Former Brooklyn Dodger Koy dies

The Associated Press

01/02/2007 12:44 AM ET

BELLVILLE, Texas -- Ernie Koy, the former Brooklyn Dodgers outfielder who homered in his first at-bat in the Majors, died Monday. He was 97.
Koy's family said he died in his sleep at home, longtime University of Texas sports information director Bill Little said. Koy, a rancher, broke his hip on Dec. 1.

Koy, known as "Big Ernie," was a three-time, all-Southwest Conference selection in football, where he was a running back, and baseball. He is in the Longhorn Hall of Honor and Texas Sports Hall of Fame.

Koy played 10 years of pro baseball, including five in the Majors. He played for the Dodgers from 1938-40, then spent time with the St. Louis Cardinals, the Cincinnati Reds and the Philadelphia Phillies before joining the Navy in 1942.

He hit a three-run homer in his first at-bat in the Majors and finished his career average with a .279 average, 36 home runs and 260 RBIs. He played in the first televised baseball game and the first night game at Ebbets Field.

His two sons, Ted and Ernie Jr., played on national championship football teams at Texas in 1963 and 1969.

In addition to his sons, he is survived by wife Jane, daughter Margaret Kistler and seven grandchildren.

Funeral services are Wednesday at St. Mary's Episcopal Church in Bellville.