R.I.P. to Loek van Mil, a Dutch pitcher who played in the minor leagues for the Twins, Angels, Reds and Indians. It has been reported that he died on July 28 from an accident at the age of 34. No other details have been made available at the moment. In addition to pitching in the … Continue reading Obituary: Loek van Mil (1984-2019)
Here lies Bill Andrus, who had two brief stays in the major leagues for two different teams, six years apart. He never managed to get a hit in either go-around. Andrus played for the Washington Senators (1931) and Philadelphia Phillies (1937). Bill Andrus was born in Beaumont, Texas, on July 25, 1907. His father, Claude … Continue reading Grave Story: Bill Andrus (1907-1982)
Here lies Elmer Foster, an outfielder for three teams in the 1880s & ‘90s. He was, in the words of the great Chicago newspaperman Hugh Fullerton, the greatest disturber and enemy of peacefulness that the game had ever seen. Foster played for the New York Metropolitans of the American Association (1886), New York Giants (1888-1889) … Continue reading Grave Story: Elmer Foster (1861-1946)
Apologies for the infrequent posting this week. I've had work deadlines and work travel all week, and it's kept me from writing much. However, my work trip did reveal this little nugget of baseball history. I'm in Mobile, Ala., and one of the top sights in the city is the USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park. … Continue reading Bob Feller slept here (and maybe still does?)
R.I.P. to Jean Buckley, an outfielder in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League (AAGPBL) for three seasons. She died on July 7 at the age of 87. She played for the Kenosha Comets (1950-51) and Rockford Peaches (1952). Jean "Buckets" Buckley was born in Dorchester, Mass., on December 4, 1931. She grew up in Boston … Continue reading Obituary: Jean Buckley (1931-2019)
R.I.P. to Don Mossi, an All-Star pitcher equally at home in the bullpen or the starting rotation. It has been reported that he died on July 19 at the age of 90. Mossi pitched for the Cleveland Indians (1954-58), Detroit Tigers (1959-63), Chicago White Sox (1964) and Kansas City Athletics (1965). A post on his … Continue reading Obituary: Don Mossi (1929-2019)
R.I.P. to Elijah "Pumpsie" Green, a versatile infielder who has the distinction of being the first African-American ballplayer for the Boston Red Sox, the last MLB team to integrate. He died on July 17 at the age of 85. Green played for the Red Sox (1959-62) and New York Mets (1963). "Pumpsie Green occupies a … Continue reading Obituary: “Pumpsie” Green (1933-2019)
Here lies Leonidas Lee, who played 4 games for the 1877 St. Louis Brown Stockings. He never appeared in any other professional baseball league, so you might think that there’s not much to his story. Actually, one of the reasons that I enjoy the baseball research of this particular hobby is tracking down interesting people … Continue reading Grave Story: Leonidas Lee (1860-1912)
R.I.P. to Ernie Broglio, a 20-game winner and, yes, part of one of baseball's most infamous trades. His daughter announced that he died on July 16 at the age of 83. He had been battling cancer. Broglio pitched for the St. Louis Cardinals (1959-1964) and Chicago Cubs (1964-66). Ernie Broglio, left, and Stan Musial celebrate … Continue reading Obituary: Ernie Broglio (1935-2019)
R.I.P. to Joe Grzenda, the last pitcher ever for the Washington Senators and an early short relief specialist. He died on July 12 at his home in Covington, Pa., at the age of 82. Grzenda played for the Detroit Tigers (1961), Kansas City Athletics (1964, 1966), New York Mets (1967), Minnesota Twins (1969), Washington Senators … Continue reading Obituary: Joe Grzenda (1937-2019)
