Dandridge was born in Richmond, Virginia, to Archie and Alberta Thompson Dandridge. He played several sports as a child, including baseball, football and boxing. After sustaining a leg injury in football, Dandridge\'s father made him quit that sport. He focused on baseball, often playing with a bat improvised from a tree branch and a golf ball wrapped in string and tape.\n', '

Dandridge lived for a while in Buffalo, New York, before he and his family returned to Richmond. He played baseball locally for teams in Richmond\'s Church Hill district. Dandridge became known for his short, bowed legs, which later led to nicknames including "Hooks" and "Squat". While playing for a local team in 1933, Dandridge was discovered by Detroit Stars manager Candy Jim Taylor.\n', '

He played for the Stars in 1933 and for the Newark Dodgers, which were later called the Newark Eagles, from 1934 to 1938. While with the Eagles, Dandridge was part of the "Million Dollar Infield" that also consisted of Dick Seay, Mule Suttles, and Willie Wells.:p.55\n', '

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