R.I.P. to Jean Buckley, an outfielder in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League (AAGPBL) for three seasons. She died on July 7 at the age of 87. She played for the Kenosha Comets (1950-51) and Rockford Peaches (1952). Jean "Buckets" Buckley was born in Dorchester, Mass., on December 4, 1931. She grew up in Boston … Continue reading Obituary: Jean Buckley (1931-2019)
R.I.P. to Don Mossi, an All-Star pitcher equally at home in the bullpen or the starting rotation. It has been reported that he died on July 19 at the age of 90. Mossi pitched for the Cleveland Indians (1954-58), Detroit Tigers (1959-63), Chicago White Sox (1964) and Kansas City Athletics (1965). A post on his … Continue reading Obituary: Don Mossi (1929-2019)
R.I.P. to Elijah "Pumpsie" Green, a versatile infielder who has the distinction of being the first African-American ballplayer for the Boston Red Sox, the last MLB team to integrate. He died on July 17 at the age of 85. Green played for the Red Sox (1959-62) and New York Mets (1963). "Pumpsie Green occupies a … Continue reading Obituary: “Pumpsie” Green (1933-2019)
Here lies Leonidas Lee, who played 4 games for the 1877 St. Louis Brown Stockings. He never appeared in any other professional baseball league, so you might think that there’s not much to his story. Actually, one of the reasons that I enjoy the baseball research of this particular hobby is tracking down interesting people … Continue reading Grave Story: Leonidas Lee (1860-1912)
R.I.P. to Ernie Broglio, a 20-game winner and, yes, part of one of baseball's most infamous trades. His daughter announced that he died on July 16 at the age of 83. He had been battling cancer. Broglio pitched for the St. Louis Cardinals (1959-1964) and Chicago Cubs (1964-66). Ernie Broglio, left, and Stan Musial celebrate … Continue reading Obituary: Ernie Broglio (1935-2019)
R.I.P. to Joe Grzenda, the last pitcher ever for the Washington Senators and an early short relief specialist. He died on July 12 at his home in Covington, Pa., at the age of 82. Grzenda played for the Detroit Tigers (1961), Kansas City Athletics (1964, 1966), New York Mets (1967), Minnesota Twins (1969), Washington Senators … Continue reading Obituary: Joe Grzenda (1937-2019)
Here lies Johnny Blanchard, a long-time backup outfielder and catcher and a World Series hero. He was one of the great pinch hitters of his era. Blanchard played for the New York Yankees (1955; 1959-65), Kansas City Athletics (1965) and Milwaukee Braves (1965). Johnny Blanchard was born in Minneapolis on February 26, 1933. He attended … Continue reading Grave Story: Johnny Blanchard (1933-2009)
R.I.P. to Glenn Mickens, pitcher for the Brooklyn Dodgers and a longtime coach on the UCLA baseball team. He died from pneumonia on July 9 at the age of 88. Mickens played for the Dodgers in 1953. Glenn Mickens was born in Wilmar, Calif., on July 26, 1930. He stayed in California for his education, … Continue reading Obituary: Glenn Mickens (1930-2019)
R.I.P. to Jim Bouton, who went from an All-Star pitcher to a bestselling author to a baseball pariah to entertainment personality to a beloved and respected baseball figure. He died on July 10, at the age of 80. The ex-pitcher had suffered a severe stroke in 2012, which led to cerebral amyloid angiopathy, a disease … Continue reading Obituary: Jim Bouton (1939-2019)
R.I.P. to Paul Schramka, who had the briefest of major league careers -- 2 appearances with the 1953 Chicago Cubs. He went on to a long career serving as a funeral director in the Milwaukee area. He died on July 8 at the age of 91. Source: Schramka Funeral Home Paul Schramka was born in … Continue reading Obituary: Paul Schramka (1928-2019)
