RIP to pitcher Joe Horlen, a standout college pitcher before embarking on a 12-year, All-Star career in the majors. His alma mater, Oklahoma State University, reported that he died on April 11 in San Antonio, Texas, at the age of 84. He had suffered from Alzheimer's Disease for several years. Horlen played for the Chicago … Continue reading Obituary: Joe Horlen (1937-2022)
RIP to John Ellis, a catcher-first baseman in the majors for 13 seasons. He also became the founder of the Connecticut Cancer Foundation, which supports cancer patients and their families financially. He died on April 5 at the age of 73, after a second bout with cancer. Ellis played for the New York Yankees (1969-72), … Continue reading Obituary: John Ellis (1948-2022)
RIP to Tommy Davis, an All-Star and two-time National League batting champion. He died at his home in Phoenix on April 3 at the age of 83. Davis played for the Los Angeles Dodgers (1959-66), New York Mets (1967), Chicago White Sox (1968), Seattle Pilots (1969), Houston Astros (1969-70), Oakland Athletics (1970, 1971), Chicago Cubs … Continue reading Obituary: Tommy Davis (1939-2022)
Here lies Cliff Dapper, who had a sensational career with the Dodgers — but that career lasted just 8 games. The long-time minor-league catcher and manager was also once traded for a future Hall of Famer, but you’d probably never guess which Hall of Famer unless you already know the story. Dapper’s brief career came … Continue reading Grave Story: Cliff Dapper (1920-2011)
RIP to Shirley Burkovich, who took a career in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League and turned it into a lifelong passion to let girls and women play baseball. She died on March 31 at the age of 89. Burkovich played for the Muskegon Lassies (1949), Chicago Colleens (1950), Springfield Sallies (1950) and Rockford Peaches … Continue reading Obituary: Shirley Burkovich (1933-2022)
Here lies Jack Brewer, who reached the majors after missing three seasons due to military service during World War II. Brewer pitched for the New York Giants between 1944 and 1946. Jack Herndon Brewer was born in Los Angeles on April 21, 1918. He was part of a Polytechnic High School baseball team that once … Continue reading Grave Story: Jack Brewer (1918-2003)
RIP to Rocky Craig, an outfielder with a six-year career in the minor leagues in the 1970s with the Royals, Astros and Padres organizations. He died on March 14 at the age of 72, after a recurrence of lung cancer. A friend and former teammate let me know of his passing and requested a remembrance … Continue reading Obituary: Rocky Craig (1950-2022)
RIP to Pete Ward, who started his career as an Orioles prospect before becoming a rookie sensation with the White Sox. He died on March 16 from Alzheimer's Disease at the age of 84. Ward played for the Baltimore Orioles (1962), Chicago White Sox (1963-1969) and New York Yankees (1970). Peter Thomas Ward was born … Continue reading Obituary: Pete Ward (1937-2022)
RIP to Ralph Terry, a right-handed pitcher for the Yankees during one of their greatest eras, and the MVP of the 1962 World Series. He died on March 16 at a long-term care facility in Larned, Kan., where he lived for many years following his careers as a pitcher and a professional golfer. He was … Continue reading Obituary: Ralph Terry (1936-2022)
Bert Shepard only pitched in one major league game. The fact that he ever made it that far – the fact that he lived to make it to a pitcher’s mound – is one of baseball’s most inspiring stories. Shepard played his one game with the Washington Senators in 1945, after being shot down in … Continue reading Grave Story: Bert Shepard (1920-2008)
RIP Baseball 