Harry Steinfeldt is the answer to one of baseball’s classic trivia questions – who was the third baseman in the Tinker-to-Evers-to-Chance infield? It isn’t a fair summary of his career, though. For 14 years, he was a dependable infielder, and most of that time wasn’t even spent with his Hall of Fame compatriots. Steinfeldt played … Continue reading Grave Story: Harry Steinfeldt (1875-1914)
Here lies Frank Bancroft, who managed seven different teams in his career, including one of the most remarkable teams of the 19th Century. He also became a successful business manager who instituted several baseball traditions we still hold dear. Bancroft managed the Worcester Ruby Legs (1880), Detroit Wolverines (1881-82), Cleveland Blues (1883), Providence Grays (1884-85), … Continue reading Grave Story: Frank Bancroft (1846-1921)
RIP to Mike Bell, a part of the three-generation Bell baseball family and the bench coach for the Minnesota Twins. He died in Arizona on March 26 at the age of 46 from kidney cancer. He was diagnosed with cancer in January 2021 and underwent surgery to remove a kidney and part of his liver. … Continue reading Obituary: Mike Bell (1974-2021)
RIP to Ed Armbrister, an outfielder who, intentional or not, was part of one of the most notorious moments in World Series history. He died on March 17 in Nassau, Bahamas, after battling diabetes for several years. He was 72 years old. Armbrister played for the Cincinnati Reds from 1973 until 1977 and is one … Continue reading Obituary: Ed Armbrister (1948-2021)
RIP to Rheal Cormier, a lefty pitcher in the majors for 16 years and a member of multiple Canadian national teams as well. He died on March 8, about a year after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. He was 53 years old. Cormier played for the St. Louis Cardinals (1991-94), Boston Red Sox (1995, 1999-2000), … Continue reading Obituary: Rheal Cormier (1967-2021)
Jim Keenan typifies the experience of the earliest professional baseball player. He played for five teams in three professional leagues for 11 seasons over a span of 17 years. Oh, and he played at seven different positions during that time, too. Major League Baseball is professional, regimented, orderly and specialized now, but that hides its … Continue reading Grave Story: Jim Keenan (1856-1926)
RIP to Stan Palys, an outfielder for four seasons in the 1950s. He died on February 8 surrounded by family at his home in Jupiter, Fla. He was 90 years old. Palys played for the Philadelphia Phillies (1953-1955) and Cincinnati Reds (1955-56), as well as the Tokyo Orions of the Japan Pacific League from 1964-67. … Continue reading Obituary: Stan Palys (1930-2021)
RIP to Tom Acker, who pitched for four seasons in the majors in the 1950s. He was also a big part of the baseball scene in his home of New Jersey after leaving professional baseball. He died on January 4 in his home in Narvon, Pa. He was 90 years old. Acker played for the … Continue reading Obituary: Tom Acker (1930-2021)
RIP to two-time All-Star infielder and in-demand hitting coach Denis Menke. His family announced that he died in Tarpon Springs, Fla., on December 1. He was 80 years old. Menke played for the Milwaukee/Atlanta Braves (1962-67), Houston Astros (1968-71, 1974) and Cincinnati Reds (1972-73). Denis John Menke was born in Bancroft, Iowa, on July 21, … Continue reading Obituary: Denis Menke (1940-2020)
Here lies Orville Woodruff, a slick fielder whose major-league career consisted of two seasons, six years apart. Woodruff played for the Cincinnati Reds in 1904 and 1910. He listed as “Sam Woodruff” on Baseball Reference and all the stat sites for reasons that I have not determined. Orville Francis Woodruff was born in Chilo, Ohio, … Continue reading Grave Story: Orville (Sam) Woodruff (1876-1937)
