LOST--ONE BASEBALL PLAYER: PITCHER by inclination; apparently sound in wind and limb, and answers to the name of "Rube." Address all communications to Connie Mack, manager Philadelphia American League ball club, present keeper.The Inter Ocean (Chicago, Ill.), August 10, 1902. Here lies Rube Waddell, one of the most dominating pitchers in the game — when … Continue reading Grave Story: Rube Waddell (1876-1914)
Here lies Fred “Dad” Clark, a first baseman who played in 12 games for the 1902 Chicago Orphans (aka the Colts aka the Cubs). You’re going to have to trust me that this is the right grave marker, even though most of it is covered up by grass and weeds. I tried to remove as … Continue reading Grave Story: Fred “Dad” Clark (1873-1956)
RIP to Joe Presko, a pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals (1951-54) and Detroit Tigers (1957-58). He died on February 5 in his hometown of Kansas City, Mo. He was 90 years old. Joseph Edward Presko was born in Kansas City on October 7, 1928. He graduated from North Kansas City High School in 1946 … Continue reading Obituary: Joe Presko (1928-2019)
RIP to Frank Robinson, a member of the National Baseball Hall of Fame, the only player to win the MVP Award in both the American and National Leagues, the first African-American manager in baseball history, and one of its most underrated superstars. He died on February 7, 2019 at the age of 83. It was … Continue reading Obituary: Frank Robinson (1935-2019)
So yesterday I wrote a bit about fans who have died at the ballpark over the years. Last night, I was doing a little research into our next grave story and came across this news brief. I thought I'd share it as a reminder that, yes, baseball is dangerous for the people who play it, … Continue reading Baseball will kill ya
On August 25, 2018, Erwin and Linda Goldbloom went to Dodgers Stadium to see their Dodgers take on the San Diego Padres. They were there to celebrate Linda's recent 79th birthday and their 59th wedding anniversary. In the top of the 9th, a Padres batter -- there's confusion over just which batter, but it was … Continue reading A brief interlude on death at the ballpark
RIP to Bob Friend, an ace pitcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates who threw more than 200 innings a season for an 11-year stretch with the team. He died in his sleep on February 3 at the age of 88, the Pirates announced. Friend pitched for the Pirates from 1951-65, as well as the New York … Continue reading Obituary: Bob Friend (1930-2019)
Here lies Jay Van Noy, one of the greatest athletes to ever come out of the state of Utah. He had a chance to become one of the early two-sport players but passed up the NFL to focus on baseball. His career with the 1951 St. Louis Cardinals as an outfielder/pinch-hitter was brief, but he … Continue reading Grave Story: Jay Van Noy (1928-2010)
This is a really poor copy of the Detroit Free Press, dated September 16, 1913, but I have transcribed it as best as I can, because this needs to be preserved for posterity. Some of the language is un-PC, but it was 1913. Source: Detroit Free Press, September 16, 1913. “So insistent have the newspapers … Continue reading Baseball history: Chief Meyers wants you to stop killing his brother
Here lies Bill Akers, an infielder who became the first major-league baseball player to join the U.S. Army Air Corps. He had a 20-year career in the military, taking him through World War II and Korea. He played for the Detroit Tigers (1929-31) and Boston Braves (1932). William G. Akers was born in Chattanooga, Tenn. … Continue reading Grave Story: Bill Akers (1904-1962)
