RIP to Larry Biittner, a versatile first baseman-outfielder and one of the best pinch-hitters of his era. His family announced that he died at 6:00am on January 2, after a lengthy battle with cancer. He was 75 years old. Biittner played for the Washington Senators/Texas Rangers (1970-73, 1983), Montreal Expos (1974-76), Chicago Cubs (1976-80) and … Continue reading Obituary: Larry Biittner (1946-2022)
RIP to Kimera Bartee, a former outfielder who spent the 2021 season as the first base coach of the Detroit Tigers. He died December 20 in his home town of Omaha. According to reports, the 49-year-old collapsed while visiting family for the holidays. His father, Jerry Bartee, told the Omaha World-Herald that his son died … Continue reading Obituary: Kimera Bartee (1972-2021)
RIP to Richie Lewis, a record-breaking college pitcher who went on to have a 7-year career in the major leagues with five different teams. He died on December 8 at the age of 55. Lewis pitched for the Baltimore Orioles (1992, 1998), Florida Marlins (1993-95), Detroit Tigers (1996), Oakland Athletics (1997) and Cincinnati Reds (1997). … Continue reading Obituary: Richie Lewis (1966-2021)
Here lies Bug Holliday, who had a short but impactful career as one of the hardest hitters of the late 19th Century. He was fondly remembered for his animated personality as much as his batting prowess. Holliday played for the Cincinnati Red Stockings of the American Association (1889) and the Cincinnati Reds of the National … Continue reading Grave Story: Bug Holliday (1867-1910)
When many 19th-Century ballplayers retired, they “took to the white apron” – in other words, they became bartenders. Others became police officers or fireman, but as far as I can tell, only one became an in-demand lithographer. That would be “Long” John Reilly, one of the premier sluggers of his era. Reilly played for the … Continue reading Grave Story: John Reilly (1858-1937)
(Note: For the full story on John Reilly's life, click here.) On June 11, 1880, John Reilly boarded the steamer SS Narragansett, which was traveling from New York City to Providence. He’d later achieve fame first as a slugging first baseman and then as a lithographer, but at the time he was a 21-year-old Cincinnati … Continue reading John Reilly survives a shipwreck but breaks his heart
Here lies Charlie Gould, the first baseman on the renowned 1869 Cincinnati Red Stockings team and the first-ever manager of the Cincinnati Reds. Gould played for the Boston Red Stockings (1871-72), Baltimore Canaries (1874) and New Haven Elm Citys (1875), all of the National Association, and the Cincinnati Reds (1876-77). He also managed in New … Continue reading Grave Story: Charlie Gould (1847-1917)
RIP to Ted Wieand, who pitched for parts of two seasons with the Reds in the 1950s. He died on July 7 at the Lehigh Valley Hospital, Cedar Crest, located in Allentown, Pa. He was 88 years old. Wieand played for the Cincinnati Reds in 1958 and 1960 as part of an 11-year pro baseball … Continue reading Obituary: Ted Wieand (1933-2021)
Here lies Miller Huggins, who had a long career as an undersized but scrappy second basemen before becoming one of the game’s most renowned managers. He is a member of the Baseball Hall of Fame after winning 6 American League pennants and 3 World Series championships with some of the greatest Yankees teams of all … Continue reading Grave Story: Miller Huggins (1878-1929)
RIP to Nino Escalera, one of two players who broke the color line with the Cincinnati Reds. According to the Society for American Baseball Research (SABR) via family members, he died on July 3 in Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico, at the age of 91. Escalera played for the Reds in 1954 and became a very … Continue reading Obituary: Nino Escalera (1929-2021)
RIP Baseball 