"He earned the award by hitting .250/.337/.369 with 21 doubles, 12 home runs and 69 RBI over 157 games in his debut season. Lefebvre led the team in home runs that season and bested Joe Morgan for NL Rookie of the Year. Lefebvre had made the Dodgers' Opening Day roster in 1965 as their starting second baseman. Lefebvre rejected a bigger signing bonus from the California Angels and played just three seasons in the Minors before making his MLB debut."
"Lefebvre's career highlights also include being part of the first infield in MLB history that featured all switch-hitters, an All-Star Game selection in 1966 and multiple appearances on "Gilligan's Island" and "Batman" TV shows. Lefebvre played the entirety of his eight-year Major League career with the Dodgers before signing with the Lotte Orions of the Japan Pacific League, where he played four seasons."
"After retiring, Lefebvre spent one year on the Dodgers coaching staff but got into an offseason disagreement with then-manager Tommy Lasorda. Lefebvre's coaching career also included stints as manager of the Seattle Mariners, Chicago Cubs and Milwaukee Brewers. Also on Nov. 26, the Dodgers traded Stan Williams to the New York Yankees for Bill Skowron in 1962. Williams up to that point had pitched five seasons for L.A. and earned an All-Star Game selection in 1960."
Jim Lefebvre was named the 1965 National League Rookie of the Year after hitting .250/.337/.369 with 21 doubles, 12 home runs and 69 RBI across 157 games. He led the Dodgers in home runs and finished ahead of Joe Morgan for the honor. Lefebvre made the Opening Day roster as the starting second baseman and had local roots as an Inglewood native and former Dodger bat boy. He spent eight major league seasons with Los Angeles, later played four seasons in Japan, served on the Dodgers' coaching staff, and managed several MLB teams.
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