Walt “Moose” Dropo was a Local Legend

On Friday, at the age of 87, Walt Dropo passed away. Many know the Moosup, CT native as the Red Sox Rookie of the Year in 1950, but to me, he will always be known as one of, if not the greatest, athletes to ever attend the University of Connecticut. Growing up near the Storrs, CT campus and then attending UConn for my undergrad education, Dropo was a name known throughout the community. Known as the “Moose from Moosup,” Dropo attended Plainfield High School in the late 1930’s and early 1940’s and was a letter holder in 4 sports (football, baseball, basketball and track). He began his tenure at UConn in 1941, playing football, basketball and baseball, but took 3 years off to serve his country in the Army. When he returned, he continued to shine athletically, finally being drafted in both professional basketball and football. He instead chose to sign an amateur contract with the Boston Red Sox in 1947.

"He was a giant of a man and very proud of his family and heritage. When he walked into a room, he had has this great presence. You knew he was there and he just captured everyone. -Dee Rowe, UConn’s Special Adviser for Athletics"

While with the Red Sox, Dropo endeared himself to the Fenway faithful by putting together one of the greatest rookie seasons in the history of baseball in 1950. He led the AL in rbis (144) and total bases (326) while batting .322 with 34 home runs (2nd in the AL). As if that wasn’t enough, Dropo was 2nd in the AL in slugging percentage (.583) and extra base hits (70) as well. Dropo was not only making history for UConn athletics, he was also making a name for himself in the MLB, winning the AL Rookie of the Year award and getting a nod to the AL All-Star team. Unfortunately for Dropo, a broken wrist in 1951 significantly slowed his promising career, but 13 years later, the 1st baseman had appeared in 1,288 major league games for a total of 4 teams (2 stints with the Chicago White Sox) before retiring.

Everyone who knew Dropo echoes the same sentiment: he was a proud and giving individual. At the drop of a hat, he would do whatever he could for his alma mater and loved UConn with all of his heart. In 2001 he was honored as a member of UConn Basketball’s All-Century Team and then in 2006, he was part of the exclusive inaugural class of inductees to Connecticut’s Huskies of Honor basketball hall of fame. For a man that lived and breathed UConn athletics, his passing comes at one of the most historic moments in sports history for the University. The football team is about to embark on a journey to the school’s 1st BCS Bowl appearance on January 1st after winning the Big East conference, the Women’s Basketball team won their 88th straight victory on Sunday to tie the UCLA Men’s Basketball record and the Men’s basketball team is ranked #4 in the nation.

Whether you know Dropo for his accolades at UConn or his magical season in Boston with the Red Sox, he is a legend in the New England community and will be sorely missed.

"Walt Dropo was the forerunner of all the great student-athletes we have had here at UConn. Wherever he went, he had UConn on his jersey. People around the country knew of UConn because of Walt Dropo. If Walt was here today, he would be talking about how the football team was going to the Fiesta Bowl, the national rankings of the men’s and women’s basketball team and going to the NCAA baseball tournament last year. -Dee Rowe, UConn’s Special Adviser for Athletics"