RIP to All-Star John Stearns, who was a long-time part of the Mets family as a player, scout, minor-league manager and coach. He died in Denver on September 15 at the age of 71, following a long battle with cancer. Less than three weeks before his death, he made a final public appearance at a … Continue reading Obituary: John Stearns (1951-2022)
RIP to John Gamble, who played in 13 games for the Tigers as a shortstop and pinch-runner in the early 1970s. He died on September 1 in Orovada, Nevada, at the age of 74. The lifelong outdoorsman suffered a cardiac event while hunting with his family. Gamble played for the Detroit Tigers in 1971 and … Continue reading Obituary: John Gamble (1948-2022)
RIP to Ray Rippelmeyer, whose 11-year pitching career included time spent with the Washington Senators in 1963. He also spent much of the 1970s as the pitching coach of the Philadelphia Phillies. Rippelmeyer died on September 9 in Waterloo, Ill. He was 89 years old. Raymond Roy Rippelmeyer was born in Valmeyer, Ill., on July … Continue reading Obituary: Ray Rippelmeyer (1933-2022)
RIP to Anthony Varvaro, a reliever who pitched for 6 seasons in the 2010s. He retired from baseball in 2016 in order to become a policeman with the New York Port Authority. Varvaro, 37, was killed on September 11 while driving to a memorial event in Lower Manhattan for the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. … Continue reading Obituary: Anthony Varvaro (1984-2022)
RIP to Ken Frailing, a left-handed pitcher who was part of one of the more infamous trades between the Cubs and White Sox. He died unexpectedly on August 25 at the age of 74 -- his death was announced by members of his family and members of the Sarasota (Fla.) Alliance Church where he was … Continue reading Obituary: Ken Frailing (1948-2022)
RIP to Mark Littell, a Missouri native who ended up as a closer for both of his state's teams before an elbow injury ended his career. He died on September 5 at the age of 69, from complications related to heart surgery. Littell, who was an author, coach and inventor after his playing career, played … Continue reading Obituary: Mark Littell (1953-2022)
RIP to Pete Burnside, who pitched for four different teams over 8 seasons in the 1950s and '60s. He died on August 26 at the age of 92, with his family by his side. He was married to his wife, Suzette, for 58 years, and they had three children -- Beth, Jim and John. Burnside … Continue reading Obituary: Pete Burnside (1930-2022)
RIP to Lee Thomas, who was an All-Star as a ballplayer and the architect of a pennant-winning team as a baseball executive. He died on August 31 at the age of 86 in his home in Chesterfield, Mo. He had been on hospice care following a long illness. Thomas played for the New York Yankees … Continue reading Obituary: Lee Thomas (1936-2022)
RIP to Bob Locker, a durable (and record-setting) relief pitcher who appeared in nearly 600 major-league games in the 1960s and '70s. He died on August 15 in Bozeman, Mont., at the age of 84. Locker played for the Chicago White Sox (1965-69), Seattle Pilots/Milwaukee Brewers (1969-70), Oakland A's (1970-72) and Chicago Cubs (1973, 1975). … Continue reading Obituary: Bob Locker (1938-2022)
RIP to Bill Haller, an American League umpire for 21 seasons and part of a unique moment among baseball siblings. He died on August 20 at the VA Medical Center in Marion, Ill., at the age of 87. Haller was an umpire from 1961-82 and served as a baseball official and scout for several years … Continue reading Obituary: Bill Haller (1935-2022)
RIP Baseball 