Helmar “This Great Game” Card #38 – Roy Campanella (Brooklyn Dodgers)

This Helmar “This Great Game” portrait captures Roy Campanella, the great catcher of the Brooklyn Dodgers, in a moment of poised strength. The artist’s composition is bold and balanced—Campanella stands slightly turned, his gaze fixed upward as if anticipating the next pitch. Behind him, planes of color in gold, red, and green evoke both the optimism and dynamism of postwar baseball. The fine brushwork gives weight to his uniform and quiet confidence to his expression, embodying a man whose courage matched his talent. The portrait radiates both athletic mastery and human resilience.

Roy Campanella was born in 1921 in Philadelphia to an African-American mother and an Italian father. Before reaching the Major Leagues, he spent nearly a decade starring in the Negro Leagues and in Mexico, developing into one of the finest catchers of his era. When he joined the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1948, following Jackie Robinson’s pioneering debut, Campanella quickly became a cornerstone of the team’s success. He combined defensive brilliance, a powerful throwing arm, and clutch hitting with a leader’s presence behind the plate.

Over ten seasons in the Majors, Campanella was named to eight All-Star teams and won three National League MVP Awards (1951, 1953, 1955)—a feat few catchers have matched. He guided the Dodgers’ famed pitching staff with authority and was instrumental in their long-awaited 1955 World Series victory. Off the field, his grace and professionalism helped further integrate the sport and inspire future generations of players.

Tragically, Campanella’s playing career ended after a car accident in 1958 left him paralyzed from the shoulders down. Yet his spirit endured: he became an ambassador for the Dodgers and a beacon of perseverance. His legacy remains that of a man who met adversity with courage, and whose greatness went beyond the game itself.

Helmar’s “This Great Game” series honors the icons whose determination and talent shaped baseball’s history. Card No. 38 pays tribute to Roy Campanella—a catcher, a champion, and an inspiration for all time.

Original gouache painting by Sanjay Verma.