Here lies Charley "Greek" George, a short-tempered, umpire-baiting catcher whose career ended with one punch. George played for the Cleveland Indians (1935-36), Brooklyn Dodgers (1938), Chicago Cubs (1941) and Philadelphia Athletics (1945). Charles Peter George was born on Christmas Day, December 25, in 1912 in Waycross, Ga. His parents, Peter and Alice, were both born … Continue reading Grave Story: Charley “Greek” George (1912-1999)
RIP to Vin Scully, the greatest broadcaster in the history of baseball -- if not all of professional sports. In a career that spanned 67 years, Scully's voice was a constant in Dodgers history, from Jackie Robinson to Clayton Kershaw. The Dodgers announced that Scully died on August 2 at the age of 94. "We … Continue reading Obituary: Vin Scully (1927-2022)
RIP to Joe Pignatano, who won a World Series with the Dodgers as a backup catcher. He also had a long coaching career and was the last surviving coach of the 1969 "Miracle Mets" team. He died on May 23 in Naples, Fla., at the age of 92. He had been suffering from dementia. Pignatano … Continue reading Obituary: Joe Pignatano (1929-2022)
Here lies Cliff Dapper, who had a sensational career with the Dodgers — but that career lasted just 8 games. The long-time minor-league catcher and manager was also once traded for a future Hall of Famer, but you’d probably never guess which Hall of Famer unless you already know the story. Dapper’s brief career came … Continue reading Grave Story: Cliff Dapper (1920-2011)
RIP to Eddie Basinski, who was the second-oldest living ballplayer and one of the last surviving members of the Brooklyn Dodgers. He died on January 8 in Gladstone, Ore., at the age of 99. He had lived in a care facility there for the last seven years after being diagnosed with dementia. Basinski played for … Continue reading Obituary: Eddie Basinski (1922-2022)
RIP to Don Demeter, who slugged more than 20 home runs in a season on four different occasions in his 11-year career. He died on November 29 at his home in Oklahoma City at the age of 86. Demeter played for the Brooklyn/Los Angeles Dodgers (1956, 1958-61), Philadelphia Phillies (1961-63), Detroit Tigers (1964-66), Boston Red … Continue reading Obituary: Don Demeter (1935-2021)
RIP to Tim Thompson, a catcher for several teams in the 1950s and a scout for several decades after his playing career ended. He died on October 25 in his home in Lewistown, Pa., at the age of 97. Sadly, his wife of 78 years, Lois, died on October 27, also at the age of … Continue reading Obituary: Tim Thompson (1924-2021)
RIP to Wayne Terwilliger, one of the longest-tenured baseball lifers in the history of the game. Between his career as a player, coach and manager, he spent more than 60 years as an on-field part of professional baseball. He died on February 3 in Weatherford, Texas, at the age of 95. He had been in … Continue reading Obituary: Wayne Terwilliger (1925-2021)
RIP to Hall of Fame manager Tommy Lasorda, who guided the Dodgers to four National League pennants and two World Series titles in 20 years of leading the team. Over the course of his seven-decade career as a player, scout, coach, manager and front-office executive, Lasorda became one of the game's biggest personalities. He died … Continue reading Obituary: Tommy Lasorda (1927-2021)
Here lies Waite Hoyt, who was a rarity in baseball – a teenage phenom who actually lived up to his potential. Hoyt’s 21-year career included stops with the New York Giants (1918, 1932), Boston Red Sox (1919-20), New York Yankees (1921-30), Detroit Tigers (1930-31), Philadelphia Athletics (1931), Brooklyn Dodgers (1932, 1937-38) and Pittsburgh Pirates (1933-37). … Continue reading Grave Story: Waite Hoyt (1899-1984)
RIP Baseball 