RIP to Venezuelan pitcher Alex Herrera, whose professional career took him all around the world and included a couple of stops in Cleveland. He died on February 16 at the age of 43. According to several reports, Herrera had been ill with a heart condition. Herrera played for the Cleveland Indians in 2002 and 2003. … Continue reading Obituary: Alex Herrera (1979-2023)
RIP to David Elder, a relief pitcher for the Cleveland Indians in 2002 and 2003. He died on January 31 at the age of 47. Elder had been a baseball instructor at WOW Factor Southeast, a training facility in McDonough, Ga. In the days following his death, he was mourned not only his family and … Continue reading Obituary: David Elder (1975-2023)
RIP to Bill Davis, a Hall of Fame baseball player at the University of Minnesota who also played in the major leagues in the 1960s. He died on January 13 in Edina, Minn., at the age of 80. Davis played for the Cleveland Indians (1965-66) and San Diego Padres (1969). Arthur Willard Davis was born … Continue reading Obituary: Bill Davis (1942-2023)
RIP to Hall of Fame pitcher Gaylord Perry, who won more than 300 games with more than 3,500 strikeouts and won a Cy Young Award in each league. And yes, he is probably the most famous spitball pitcher who ever lived, though his repertoire went well beyond saliva. Perry died in his home in Gaffney, … Continue reading Obituary: Gaylord Perry (1938-2022)
RIP to Dick Ellsworth, who was an All-Star with the Cubs as part of a 13-year pitching career in the major leagues. He died on October 10 at the age of 82 from cancer. Ellsworth played for the Chicago Cubs (1958, 1960-66), Philadelphia Phillies (1967), Boston Red Sox (1968-69), Cleveland Indians (1969-70) and Milwaukee Brewers … Continue reading Obituary: Dick Ellsworth (1940-2022)
Here lies Charley "Greek" George, a short-tempered, umpire-baiting catcher whose career ended with one punch. George played for the Cleveland Indians (1935-36), Brooklyn Dodgers (1938), Chicago Cubs (1941) and Philadelphia Athletics (1945). Charles Peter George was born on Christmas Day, December 25, in 1912 in Waycross, Ga. His parents, Peter and Alice, were both born … Continue reading Grave Story: Charley “Greek” George (1912-1999)
Here lies George Gerken, who was known for his strong hitting and base-stealing expertise in the minors but never really got a chance to show off his skills in the big leagues. Gerken played for the Cleveland Indians as an outfielder in 1927 and ’28. George Herbert Gerken was born in Chicago on July 28, … Continue reading Grave Story: George Gerkin (1903-1977)
Here lies Merrill Combs, an infielder who played about a season’s worth of major-league games spread out across five years and three teams. Combs played for the Boston Red Sox (1947, 1949-50), Washington Senators (1950) and Cleveland Indians (1951-52). Merrill Russell Combs was born in Los Angeles on December 11, 1919. He is listed on … Continue reading Grave Story: Merrill Combs (1919-1981)
RIP to John Ellis, a catcher-first baseman in the majors for 13 seasons. He also became the founder of the Connecticut Cancer Foundation, which supports cancer patients and their families financially. He died on April 5 at the age of 73, after a second bout with cancer. Ellis played for the New York Yankees (1969-72), … Continue reading Obituary: John Ellis (1948-2022)
RIP to Ralph Terry, a right-handed pitcher for the Yankees during one of their greatest eras, and the MVP of the 1962 World Series. He died on March 16 at a long-term care facility in Larned, Kan., where he lived for many years following his careers as a pitcher and a professional golfer. He was … Continue reading Obituary: Ralph Terry (1936-2022)
RIP Baseball 