RIP to Tim Talton, who was a catcher for two seasons in the majors in the 1960s. He died on July 22 at Kitty Askins Hospice Center in Goldsboro, N.C. He was 82 years old. Talton played for the Kansas City Athletics in 1966 and '67. Marion Lee Talton was born in Pikeville, N.C., on … Continue reading Obituary: Tim Talton (1939-2021)
Over the course of my cemetery travels the last few years, I have come across a fair share of unmarked graves. Many times, I’ve wished I could do something about it, but I didn’t have the funds or the know-how to make such a thing happen. Now, I’m in a position where I can do … Continue reading The Ed Williamson grave marker project
RIP to pitcher Dick Tidrow, a two-time World Series champ, one of the game's first great set-up relievers, and a long-time baseball executive. He died unexpectedly in Lee's Summit, Mo., on July 10 at the age of 74. His death was announced by the San Francisco Giants, where he spent nearly 30 years working in … Continue reading Obituary: Dick Tidrow (1947-2021)
RIP to Ted Wieand, who pitched for parts of two seasons with the Reds in the 1950s. He died on July 7 at the Lehigh Valley Hospital, Cedar Crest, located in Allentown, Pa. He was 88 years old. Wieand played for the Cincinnati Reds in 1958 and 1960 as part of an 11-year pro baseball … Continue reading Obituary: Ted Wieand (1933-2021)
Here lies Miller Huggins, who had a long career as an undersized but scrappy second basemen before becoming one of the game’s most renowned managers. He is a member of the Baseball Hall of Fame after winning 6 American League pennants and 3 World Series championships with some of the greatest Yankees teams of all … Continue reading Grave Story: Miller Huggins (1878-1929)
RIP to Nino Escalera, one of two players who broke the color line with the Cincinnati Reds. According to the Society for American Baseball Research (SABR) via family members, he died on July 3 in Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico, at the age of 91. Escalera played for the Reds in 1954 and became a very … Continue reading Obituary: Nino Escalera (1929-2021)
RIP to Scott Reid, who had a brief career as an outfielder in the major leagues before becoming an important part of the Detroit Tigers organization as a scout, adviser and vice president of player personnel. He died on June 29 at the age of 74. Reid played for the Philadelphia Phillies from 1969-70 before … Continue reading Obituary: Scott Reid (1947-2021)
Baseball got its start as a pastime played by gentlemen, who believed in the importance of vigorous exercise. Once it took off in popularity and became a national obsession, everyone joined in -- drunks, flakes, oddballs, eccentrics, gamblers, miscreants -- you know, the people who made the game interesting. Before I ever dug into baseball's … Continue reading Baseball in the genteel 19th Century (dodging mattresses & bullets)
RIP to Dwight Siebler, who pitched for several years with the Twins after achieving a baseball milestone at the University of Nebraska. He died on June 16 in Omaha at the age of 83. Siebler pitched for the Minnesota Twins from 1963-67. Dwight Leroy Siebler was born in Columbus, Neb., on August 5, 1937. He … Continue reading Obituary: Dwight Siebler (1937-2021)
Egyptian Healy was not from Egypt, though his baseball career did take him there. He was a pitcher won once won 20 games in a season – and lost 20 games in a season four times. Healy played for the St. Louis Maroons (1885-86), Indianapolis Hoosiers (1887-88), Washington Nationals (1889), Chicago White Stockings (1889), Toledo … Continue reading Grave Story: Egyptian Healy (1866-1899)
