I've been trying to figure out how to write about the tragedy that took place in West Virginia yesterday that deeply affected the baseball world. In case you'd missed it, the family of 24-year-old Rays pitching prospect Blake Bivens, including his wife Emily, 1-year-old son Cullen and mother-in-law, were murdered yesterday. The suspect, Emily's brother, … Continue reading The Bivens family could use your help
RIP to Tom Jordan, a former catcher who at the time of his death was the oldest living major-league ballplayer. He died on August 27 of a heart attack, according to his obituary on Forbes, at the age of 99. He was 10 days away from his 100th birthday. Jordan played for the Chicago White … Continue reading Obituary: Tom Jordan (1919-2019)
R.I.P. to Vince Naimoli, a businessman who helped bring baseball to Tampa as the first owner of the expansion Devil Rays. He died on August 25 at the age of 81. He was diagnosed in 2014 with a brain disorder called progressive supranuclear palsy, according to the Tampa Bay Times. He had spent the last … Continue reading Obituary: Vince Naimoli (1937-2019)
Here lies Harold “Chief” Wonson, who had a brief career as a pitcher in the minor leagues. He would go on to a long teaching career, but he still found a way to make it to the majors – as a batting practice pitcher. Harold Wonson was born on August 3, 1918, in Washington, D.C. … Continue reading Grave Story: Harold “Chief” Wonson (1918-1998)
R.I.P. to Truman "Tex" Clevenger, who had an eight-year career in the major leagues as a relief pitcher. He died on August 24 from Alzheimer's disease at the age of 87. Clevenger played for the Boston Red Sox (1954), Washington Senators (1956-60), Los Angeles Angels (1961) and New York Yankees (1961-62). Truman Clevenger was born … Continue reading Obituary: Tex Clevenger (1932-2019)
Here lies Mike Kelley, one of the most important figures in the history of Twin Cities minor-league baseball. He was one of the last of the independent minor-league team owners. He also was a first baseman for the Louisville Colonels in 1899, the last year Louisville had a major-league team. Michael Joseph Kelley was born … Continue reading Grave Story: Mike Kelley (1875-1955)
R.I.P. to Al Jackson an original member of the New York Mets and the best pitcher on a string of awful Mets teams. He died on August 19 at the age of 83. Jackson pitched for the Pittsburgh Pirates (1959, 1961), Mets (1962-65, 1968-69), St. Louis Cardinals (1966-67) and Cincinnati Reds (1969). https://twitter.com/Mets/status/1163519804034211840?s=20 The Mets … Continue reading Obituary: Al Jackson (1935-2019)
Here lies Fred Cone, an outfielder who played in the first season of the first ever professional baseball league. He was a pioneer in another sense as well; he was one of the earliest players to complain that baseball just wasn’t as good as it was back in his day. Cone played for the Boston … Continue reading Grave Story: Fred Cone (1848-1909)
R.I.P. to Bill Mills, a catcher who played in 5 games for the 1944 Philadelphia Athletics. He died at a hospice facility in Gainesville, Fla., on August 9. He was 99 years old, and at the time of his passing, he was the second-oldest living major-league ballplayer. There are now 10 surviving Philadelphia Athletics ballplayers … Continue reading Obituary: Bill Mills (1919-2019)
Here lies Paul Giel, and if you’re a University of Minnesota football fan, you may know this name. He was a Heisman Trophy runner-up, a commentator for the Minnesota Vikings and an athletic director of the Gophers for more than 15 years. However, we’re going to talk about his career as a major-league pitcher and … Continue reading Grave Story: Paul Giel (1932-2002)
