Here lies Alvin Tate, an Army vet who appeared in two games for the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1946. The “Big Bone” nickname may have something to do with the fact that Tate was listed at 6’0” and 180 pounds in his playing days. As for the other nickname, I can’t find a reference to its … Continue reading Grave Story: Alvin Tate (1918-1993)
Here lies Ed Heusser, a pitcher for the famed Gas House Gang who also had a once-in-a-lifetime brilliant season with the Reds. He played for the St. Louis Cardinals (1935-36), Philadelphia Phillies (1938, 1948), Philadelphia Athletics (1940) and Cincinnati Reds (1943-46). Edward Burlton Heusser was born on May, 1909 in Murray, Utah. His father died … Continue reading Grave Story: Ed Heusser (1909-1956)
Here lies Jimmy Adair, who spent almost 50 years in professional baseball as a player, coach and scout. His major-league playing career was limited to 18 games spent with the Chicago Cubs in 1931. James Audrey Adair was born in Waxahachie, Texas on January 25, 1907. Yes, Audrey. Hecklers had a field day with that … Continue reading Grave Story: Jimmy Adair (1907-1982)
Here lies Warren Fitzgerald, a bit of a mystery man who pitched for the Louisville Colonels in their last season in the American Association and their first in the National League (1891-2). The grave is unmarked but is roughly in the location of the baseball in the picture (in front of the tree in the … Continue reading Grave Story: Warren Fitzgerald (1868-1930)
Here lies Larry Miller, a Utah businessman who became a sports mogul as well. While he’s primarily known in the sporting world as the owner of the NBA’s Utah Jazz, he also acquired Salt Lake City’s minor-league baseball team and renamed them the Bees, a nod to the city’s long baseball tradition. Utah may not … Continue reading Grave Story: Larry Miller (1944-2009)
Here lies Paul Strand, who was a hero as a pitcher for one team and a flop as an outfielder for another team. He played for the Boston Braves (1913-1915) and Philadelphia Athletics (1924). “Silent” Paul was born on December 19, 1893 in Carbonado, Wash., though newspapers of the era put his hometown a few … Continue reading Grave Story: Paul Strand (1893-1974)
Here lies Roy Castleton, the first native Utahan to ever play Major League Baseball. He was a brilliant pitcher, when he wasn’t fending off near-fatal illnesses. The lefty played for the New York Highlanders (Yankees) (1907) and Cincinnati Reds (1909-1910). Castleton’s family were early Utah pioneers, according to his SABR biography. His parents had emigrated … Continue reading Grave Story: Roy Castleton (1885-1967)
Here lies Alva Lee “Bobo” Holloman, who is the only pitcher in baseball’s Modern Era to throw a no-hitter in his first major-league start. He also has one of the shortest careers of any pitcher who threw a no-no. Holloman pitched 22 games for the St. Louis Browns in 1953. The fun thing about no-hitters … Continue reading Grave Story: Bobo Holloman (1923-1987)
Here lies Fred Sanford, who was an early victim of the New York sports media and the pressure placed on Yankees players. Sanford pitched for the St. Louis Browns (1943, 1947-48, 1951), New York Yankees (1949-51) and Washington Senators (1951). John Frederick Sanford was born in Garfield, Utah on August 9, 1919. Described in an … Continue reading Grave Story: Fred Sanford (1919-2011)
Here lies Todd Frohwirth, a relief pitcher whose submarine-style delivery made him one of the more recognizable relievers in baseball in the late 1980s and early ‘90s. He pitched for the Philadelphia Phillies (1987-90), Baltimore Orioles (1991-93), Boston Red Sox (1994) and California Angels (1996). Frohwirth was born in Milwaukee, Wis. on September 28, 1962. … Continue reading Grave Story: Todd Frohwirth (1962-2017)
