Here lies Eric Show, the ace of the Padres pitching staff for several years. He was a number of other things in his relatively short life -- a jazz musician, philosopher, conservative iconoclast, participant in one of baseball's most memorable moments, and one of the game's biggest enigmas. Show played for the San Diego Padres … Continue reading Grave Story: Eric Show (1956-1994)
It’s time to talk about one of the greatest hitters in baseball history. And while much of Shoeless Joe Jackson’s life is still the subject of debate and misconception, I think baseball fans can at least agree on that much. Jackson played for the Philadelphia Athletics (1908-09), Cleveland Naps/Indians (1910-15) and Chicago White Sox (1915-20). … Continue reading Grave Story: Shoeless Joe Jackson (1887-1951)
Georgia native Jerry McQuaig rose to prominence as a star football player for Mercer University. The sport where he made his professional debut was baseball, however. McQuaig debuted with the Philadelphia Athletics in 1934 before a brief career in the minor leagues and a much longer career in the world of amateur Georgia ball. Gerald … Continue reading Grave Story: Jerry McQuaig (1912-2001)
Here lies Henry Diddlebock, a long-time Philadelphia sportswriter and minor-league baseball executive. He also served as a manager for the St. Louis Browns, though the experiment of using a sportswriter as a manager lasted for all of 17 games in 1896. Henry Harrison Diddlebock was born in Philadelphia on June 27, 1854. His parents, Henry … Continue reading Grave Story: Henry Diddlebock (1854-1900)
Here lies Ralph Sharman, who briefly reached the major leagues with the Philadelphia Athletics in 1917. About eight months after making his major-league debut, he died in a training accident while in the Army. Ralph Edward Sharman was born in Cleveland on April 11, 1895. His parents, John and Hannah Sharman, had emigrated from England … Continue reading Grave Story: Ralph Sharman (1895-1918)
Here lies Bug Holliday, who had a short but impactful career as one of the hardest hitters of the late 19th Century. He was fondly remembered for his animated personality as much as his batting prowess. Holliday played for the Cincinnati Red Stockings of the American Association (1889) and the Cincinnati Reds of the National … Continue reading Grave Story: Bug Holliday (1867-1910)
When many 19th-Century ballplayers retired, they “took to the white apron” – in other words, they became bartenders. Others became police officers or fireman, but as far as I can tell, only one became an in-demand lithographer. That would be “Long” John Reilly, one of the premier sluggers of his era. Reilly played for the … Continue reading Grave Story: John Reilly (1858-1937)
Here lies Charlie Gould, the first baseman on the renowned 1869 Cincinnati Red Stockings team and the first-ever manager of the Cincinnati Reds. Gould played for the Boston Red Stockings (1871-72), Baltimore Canaries (1874) and New Haven Elm Citys (1875), all of the National Association, and the Cincinnati Reds (1876-77). He also managed in New … Continue reading Grave Story: Charlie Gould (1847-1917)
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)
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)
RIP Baseball 