RIP to John McNamara, who managed six different teams as part of a nearly 20-year big-league career -- most notably the 1986 Red Sox that came within an out of winning the World Series. He died on July 29 in Tennessee at the age of 88. McNamara had a 14-year career in the minor leagues … Continue reading Obituary: John McNamara (1932-2020)
RIP to Bill Gilbreth, who pitched in parts of three seasons in the major leagues and helped restore the baseball program to his school, Abilene Christian University. He died on July 12 after complications from emergency heart surgery. He was 72 years old. Gilbreth played for the Detroit Tigers (1971-72) and California Angels (1974). In … Continue reading Obituary: Bill Gilbreth (1947-2020)
Here lies Dean Chance, who was a two-time All-Star and a Cy Young Award winner. That’s when he wasn’t making headlines for… other reasons. Chance pitched for the Los Angeles/California Angels (1961-66), Minnesota Twins (1967-69), Cleveland Indians (1970), New York Mets (1970) and Detroit Tigers (1971). Wilmer Dean Chance was born on June 1, 1941 … Continue reading Grave Story: Dean Chance (1941-2015)
RIP to Jorge Rubio, the first major leaguer from the Mexican state of Baja California. He died on June 15 at the age of 75, per El Heraldo de Mexico (link is in Spanish). Rubio, an ambidextrous pitcher who threw from the right in the majors, played for the California Angels in 1966 and 1967. … Continue reading Obituary: Jorge Rubio (1945-2020)
RIP to former All-Star outfielder Claudell Washington, who died on June 10 at the age of 65. According to his former teammate John D'Acquisto and PastPros, a company that represented him for autographs, Washington died from prostate cancer. He went public with his battle in 2018, when he announced he had discontinued treatment. Washington played … Continue reading Obituary: Claudell Washington (1954-2020)
RIP to Bobby Locke, who pitched for five different teams throughout the 1950s and '60s. He died on June 4 in Uniontown, Pa., at the age of 86. Locke played for the Cleveland Indians (1959-61), St. Louis Cardinals (1962), Philadelphia Phillies (1962-64), Cincinnati Reds (1965) and California Angels (1967-68). Lawrence Donald Locke was born in … Continue reading Obituary: Bobby Locke (1934-2020)
RIP to Paul Doyle, a lefty reliever who helped the Braves into the postseason before an arm injury curtailed his career. He died on May 6 in California at the age of 80. Doyle played for the Atlanta Braves (1969), California Angels (1970, 1972) and San Diego Padres (1970). Paul Doyle was born in Philadelphia … Continue reading Obituary: Paul Doyle (1939-2020)
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 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)
RIP to Bob Lee, an All-Star pitcher who was one of the best relievers in baseball at the onset of his career. He died on March 25, 2020 in Lake Havasu City, Ariz., at the age of 82. His wife of 38 years, Kay, was by his side. Lee played for the Los Angeles/California Angels … Continue reading Obituary: Bob Lee (1937-2020)
