As 2020 comes to a close, it's a good time to look back on some of those notables in the baseball world who left us in 2020. It's been a particularly tough year, as more than 110 ex-MLB ballplayers passed away, as well as a number of managers, executives, Negro League ballplayers and All American … Continue reading Remembering those we lost in 2020
Category: Baseball News
Charley Pride and Nashville’s lethal ignorance
The death of Charley Pride left a giant hole in the heart of country music. He was the genre’s first African-American star, and decades later, still one of a handful of people of color to have any kind of lasting success as a country singer. Despite enduring a stream of racist behavior from country music … Continue reading Charley Pride and Nashville’s lethal ignorance
2020 was as bad as you thought it was
Ever wonder what it's like writing baseball-related obituaries in 2020? In a word, it's been exhausting. Let's use this week as an example. I wrote and published stories on Tommy Sandt and Bill Spanswick on December 5 and 7, respectively. While I was working on those, reports came out that that Lorenzo "Chico" Fernandez died, … Continue reading 2020 was as bad as you thought it was
Twins prospect dies in New Zealand
RIP to Ryan Costello, an infielder in the Minnesota Twins organization. It was announced that Costello died in Auckland, New Zealand, overnight. The 23-year-old had arrived in the country last week in preparation to play with the Auckland Tuatara of the Australian Baseball League over the winter. Initial reports indicate that Costello died of natural … Continue reading Twins prospect dies in New Zealand
Tigers minor-leaguer dies after skateboarding accident
Chace Numata, a switch-hitting catcher in the Detroit Tigers organization, died on September 2 from injuries suffered in a skateboarding accident. Numata, who was 27 and a member of the Erie SeaWolves, was hospitalized in Erie, Pa., after a fall early on August 29. Video surveillance footage showed that Numata's skateboard suddenly stopped as if … Continue reading Tigers minor-leaguer dies after skateboarding accident
The Bivens family could use your help
I've been trying to figure out how to write about the tragedy that took place in West Virginia yesterday that deeply affected the baseball world. In case you'd missed it, the family of 24-year-old Rays pitching prospect Blake Bivens, including his wife Emily, 1-year-old son Cullen and mother-in-law, were murdered yesterday. The suspect, Emily's brother, … Continue reading The Bivens family could use your help
Angels minor-leaguer turned deputy killed in car accident
San Bernardino County Deputy Nicholas O'Loughlin, 28, was killed in an off-duty car accident with an alleged drunk driver on February 17 in Chino, Calif. His car was struck by another vehicle driven by Yijie Mao, 26, according to KTLA News. Mao was determined to be under the influence of alcohol and marijuana, according to … Continue reading Angels minor-leaguer turned deputy killed in car accident
Teaching Negro Leagues history through the power of Bobbleheads
(This is a bit of a departure from what I normally do, but when a bunch of excellent baseball people get together and launch something amazing, I just have to write about it.) Bobbleheads are charming. Bobbleheads are the undisputed king of baseball giveaway day goodies. Bobbleheads are… educational? In the case of a special … Continue reading Teaching Negro Leagues history through the power of Bobbleheads
Former MLBers Luis Valbuena, Jose Castillo killed in car accident
Late last night (December 6), it was reported that Luis Valbuena, 33, and Jose Castillo, 37, were killed in a car accident. More details are coming in this morning. I will try to update this post as needed. Separate posts about the two players will be forthcoming. Valbuena and Castillo were teammates on the Cardenales … Continue reading Former MLBers Luis Valbuena, Jose Castillo killed in car accident
Stockton Ports bullpen catcher among three killed in car accident
The Stockton Ports, the Single-A affiliate of the Oakland A's, announced that bullpen catcher Angel Muñoz died in a car accident on Sunday, December 2. Muñoz, 19, was killed along with two of his friends, Sean Acosta, 20, and Kurtis Acosta, 19. The Modesto Bee reports that the three Stockton, Calif., residents were driving in … Continue reading Stockton Ports bullpen catcher among three killed in car accident
