Here lies Lou Johnson, one of two Lou Johnsons to have played Major League Baseball. Except his first name really wasn’t Lou, and his last name really wasn’t Johnson. Whoever he was, he was a left-handed pitcher in the 19th Century who briefly appeared in the majors and has a unique claim to baseball fame. … Continue reading Grave Story: Lou Johnson (1869-1941)
RIP to Don Pavletich, a backup catcher and first baseman who played in the major leagues for parts of 12 seasons. He died unexpectedly on March 5 at the age of 81. Pavletich played for the Cincinnati Reds (1957, 1959, 1962-68), Chicago White Sox (1969) and Boston Red Sox (1971-71). Don Pavletich was born in … Continue reading Obituary: Don Pavletich (1938-2020)
Here lies Bill Wambsganss, a deadball era infielder who is best known for performing an unassisted triple play during the 1920 World Series – a feat that has never been duplicated in the postseason. Wambsganss played for the Cleveland Naps/Indians (1914-1923), Boston Red Sox (1924-25) and Philadelphia Athletics (1926). Bill Wambsganss was born on March … Continue reading Grave Story: Bill Wambsganss (1894-1985)
Here lies Ren Deagle, who was usually the second-best pitcher on his team during his short career. That wouldn’t have been so bad except he pitched in the 1880s, when the one-man pitching rotation was still in use. Deagle pitched in the old American Association for two years, playing for the Cincinnati Red Stockings (1883-84) … Continue reading Grave Story: Ren Deagle (1858-1936)
RIP to Johnny Antonelli, an All-Star pitcher and World Series who bridged the era between the New York and San Francisco Giants. He died on Feb. 28 at the age of 89. Antonelli pitched for the Boston/Milwaukee Braves (1948-50, 1953, 1961), New York/San Francisco Giants (1954-1960) and Cleveland Indians (1961). News of his passing hit … Continue reading Obituary: Johnny Antonelli (1930-2020)
RIP to George Yankowski, who was one of baseball's oldest players and one of its few surviving veterans of World War II. He died on February 25 at the age of 97 in The Villages, Sumpter County, Fla. Author Doug Gladstone, who initially reported his passing, has been active in speaking out for the handful … Continue reading Obituary: George Yankowski (1922-2020)
Here lies Jim Delahanty, a well-traveled infielder whose penchant for troublemaking may have gotten him banned from baseball – unofficially, of course. He played for the Chicago Orphans (1901), New York Giants (1902), Boston Beaneaters (1904-05), Cincinnati Reds (1906), St. Louis Browns (1907), Washington Senators (1907-1909), and Detroit Tigers (1909-1912), as well as the Brooklyn … Continue reading Grave Story: Jim Delahanty (1879-1953)
RIP to Ramon Conde, whose MLB career was limited to 16 hitless at-bats for the 1962 Chicago White Sox. He died from a heart attack on February 23 while visiting Florida to watch preseason baseball. He was 85 years old. Conde may have played just one season in the major leagues, but he had an … Continue reading Obituary: Ramón Conde (1934-2020)
The body was found in March, 1951, not far from where he worked for several years. He was hit by a car near Gooch Mill, about 400 yards from Sherman Field, judging by the trail of blood. He made it to the outer reaches of the field before he collapsed, and that was where his … Continue reading Requiem for Slumpy
RIP to Dick Scott, who had two cups of coffee in the major leagues in the 1960s. The Georgia resident died on February 10 at the age of 86. Scott was a left-handed pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers (1963) and Chicago Cubs (1964). Richard Scott was born on March 15, 1933, in Portsmouth, N.H. … Continue reading Obituary: Dick Scott (1933-2020)
