RIP to Rich Hacker, who played one season in the major leagues before embarking on a substantial career as a minor-league manager and major-league coach. He died on April 22 at the age of 72. He had been diagnosed with leukemia 15 months ago and died in Fairview Heights, Ill. Hacker played for the 1971 … Continue reading Obituary: Rich Hacker (1947-2020)
RIP to Steve Dalkowski, a flame-throwing pitcher who is one of the more famous players to never actually play in the major leagues. He died on April 19 in New Britain, Conn., at the age of 80 from COVID-19. Reported to be baseball's fastest pitcher, Dalkowski pitched in the minor leagues from 1957-65. The legend … Continue reading Obituary: Steve Dalkowski (1939-2020)
RIP to Dan Walters, who left a career as a major-league catcher and became an officer in the San Diego Police Department. He died on April 23, 2020, at the age of 53, of complications from a gunshot wound suffered in 2003. He was shot in the line of duty and was left paralyzed as … Continue reading Obituary: Dan Walters (1966-2020)
RIP to Bob Oliver, a slugging corner infielder/outfielder who played for five teams in the 1960s and '70s. His son, Darren Oliver, also had a 20-year career as a pitcher and works in the Texas Rangers front office. Bob Oliver died on April 19 in Rio Linda, Calif. He was 77 years old. Oliver played … Continue reading Obituary: Bob Oliver (1943-2020)
RIP to Dick Hyde, a relief pitcher whose best season earned him the AL Sophomore of the Year Award. He died on April 15, 2020 at Bickford of Champaign Memory Care in Champaign, Ill. He was 91 years old. Hyde pitched for the Washington Senators (1955, 1957-60) and Baltimore Orioles (1961). Dick Hyde was born … Continue reading Obituary: Dick Hyde (1928-2020)
RIP to Bobby Winkles, a big-league coach and manager as well as a tremendously successful college baseball coach. He died on April 17 at the age of 90. After a career as an infielder in the minor leagues, Winkles served as the manager of the California Angels (1973-74) and Oakland Athletics (1977-78). "He was a … Continue reading Obituary: Bobby Winkles (1930-2020)
Here lies Steve Sundra, who had a pretty up-and-down career as a pitcher — except for the season when he was almost perfect. Sundra pitched for the New York Yankees (1936, 1938-40), Washington Senators (1941-42) and St. Louis Browns (1942-44, 1946). Steve Sundra was born in Luxor, Pa., on March 27, 1910. He had a … Continue reading Grave Story: Steve Sundra (1910-1952)
RIP to Damaso Garcia, an All-Star second baseman who played for 11 seasons in the major leagues. He died on April 15 at the age of 63 in the Dominican Republic. No cause of death was given; however, Garcia had a malignant brain tumor removed 29 years ago, and the surgery had affected his mobility … Continue reading Obituary: Damaso Garcia (1957-2020)
RIP to Hank Steinbrenner, the co-chairman of the New York Yankees and eldest son of The Boss, George Steinbrenner. He died on April 14 in his home in Clearwater, Fla., from what his family called a long illness. He was 63 years old. While he was at one point considered the heir apparent to his … Continue reading Obituary: Hank Steinbrenner (1957-2020)
RIP to Jim Frey, a manager who led two teams into the postseason and was named Manager of the Year for breaking the Cubs' long postseason dry spell. He died at his home in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla., on April 12. He was 88 years old. Frey managed the Kansas City Royals (1980-81) and Chicago … Continue reading Obituary: Jim Frey (1931-2020)
