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
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
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
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
(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
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
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
If you like baseball podcasts, you should be listening to Rounders: A History of Baseball in America. Very interesting, well-researched topics -- and I'm not just saying it because I'm interviewed in the most recent episode! Check out the podcast now, available on iTunes, Stitcher and Google Play, to learn about my baseball background, the … Continue reading RIP Baseball featured on Rounders podcast!
The Cincinnati Reds are reporting that three of their players have been involved in a car accident in the Dominican Republic. One player has died and two have been hospitalized. According to WYMT news, the dead player has been identified as pitcher Jairo Capellán, 19. He made 18 relief appearances for the DSL Reds of … Continue reading One Reds prospect killed, two injured in car accident
