legacy to our organization and all of baseball by recognizing him throughout the 2019 season,” said Kasten. The patch will be on the Dodger jersey beginning Opening Day.

The Los Angeles Dodgers have previously honored former players Jim Gilliam (1978), Tim Crews (1993), Don Drysdale (1993), Roy Campanella (1993), Pee Wee Reese (1999) and Duke Snider (2011) with commemorative patches.

Newcombe reached the pinnacle of his career in 1956, when he won both the Cy Young and NL Most Valuable Player awards as a Dodger. Newcombe went 27-7 with a 3.06 ERA, leading the NL in fewest-hits-and-walks-allowed per nine innings. He was named the Rookie of the Year in 1949.

The Dodgers will also honor Don Newcombe in pregame ceremonies on April 27, when they induct him into the Legends of Dodger Baseball and salute him with a commemorative bobblehead.