Here lies Satchel Paige, one of the greatest pitchers in baseball history. Even though he was prevented from playing Major League Baseball until late in his career, his legend was large enough that he was one of the most famous (and well-paid) pitchers in baseball for decades. After more than 20 years of pitching in … Continue reading Grave Story: Satchel Paige (1906?-1982)
Here lies Jim Green, whose only professional baseball experience came as a member of the Union Association in 1884. He is, I believe, in the unmarked grave in the picture here. The UA itself barely qualifies as a major league, and a good portion of the players from that league never even sniffed the majors … Continue reading Grave Story: Jim Green (1854-1912)
Here lies Joe Kuhel, a slugging first baseman who had an 18-year career as a player and a couple years as a manager. Kuhel played for the Washington Senators (1930-37, 1944-46) and Chicago White Sox (1938-43, 1946-47). Joe Kuhel was born in Cleveland on June 25, 1906. A story about him from 1932 said that … Continue reading Grave Story: Joe Kuhel (1906-1984)
Here lies Steve Sundra, who had a pretty up-and-down career as a pitcher — except for the season when he was almost perfect. Sundra pitched for the New York Yankees (1936, 1938-40), Washington Senators (1941-42) and St. Louis Browns (1942-44, 1946). Steve Sundra was born in Luxor, Pa., on March 27, 1910. He had a … Continue reading Grave Story: Steve Sundra (1910-1952)
Here lies Bob Peterson, briefly a catcher in the major leagues and a long-time, infamous grouch in the minors. While none of the stones in the Peterson plot bear his name, I believe he is buried by the far left marker, along with his wife Ethel and daughter Doris, who was killed when she was … Continue reading Grave Story: Bob Peterson (1884-1962)
Here lies Lee Fohl, who led three teams in an 11-year career as a manager in the big leagues. He also had the briefest of playing careers as a catcher. Fohl played for the Pittsburgh Pirates (1902) and Cincinnati Reds (1903) and managed the Cleveland Indians (1915-1919), St. Louis Browns (1921-1923) and Boston Red Sox … Continue reading Grave Story: Lee Fohl (1876-1965)
Here lies Gabby Hartnett, a Hall of Famer, a frequent participant in historic baseball events and one of the greatest catchers of the early 20th Century. He played for the Chicago Cubs (1922-40) and New York Giants (1941). Charles Leo Hartnett was born in Woonsocket, R.I., on December 20, 1900, but he grew up in … Continue reading Grave Story: Gabby Hartnett (1900-1972)
Here lies Joe Delahanty, who had a long and pretty successful minor- and independent-league career before playing for a short time in the major leagues. Delahanty, an outfielder and second baseman, played for the St. Louis Cardinals from 1907-1909. Joe Delahanty's grave in Calvary Cemetery, Cleveland. Joseph Nicholas Delahanty was born on October 18, 1875 … Continue reading Grave Story: Joe Delahanty (1875-1936)
Here lies Lou Johnson, one of two Lou Johnsons to have played Major League Baseball. Except his first name really wasn’t Lou, and his last name really wasn’t Johnson. Whoever he was, he was a left-handed pitcher in the 19th Century who briefly appeared in the majors and has a unique claim to baseball fame. … Continue reading Grave Story: Lou Johnson (1869-1941)
Here lies Bill Wambsganss, a deadball era infielder who is best known for performing an unassisted triple play during the 1920 World Series – a feat that has never been duplicated in the postseason. Wambsganss played for the Cleveland Naps/Indians (1914-1923), Boston Red Sox (1924-25) and Philadelphia Athletics (1926). Bill Wambsganss was born on March … Continue reading Grave Story: Bill Wambsganss (1894-1985)
