RIP to Dave Hillman, a pitcher from the 1950s and '60s who suffered from poor support and freak injuries throughout his career. He also was the oldest living ex-Red and Ex-Met. He died on November 20 from natural causes at his assisted care facility in Kingsport, Tenn. He was 95 years old. Hillman pitched for … Continue reading Obituary: Dave Hillman (1927-2022)
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 Dick Ellsworth, who was an All-Star with the Cubs as part of a 13-year pitching career in the major leagues. He died on October 10 at the age of 82 from cancer. Ellsworth played for the Chicago Cubs (1958, 1960-66), Philadelphia Phillies (1967), Boston Red Sox (1968-69), Cleveland Indians (1969-70) and Milwaukee Brewers … Continue reading Obituary: Dick Ellsworth (1940-2022)
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 Ken Frailing, a left-handed pitcher who was part of one of the more infamous trades between the Cubs and White Sox. He died unexpectedly on August 25 at the age of 74 -- his death was announced by members of his family and members of the Sarasota (Fla.) Alliance Church where he was … Continue reading Obituary: Ken Frailing (1948-2022)
RIP to Lee Thomas, who was an All-Star as a ballplayer and the architect of a pennant-winning team as a baseball executive. He died on August 31 at the age of 86 in his home in Chesterfield, Mo. He had been on hospice care following a long illness. Thomas played for the New York Yankees … Continue reading Obituary: Lee Thomas (1936-2022)
RIP to Bob Locker, a durable (and record-setting) relief pitcher who appeared in nearly 600 major-league games in the 1960s and '70s. He died on August 15 in Bozeman, Mont., at the age of 84. Locker played for the Chicago White Sox (1965-69), Seattle Pilots/Milwaukee Brewers (1969-70), Oakland A's (1970-72) and Chicago Cubs (1973, 1975). … Continue reading Obituary: Bob Locker (1938-2022)
RIP to Dwight Smith, a Rookie of the Year runner-up in 1989 and a sparkplug of one on the best Cubs teams of the last half century. The Atlanta Braves, with whom he won a World Series championship in 1995, reported that he died on July 22 at the age of 58. Legacy.com has stated … Continue reading Obituary: Dwight Smith (1963-2022)
Here lies Fred Toney, who is probably best remembered today as the winning pitcher of baseball’s only double no-hit game. But that wasn’t even the best game he ever pitched. In a 12-year career in the majors, Toney played for the Chicago Cubs (1911-1913), Cincinnati Reds (1915-18), New York Giants (1918-22) and St. Louis Cardinals … Continue reading Grave Story: Fred Toney (1888-1953)
RIP to Tommy Davis, an All-Star and two-time National League batting champion. He died at his home in Phoenix on April 3 at the age of 83. Davis played for the Los Angeles Dodgers (1959-66), New York Mets (1967), Chicago White Sox (1968), Seattle Pilots (1969), Houston Astros (1969-70), Oakland Athletics (1970, 1971), Chicago Cubs … Continue reading Obituary: Tommy Davis (1939-2022)
RIP Baseball 