Former Dodger and five-time World Champion Bill “Moose” Skowron died on Friday of congestive heart failure at Northwest Community Hospital in Arlington Heights, Ill. He was 81 years old.

Skowron played for the Yankees from 1954-1962 and helped them win four World Series titles. In three of them, he hit home runs in the seventh and decisive games, one of only two players in MLB history to have done so. He was traded to the Dodgers in November of 1962 and helped them win the World Series in 1963 for his fifth ring. The Dodgers traded Skowron to the expansion Washington Senators in 1964, something that he was never very happy about. He was also an 8-time All Star.

Moose helped the Dodger sweep the Yankees in four games during the 1963 World Series

“There weren’t many better guys than Moose,” said former teammate and Hall of Fame catcher Yogi Berra, the only other player to hit three Game 7 home runs. “He was a dear friend and a great team man; a darn good ballplayer, too.”

“Moose could really hit the baseball, especially home runs to right field,” said Bob Turley, Skowron’s former roommate and fellow Yankee. “I was glad Moose was on my team because he always wanted to win.”

Born William Joseph Skowron Jr. on Chicago’s North Side, Skowron was given his nickname at age seven after his grandfather gave him a haircut which his friends said made him look like Italian dictator Mussolini. The nickname was quickly shortened to Moose and stuck with him his entire life.

I vividly recall watching Moose play at Dodger Stadium during his one season with the Dodgers and during the 1963 World Series. He was clearly a fan favorite. I also had the pleasure of meeting Moose last November at the LA Dodgers Adult Baseball Camp held at Dodgertown in Vero Beach, Florida. Even at (then) age 80, he was as sharp as a tack and had an incredible sense of humor. He never missed an opportunity to “thank” the Dodgers (if you get my drift) for trading him to the lowly expansion Washington Senators, especially after helping the Dodgers beat the Yankees in the 1963 World Series.

Meeting Moose Skowron was one of the many highlights of attending Dodger Fantasy Camp last November

The Dodgers recognized and honored Moose with a moment of silence prior to Friday night’s game at Dodger Stadium against (ironically) the Washington Nationals. Skowron is survived by his wife Lorraine, his daughter Lynnette, his sons Greg and Steve, his brother Edward and four grandchildren.