Here lies Lee Fohl, who managed three teams in an 11-year career as a manager in the big leagues. He also had the briefest of playing careers as a catcher. Fohl played for the Pittsburgh Pirates (1902) and Cincinnati Reds (1903) and managed the Cleveland Indians (1915-1919), St. Louis Browns (1921-1923) and Boston Red Sox … Continue reading Grave Story: Lee Fohl (1876-1965)
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)
Here lies Jim Delahanty, a well-traveled infielder whose penchant for troublemaking may have gotten him banned from baseball – unofficially, of course. He played for the Chicago Orphans (1901), New York Giants (1902), Boston Beaneaters (1904-05), Cincinnati Reds (1906), St. Louis Browns (1907), Washington Senators (1907-1909), and Detroit Tigers (1909-1912), as well as the Brooklyn … Continue reading Grave Story: Jim Delahanty (1879-1953)
RIP to Tony Fernández, an All-Star and Gold Glove infielder with a 17-year career in the majors. He died on February 15 at the age of 57 after suffering from chronic kidney problems, a recent bout with pneumonia and a stroke. Fernandez, who announced in 2017 that he had Polycistic Kidney Disease, was placed in … Continue reading Obituary: Tony Fernández (1962-2020)
RIP to Ed Sprague Sr., a relief pitcher who was a part of the original Oakland A's teams. The A's reported on January 10 that he had died at the age of 74. Sprague pitched for the Athletics (1968-69), Cincinnati Reds (1971-73), St. Louis Cardinals (1973) and Milwaukee Brewers (1973-76). His son, Ed Jr., was … Continue reading Obituary: Ed Sprague Sr. (1945-2020)
RIP to Hal Smith, a catcher for 10 seasons who hit one of the most dramatic home runs in Pirates history -- which set up THE most dramatic home run in Pirates history. His nephew, former major-leaguer Tim Flannery, reported that Smith died January 9 at the age of 89. Smith played for the Baltimore … Continue reading Obituary: Hal Smith (1930-2020)
RIP to Jim Coates, a pitcher on several of the New York Yankees' championship teams of the early 1960s. He died on November 14 at the age of 87. Coates played for the Yankees (1956, 1959-62), Washington Senators (1963), Cincinnati Reds (1963) and California Angels (1965-67). Jim Coates was born in Famham, Va., on August … Continue reading Obituary: Jim Coates (1932-2019)
RIP to Bob "Rocky" Johnson, an infielder and standout pinch-hitter who played for a decade in the majors in the 1960s. Former teammate Jim Palmer reported on Twitter that Johnson, 83, died in Minnesota. Wikipedia notes that Johnson died on November 12 from Parkinson's disease. Johnson played for the Kansas City/Oakland Athletics (1960, 1969-70), Washington … Continue reading Obituary: Bob Johnson (1936-2019)
Here lies Red Lucas, a consistent starting pitcher for 16 years in the major leagues. His real claim to fame, though, came with a bat – Lucas is one of the best pinch hitters in baseball history. Lucas played for the New York Giants (1923), Boston Braves (1924-25), Cincinnati Reds (1926-33) and Pittsburgh Pirates (1935-38). … Continue reading Grave Story: Red Lucas (1902-1986)
RIP to Sammy Taylor, a catcher for 6 seasons in the late '50s and early '60s. He died on October 8 at the age of 86 in his home town of Woodruff, S.C. Taylor played for the Chicago Cubs (1958-62), New York Mets (1962-63), Cincinnati Reds (1963) and Cleveland Indians (1963). Samuel Taylor was born … Continue reading Obituary: Sammy Taylor (1933-2019)
