Al Ferrara Passes Away
Today at 08:04 PM
The Dodgers announced the passing of former big league outfielder Al Ferrara at age 84. Nicknamed “The Bull,” Ferrara played five of his eight MLB seasons in Los Angeles.
“We are saddened to hear the news of Al Ferrara's passing today,” Dodgers team president/CEO Stan Kasten said in a press release. “Not only was Al a memorable player for the Dodgers in the 1960s, but he tirelessly supported the Dodgers community efforts and was one of our most committed alumni supporters. We extend our sympathies to his family.”
Ferrara grew up in Brooklyn and signed with the Dodgers in 1958. He played five minor league seasons and earned a brief call-up in ’63. He did not appear in that year’s World Series but collected a ring as the Dodgers swept the Yankees. The righty-hitting outfielder spent the next season in Triple-A and logged limited MLB action between 1965-66, winning another championship in ’65. The Dodgers returned to the Fall Classic in ’66. Ferrara came off the bench for one plate appearance and hit a single in his only career playoff at-bat.
The Dodgers gave Ferrara more run in 1967, using him as a starting corner outfielder in just over half their games. He made the most of that opportunity, hitting .277 with 16 homers in 384 trips to the plate. Ferrara missed most of the ’68 season, his last year with the Dodgers. The newfound Padres selected him in the expansion draft. He hit well over two-plus seasons with San Diego, running a .265/.360/.436 slash with 27 homers through 873 plate appearances. He briefly appeared with the Reds before ending his playing career in 1971. Ferrara returned to the Dodger organization as an Alumni ambassador in 2009, a role he held through this year.
MLBTR sends our condolences to Ferrara’s family, friends, loved ones and the Dodger fans with whom he interacted as part of his Alumni work.
