RIP to Frankie De la Cruz, who pitched all over the world in a lengthy career, including with four teams in Major League Baseball He died on March 14 of a heart attack, just two days after his 37th birthday. De la Cruz was still an active pitcher at the time of his passing and … Continue reading Obituary: Frankie de la Cruz (1984-2021)
RIP to Jim Snyder, who spent more than six decades in baseball, from the field as a second baseman to the dugout as a manager to the front office as a player development director. He died on March 9 in Lutz, Fla., at the age of 88. He was living nearby in Odessa at the … Continue reading Obituary: Jim Snyder (1932-2021)
RIP to Norm Sherry, a catcher who became a coach, manager and mentor to several Hall of Famers. He died on March 8 from natural causes at the age of 89. He had been living at a long-term care facility in San Juan Capistrano, Calif, according to the Los Angeles Times. Sherry played for the … Continue reading Obituary: Norm Sherry (1931-2021)
RIP to Al Naples, who was one of the last surviving members of the St. Louis Browns. He died on February 26 at the age of 94. No cause of death was given, but his SABR bio, written in 2019, noted that he had beaten leukemia in the 1990s and was battling it again as … Continue reading Obituary: Al Naples (1926-2021)
RIP to Rheal Cormier, a lefty pitcher in the majors for 16 years and a member of multiple Canadian national teams as well. He died on March 8, about a year after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. He was 53 years old. Cormier played for the St. Louis Cardinals (1991-94), Boston Red Sox (1995, 1999-2000), … Continue reading Obituary: Rheal Cormier (1967-2021)
Jim Keenan typifies the experience of the earliest professional baseball player. He played for five teams in three professional leagues for 11 seasons over a span of 17 years. Oh, and he played at seven different positions during that time, too. Major League Baseball is professional, regimented, orderly and specialized now, but that hides its … Continue reading Grave Story: Jim Keenan (1856-1926)
RIP to Joe Altobelli, World Series-winning manager and, briefly, a major-leaguer in the 1950s and '60s. He was also one of the most beloved baseball figures in Rochester, N.Y. The Rochester Red Wings, on behalf of his family, announced that Altobelli died on March 3 at the age of 88 from natural causes. As a … Continue reading Obituary: Joe Altobelli (1932-2021)
RIP to Willard Hunter, a left-handed reliever who was part of the original Mets team. He died on February 3 in Omaha, Neb., at the age of 85. Hunter played for the Los Angeles Dodgers (1962) and the New York Mets (1962, 1964). Willard Mitchell Hunter was born in Newark, N.J., on March 8, 1935. … Continue reading Obituary: Willard Hunter (1935-2021)
RIP to Wynn Hawkins, a right-handed pitcher who played in the American League for three seasons in the early 1960s. He died on February 11 at the age of 84 -- nine days away from his 85th birthday -- at his home in Canfield, Ohio. Hawkins played for the Cleveland Indians from 1960-62. Wynn Firth … Continue reading Obituary: Wynn Hawkins (1936-2021)
RIP to Stan Williams, an intimidating All-Star pitcher and a long-time pitching coach. He died on February 20 at his home in Laughlin, Nev., at the age of 84. According to his son, Stan Jr., he was hospitalized on Feb. 11 and was in hospice care for cardio-pulmonary illness. Williams played for the Los Angeles … Continue reading Obituary: Stan Williams (1936-2021)
