Here lies Charles Comiskey, one of the pioneers of baseball and a founder of the American League. Unfortunately, his legacy in the game has been tarnished, as his (inaccurate) portrayal as the miserly owner of the Chicago White Sox has been tied to the Black Sox scandal of the 1919 World Series. What is true … Continue reading Grave Story: Charles Comiskey (1859-1931)
Here lies Waite Hoyt, who was a rarity in baseball – a teenage phenom who actually lived up to his potential. Hoyt’s 21-year career included stops with the New York Giants (1918, 1932), Boston Red Sox (1919-20), New York Yankees (1921-30), Detroit Tigers (1930-31), Philadelphia Athletics (1931), Brooklyn Dodgers (1932, 1937-38) and Pittsburgh Pirates (1933-37). … Continue reading Grave Story: Waite Hoyt (1899-1984)
Here lies Ted Turner, who pitched one game for the Chicago Cubs in 1920. After that, his life was a wild series of robberies, housebreaking, prison escapes and the occasional murder. As far as I can tell, the story of his baseball and criminal careers has never been properly told. So let’s dig into the … Continue reading Grave Story: Theodore Turner (1892-1958)
Here lies Alfred Goshorn, a renowned Cincinnati businessman who also organized the 1876 Centennial exposition in Philadelphia. His claim to fame as far as baseball goes is that he was the first president of the Cincinnati Red Stockings, helping to give rise to professional baseball. Alfred Traber Goshorn was born in Cincinnati on July 15, … Continue reading Grave Story: Alfred Goshorn (1833-1902)
Here lies Gustave Gruner, who for a brief time was a baseball owner. How brief? About three days in 1899. Still, that’s enough to make Gruner a part of the St. Louis Cardinals ownership chain. Gustave Adolph Gruner was born on December 3, 1847 in Ittlingen in Baden-Württemberg, Germany. He and his family emigrated to … Continue reading Grave Story: Gustave Gruner (1847-1909)
Here lies Frank Bell, whose major league career lasted 10 games in 1885. After baseball, he doled out violence as a security guard until the violence finally caught up with him. Bell played for the Brooklyn Grays of the American Association. He also had a brother, Charlie Bell, who pitched for several teams in the … Continue reading Grave Story: Frank Bell (1862-1891)
Here lies Cliff Carroll, a speedy outfielder from the 19th Century. He was also the victim of one of the greatest wardrobe malfunctions in baseball history. Carroll played for the Providence Grays (1882-85), Washington Nationals (1886-87), Pittsburgh Alleghenys (1888), Chicago Colts (1890-91). St. Louis Browns (1892) and Boston Beaneaters (1893). Samuel Clifford Carroll was born … Continue reading Grave Story: Cliff Carroll (1859-1923)
Here lies Urban Shocker, a renowned spitball pitcher who was one of the top pitchers on the famed ’27 Yankees “Murderers Row” team. He did that while suffering from a heart ailment that would kill him less than a year later. Shocker pitched for the New York Yankees (1916-17, 1925-28) and St. Louis Browns (1918-24). … Continue reading Grave Story: Urban Shocker (1890-1928)
Here lies Guy Hecker, the only pitcher to ever win a batting title. He’s also one of two players to lead the league in both batting and ERA – Babe Ruth being the other. Hecker played for the Louisville Eclipse/Colonels of the American Association (1882-89) and was a player/manager for the Pittsburgh Allegheneys (1890). Guy … Continue reading Grave Story: Guy Hecker (1856-1938)
Here lies Don O'Riley, who pitched in the majors for two seasons. His playing career was cut short by a motorcycle accident, and his life, tragically, was cut short by gun violence. O’Riley played for the Kansas City Royals (1969-70). Donald Lee O’Riley was born on March 12, 1945 in Topeka, Kan. He went to … Continue reading Grave Story: Don O’Riley (1945-1997)
