(Editor’s note: I want to thank my Instagram friend Cadavra Scientist for sending me these pics. Follow their work at http://www.instagram.com/cadavrascientist.) Here lies Charlie Buffinton, one of the greatest pitchers of 19th Century baseball and, you could argue, one of the best pitchers not currently a member of the National Baseball Hall of Fame. Buffinton … Continue reading Grave Story: Charlie Buffinton (1861-1907)
Here lies Clayton Lambert, who had a pretty good season in the majors and one short, really not-good, strange season. His MLB career was delayed for several years by World War II. Lambert pitched for the Cincinnati Reds (1946-47). Clayton Lambert was born in Summit, Ill., on March 26, 1917. He went to Illinois College … Continue reading Grave Story: Clayton Lambert (1917-1981)
LOST--ONE BASEBALL PLAYER: PITCHER by inclination; apparently sound in wind and limb, and answers to the name of "Rube." Address all communications to Connie Mack, manager Philadelphia American League ball club, present keeper.The Inter Ocean (Chicago, Ill.), August 10, 1902. Here lies Rube Waddell, one of the most dominating pitchers in the game — when … Continue reading Grave Story: Rube Waddell (1876-1914)
Here lies Fred “Dad” Clark, a first baseman who played in 12 games for the 1902 Chicago Orphans (aka the Colts aka the Cubs). You’re going to have to trust me that this is the right grave marker, even though most of it is covered up by grass and weeds. I tried to remove as … Continue reading Grave Story: Fred “Dad” Clark (1873-1956)
Here lies Jay Van Noy, one of the greatest athletes to ever come out of the state of Utah. He had a chance to become one of the early two-sport players but passed up the NFL to focus on baseball. His career with the 1951 St. Louis Cardinals as an outfielder/pinch-hitter was brief, but he … Continue reading Grave Story: Jay Van Noy (1928-2010)
Here lies Bill Akers, an infielder who became the first major-league baseball player to join the U.S. Army Air Corps. He had a 20-year career in the military, taking him through World War II and Korea. He played for the Detroit Tigers (1929-31) and Boston Braves (1932). William G. Akers was born in Chattanooga, Tenn. … Continue reading Grave Story: Bill Akers (1904-1962)
Here lies Spencer Adams, an infielder who played for four different teams in his four-year career. Despite his short time in the majors, he managed to appear in two World Series, roomed with Lou Gehrig and was teammates with some of the most famous ballplayers of the era. Adams played for the Pittsburgh Pirates (1923), … Continue reading Grave Story: Spencer Adams (1898-1970)
Here lies John “Buck” O’Neil (approximately), a Negro Leagues legend, a baseball icon and a trail-blazer in the major leagues. Right up to his final days, he worked ceaselessly to preserve the memories of his fellow Negro Leaguers. He was a first baseman for the Memphis Red Sox (1937) and player (and later player-manager) for … Continue reading Grave Story: Buck O’Neil (1911-2006)
Here lies John Noriega, a pitcher who appeared briefly for the Cincinnati Reds in 1969 and 1970. He made it to the majors in spite of thefact that he had only one fully functional eye. His left eye was paralyzed since birth and could only focus straight ahead, but it didn’t affect his athletic prowess. … Continue reading Grave Story: John Noriega (1943-2001)
(This article originally appeared on the Hall of Very Good.) Here lies Charlie “The Swedish Wonder” Hallstrom, the first Sweden-born major-league baseball player. He pitched one game for the 1885 Providence Grays. In 1885, it was fairly common for teams to use a two-manpitching staff. It was also fairly common for pitchers to blow their … Continue reading Grave Story: Charlie Hallstrom (1863-1949)
