RIP to Ed Sprague Sr., a relief pitcher who was a part of the original Oakland A's teams. The A's reported on January 10 that he had died at the age of 74. Sprague pitched for the Athletics (1968-69), Cincinnati Reds (1971-73), St. Louis Cardinals (1973) and Milwaukee Brewers (1973-76). His son, Ed Jr., was … Continue reading Obituary: Ed Sprague Sr. (1945-2020)
RIP to Hal Smith, a catcher for 10 seasons who hit one of the most dramatic home runs in Pirates history -- which set up THE most dramatic home run in Pirates history. His nephew, former major-leaguer Tim Flannery, reported that Smith died January 9 at the age of 89. Smith played for the Baltimore … Continue reading Obituary: Hal Smith (1930-2020)
Here lies Patsy Tebeau, one of the most vicious men to ever play the game of baseball. He was also a brilliant tactician, but if there was ever a notion that 19th-Century baseball was a game of gentlemen, Tebeau spiked that notion, spat on it and sent it running home. He played for the Chicago … Continue reading Grave Story: Patsy Tebeau (1864-1918)
RIP to Neal Watlington, who was one of the game's oldest players and one of a handful of surviving members of the Philadelphia Athletics. He died on December 29, 2019, just four days after his 97th birthday. Watlington, a catcher, played for the A's in 1953. While he seems that he didn't like to talk … Continue reading Obituary: Neal Watlington (1922-2019)
RIP to Andy Hassler, a left-handed pitcher who played for six different teams across 14 seasons in the majors. He died on December 25, 2019, at his home in Wickenburg, Arizona, at the age of 68. Hassler played for the California Angels (1971, 1973-76, 1980-83), Kansas City Royals (1976-78), Boston Red Sox (1978-79), New York … Continue reading Obituary: Andy Hassler (1951-2019)
RIP to Don Larsen, an above-average pitcher who, for one magical game, was absolutely perfect. He died on January 1, after entering into hospice care for esophageal cancer. He was 90 years old. Larsen pitched for the St. Louis Browns (1963), Baltimore Orioles (1954, 1965), New York Yankees (1955-59), Kansas City Athletics (1960-61), Chicago White … Continue reading Obituary: Don Larsen (1929-2020)
RIP to Dick Bokelmann, a reliever for the St. Louis Cardinals for three seasons in the 1950s. He died peacefully on December 27, 2019 at the age of 93. Bokelmann played professional ball from 1947 through 1954 and played for the Cardinals from 1951-53. Richard Bokelmann was born on October 26, 1926 in Arlington Heights, … Continue reading Obituary: Dick Bokelmann (1926-2019)
Here lies Walt Kinzie, the grandson of one of Chicago’s early pioneers. He also was an infielder for the Detroit Wolverines (1882), Chicago White Stockings (1884) and St. Louis Browns (1884). Before we talk about Walt, let’s dig into a bit of Chicago history, because the name “Kinzie” is as old as the city itself. … Continue reading Grave Story: Walter Kinzie (1857-1909)
RIP to Norm Angelini, who was a left-handed reliever in the majors for two years. He died on December 21, 2019 in Aurora, Colo., after battling cancer. He was 72 years old. Angelini played for the Kansas City Royals (1972-73). https://twitter.com/mangelini23/status/1208852402759028736?s=20 Norman Angelini was born in San Francisco on September 24, 1947. The southpaw started … Continue reading Obituary: Norm Angelini (1947-2019)
Here lies Frank Delahanty, the last surviving brother of the famed baseball-playing Delahantys. He had a brief career in the American League and Federal League and a rough post-baseball career that included a prison stint. Delahanty played for the New York Highlanders (1905-06, 1908), Cleveland Naps (1907), and the Buffalo Buffeds (1914) and Pittsburgh Rebels … Continue reading Grave Story: Frank Delahanty (1882-1966)
