RIP to Solly Drake, who with his brother Sammy Drake (1934-2010) made up the first African-American siblings in Major League Baseball history. He died on August 18 at the age of 90. Drake, who was for many years the pastor at Greater Ebenezer Missionary Baptist Church in Los Angeles, played for the Chicago Cubs (1956), … Continue reading Obituary: Solly Drake (1930-2021)
RIP to Bill Freehan, one of the greatest catchers of the 1960s and early '70s and a multi-time All-Star and Gold Glove winner. He died in Detroit on August 19 after a long battle with Alzheimer's disease. He was 79 years old. Freehan played for the Detroit Tigers from 1961 and 1963-76. The Detroit Tigers … Continue reading Obituary: Bill Freehan (1941-2021)
RIP to Johnny Groth, a good-hitting outfielder who played for 15 years in the majors following the end of World War II. He died on August 7 in his oceanfront condominium in Palm Beach, Fla. He was 95 years old and is survived by his wife of 72 years, Betty, and 11 children. Groth played … Continue reading Obituary: Johnny Groth (1926-2021)
RIP to Vito Valentinetti, who pitched for five different major-league teams in the 1950s. He died in his home on August 5, with his wife, Mary Ann, and several of his children with him. He was 92 years old. Valentinetti played for the Chicago White Sox (1954), Chicago Cubs (1956-57), Cleveland Indians (1957), Detroit Tigers … Continue reading Obituary: Vito Valentinetti (1928-2021)
RIP to Helen Nicol “Nickie” Fox, the winningest pitcher in the history of the All American Girls Professional Baseball League. A Scottsdale, Arizona, resident, she died on July 25 at the age of 101. Fox, who also holds the AAGPBL record for career strikeouts, played for the Kenosha Comets (1943-47) and Rockford Peaches (1947-52). Helen … Continue reading Obituary: Helen Nicol Fox (1920-2021)
RIP to Astros legend J.R. Richard, one of the most intimidating (and misunderstood) pitchers of his era. He died in a Houston hospital on August 4 at the age of 71. It has been reported, including by former teammates, that his death was due to complications from COVID-19. Richard played for the Houston Astros from … Continue reading Obituary: J.R. Richard (1950-2021)
RIP to Rafael Carmona, who had a 4-year career as a reliever with the Seattle Mariners before injuries brought an end to his career. It was reported by the Puerto Rican National Baseball Team that he has passed away at the age of 48. An exact date or cause of death was not immediately available; … Continue reading Obituary: Rafael Carmona (1972-2021)
RIP to Tim Talton, who was a catcher for two seasons in the majors in the 1960s. He died on July 22 at Kitty Askins Hospice Center in Goldsboro, N.C. He was 82 years old. Talton played for the Kansas City Athletics in 1966 and '67. Marion Lee Talton was born in Pikeville, N.C., on … Continue reading Obituary: Tim Talton (1939-2021)
RIP to pitcher Dick Tidrow, a two-time World Series champ, one of the game's first great set-up relievers, and a long-time baseball executive. He died unexpectedly in Lee's Summit, Mo., on July 10 at the age of 74. His death was announced by the San Francisco Giants, where he spent nearly 30 years working in … Continue reading Obituary: Dick Tidrow (1947-2021)
RIP to Ted Wieand, who pitched for parts of two seasons with the Reds in the 1950s. He died on July 7 at the Lehigh Valley Hospital, Cedar Crest, located in Allentown, Pa. He was 88 years old. Wieand played for the Cincinnati Reds in 1958 and 1960 as part of an 11-year pro baseball … Continue reading Obituary: Ted Wieand (1933-2021)
