R.I.P. to Don Newcombe, a Dodgers legend and an All-Star pitcher who helped integrate the game of baseball. He died on February 19 at the age of 92 after a long illness. In making the announcement, the Los Angeles Dodgers called Newcombe, "one of the franchise's final links to Brooklyn and the days of Roy … Continue reading Obituary: Don Newcombe (1926-2019)
Here lies Clayton Lambert, who had a pretty good season in the majors and one short, really not-good, strange season. His MLB career was delayed for several years by World War II. Lambert pitched for the Cincinnati Reds (1946-47). Clayton Lambert was born in Summit, Ill., on March 26, 1917. He went to Illinois College … Continue reading Grave Story: Clayton Lambert (1917-1981)
RIP to Frank Robinson, a member of the National Baseball Hall of Fame, the only player to win the MVP Award in both the American and National Leagues, the first African-American manager in baseball history, and one of its most underrated superstars. He died on February 7, 2019 at the age of 83. It was … Continue reading Obituary: Frank Robinson (1935-2019)
Here lies John Noriega, a pitcher who appeared briefly for the Cincinnati Reds in 1969 and 1970. He made it to the majors in spite of thefact that he had only one fully functional eye. His left eye was paralyzed since birth and could only focus straight ahead, but it didn’t affect his athletic prowess. … Continue reading Grave Story: John Noriega (1943-2001)
Here lies Ed Heusser, a pitcher for the famed Gas House Gang who also had a once-in-a-lifetime brilliant season with the Reds. He played for the St. Louis Cardinals (1935-36), Philadelphia Phillies (1938, 1948), Philadelphia Athletics (1940) and Cincinnati Reds (1943-46). Edward Burlton Heusser was born on May, 1909 in Murray, Utah. His father died … Continue reading Grave Story: Ed Heusser (1909-1956)
Here lies Roy Castleton, the first native Utahan to ever play Major League Baseball. He was a brilliant pitcher, when he wasn’t fending off near-fatal illnesses. The lefty played for the New York Highlanders (Yankees) (1907) and Cincinnati Reds (1909-1910). Castleton’s family were early Utah pioneers, according to his SABR biography. His parents had emigrated … Continue reading Grave Story: Roy Castleton (1885-1967)
RIP to Jim Hoff, a former minor-league infielder and manager who had worked as the minor-league field coordinator for the Tampa Bay Rays since 2002. He died unexpectedly on December 11 at the age of 73. Hoff was born on April 16, 1945 and graduated from Xavier University in 1967. He signed with the Cincinnati … Continue reading Obituary: Jim Hoff (1945-2018)
Here lies Joe Just, who served as a backup catcher for the Cincinnati Reds during World War II. He played in a total of 25 games for the Reds in 1944-5. Though his MLB career was short, he persevered through a litany of injuries that would have driven most players to an early retirement. One … Continue reading Joe Just
The Cincinnati Reds are reporting that three of their players have been involved in a car accident in the Dominican Republic. One player has died and two have been hospitalized. According to WYMT news, the dead player has been identified as pitcher Jairo Capellán, 19. He made 18 relief appearances for the DSL Reds of … Continue reading One Reds prospect killed, two injured in car accident
Here lies Al Simmons, a Hall of Fame outfielder and one of the most dangerous hitters of the 1920s and ‘30s. He was nicknamed, “Bucketfoot Al,” given due to his unique batting stance. Simmons played outfield for the Philadelphia Athletics (1924-32; 1940-1; 1944), Chicago White Sox (1933-35), Detroit Tigers (1936), Washington Senators (1937-8), Boston Bees … Continue reading Al Simmons
