RIP to Joe Pepitone, an All-Star and Gold Glove winner for the Yankees, though his on-field accomplishments were frequently overshadowed by his larger-than-life persona and off-field actions. He died in Kansas City, Mo., on March 13. He was 82 years old. Pepitone played for the New York Yankees (1962-69), Houston Astros (1970), Chicago Cubs (1970-73) … Continue reading Obituary: Joe Pepitone (1940-2023)
RIP to Dave Nicholson, a powerful outfielder who played for 7 seasons in the majors in the 1960s. He hit 61 homers in his career, but one of them is still considered as one of the longest ever hit. Nicholson died on February 25 at Wabash Christian Village in Carmi, Ill. He was 83 years … Continue reading Obituary: Dave Nicholson (1939-2023)
RIP to Sandy Valdespino, a Cuban outfielder who played for 7 seasons in the major leagues. He died on February 26, a little over a month after his 84th birthday. He had been living at the Legacy Village assisted living facility in Moultrie, Ga. Valdespino played for the Minnesota Twins (1965-67), Atlanta Braves (1968), Houton … Continue reading Obituary: Sandy Valdespino (1939-2023)
RIP to Hall of Fame pitcher Gaylord Perry, who won more than 300 games with more than 3,500 strikeouts and won a Cy Young Award in each league. And yes, he is probably the most famous spitball pitcher who ever lived, though his repertoire went well beyond saliva. Perry died in his home in Gaffney, … Continue reading Obituary: Gaylord Perry (1938-2022)
Here lies Tommy Hanson, a power pitcher and a Rookie of the Year contender in 2009. He won 10+ games in four of his five big-league season before injuries and family tragedy curtailed his career. Hanson played for the Atlanta Braves (2009-2012) and Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (2013). Thomas J Hanson was born in … Continue reading Grave Story: Tommy Hanson (1986-2015)
Here lies Pete Van Wieren, aka “The Professor,” who was one-third of one of the most influential broadcast booths in baseball history. He, along with Ernie Johnson Sr. and Skip Caray, were the voices of the Atlanta Braves during their time on TBS. Between his work on television and radio, Van Wieren called Braves games … Continue reading Grave Story: Pete Van Wieren (1944-2014)
RIP to Bruce Sutter, a Hall of Fame pitcher and one of the pioneering relievers who made the role of closer so important. He died on Thursday, October 13, in hospice in Cartersville, Ga. He was 69 years old and had recently been diagnosed with cancer, according to statements from his family. Sutter played for … Continue reading Obituary: Bruce Sutter (1953-2022)
RIP to Marv Staehle, who played for parts of 7 seasons in the major leagues -- and hit over .400 in three of them! He died in Lake Geneva, Wis., on September 30, at the age of 80. He had been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease around 2015. Staehle played for the Chicago White Sox (1964-67), … Continue reading Obituary: Marv Staehle (1942-2022)
RIP to Tommy Boggs, the head baseball coach at Concordia University Texas and a former major-league pitcher. He died of cancer on October 5 at the age of 66. Boggs pitched for the Texas Rangers (1976-77, 1985) and Atlanta Braves (1978-83). He had been the coach at Concordia since 2009. Thomas Winton Boggs was born … Continue reading Obituary: Tommy Boggs (1955-2022)
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 Baseball 