Walter Emmons Alston, nicknamed "Smokey," was a revered American baseball manager best known for his long tenure with the Brooklyn and Los Angeles Dodgers. He managed the team for 23 consecutive seasons, famously signing 23 one-year contracts and leading them to seven National League pennants. Under his leadership, the Dodgers won four World Series titles, with the first being the franchise's only championship while in Brooklyn. Alston was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1983, cementing his legacy as one of the sport's greatest and most respected managers.