RIP to Don Pavletich, a backup catcher and first baseman who played in the major leagues for parts of 12 seasons. He died unexpectedly on March 5 at the age of 81. Pavletich played for the Cincinnati Reds (1957, 1959, 1962-68), Chicago White Sox (1969) and Boston Red Sox (1971-71). Don Pavletich was born in … Continue reading Obituary: Don Pavletich (1938-2020)
RIP to George Yankowski, who was one of baseball's oldest players and one of its few surviving veterans of World War II. He died on February 25 at the age of 97 in The Villages, Sumpter County, Fla. Author Doug Gladstone, who initially reported his passing, has been active in speaking out for the handful … Continue reading Obituary: George Yankowski (1922-2020)
RIP to Ramon Conde, whose MLB career was limited to 16 hitless at-bats for the 1962 Chicago White Sox. He died from a heart attack on February 23 while visiting Florida to watch preseason baseball. He was 85 years old. Conde may have played just one season in the major leagues, but he had an … Continue reading Obituary: Ramón Conde (1934-2020)
RIP to Gil Coan, an outfielder who spent parts of 11 seasons in the major leagues in the 1940s and '50s. He died on February 4 in Hendersonville, N.C., at the age of 94. At the time of his death, he was one of the oldest living baseball players and the oldest surviving New York … Continue reading Obituary: Gil Coan (1922-2020)
Here lies Sammy Strang, who could have been a world-renowned operatic singer or a decorated war hero. Instead, thanks to a love of baseball, he became one of the game’s earliest pinch-hitters. His long association with the game also led to long tenures as a coach and a minor-league team owner. He played for the … Continue reading Grave Story: Sammy Strang (1876-1932)
RIP to Don Larsen, an above-average pitcher who, for one magical game, was absolutely perfect. He died on January 1, after entering into hospice care for esophageal cancer. He was 90 years old. Larsen pitched for the St. Louis Browns (1963), Baltimore Orioles (1954, 1965), New York Yankees (1955-59), Kansas City Athletics (1960-61), Chicago White … Continue reading Obituary: Don Larsen (1929-2020)
RIP to Ted Lepcio, who was an infielder for for five teams in the 1950s and early '60s. Per his family, he died at his home on December 5 at the age of 90 -- not December 11 as originally noted. Lepcio played for the Boston Red Sox (1952-59), Detroit Tigers (1959), Philadelphia Phillies (1960), … Continue reading Obituary: Ted Lepcio (1929-2019)
RIP to Val Heim, who played 13 games for the 1942 White Sox. He was also, up to the time of his passing, the oldest living baseball player. He died on November 21 at the Brodstone Memorial Hospital in Superior, Neb. He was 99 years old. Heim inherited the mantle of oldest living ballplayer with … Continue reading Obituary: Val Heim (1920-2019)
Here lies Phil Gallivan, a pitcher for three seasons in the majors. He pitched for the Brooklyn Dodgers (1931) and Chicago White Sox (1932, 1934). He also served as a scout for 20 years, most notably with the Baltimore Orioles. All the baseball stat sites list 1907 as Gallivan's birth year, not 1906. Phil Gallivan … Continue reading Grave Story: Phil Gallivan (1907-1969)
Here lies Luke Appling, who was one of the best shortstops in the game for 20 years. He was a 7-time All-Star, a 2-time batting champion and a member of the Hall of Fame. Appling played his entire career with the Chicago White Sox, from 1930-50. Lucius Appling was born in High Point, N.C., on … Continue reading Grave Story: Luke Appling (1907-1991)
