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 to former pitcher Fred Lasher, who played for four different American League teams in the 1960s and '70s. He was a part of the 1968 World Championship Tigers team and pitched well in his one World Series appearance. Lasher died on February 27 at the age of 80. He played for the Minnesota Twins … Continue reading Obituary: Fred Lasher (1941-2022)
RIP to Don Dillard, who was an outfielder and pinch-hitting specialist for six seasons in the late 1950s and '60s. He died on his 85th birthday in Greenwood, S.C., on January 8. He was a resident of Orchard Park, S.C., and died at Hospice & Palliative Care of the Piedmont. Dillard played for the Cleveland … Continue reading Obituary: Don Dillard (1937-2022)
RIP to Don Demeter, who slugged more than 20 home runs in a season on four different occasions in his 11-year career. He died on November 29 at his home in Oklahoma City at the age of 86. Demeter played for the Brooklyn/Los Angeles Dodgers (1956, 1958-61), Philadelphia Phillies (1961-63), Detroit Tigers (1964-66), Boston Red … Continue reading Obituary: Don Demeter (1935-2021)
RIP to Doug Jones, an All-Star closer who was the epitome of "late-bloomer." Of his 303 career saves, 302 of them were recorded after his 30th birthday. Jones died on November 22 at the age of 64. Former pitcher Greg Swindell announced on Twitter that his friend and ex-teammate Jones had died from complications of … Continue reading Obituary: Doug Jones (1957-2021)
RIP to reliever Jerry Johnson, who pitched for seven teams in a 10-year career in the 1960s and '70s. The Canyon Lake, Calif., resident died on November 15 at the age of 77 from Lewy Body Dementia and COPD. Johnson pitched for the Philadelphia Phillies (1968-69), St. Louis Cardinals (1970), San Francisco Giants (1970-72), Cleveland … Continue reading Obituary: Jerry Johnson (1943-2021)
RIP to Billy Moran, an All-Star second infielder who had a 7-year career in the majors in the 1950s and '60s. He died on October 21 at the age of 87. Moran played for the Cleveland Indians (1958-59, 1964-65) and Los Angeles Angels (1961-64). William Nelson Moran was born in Montgomery, Ala., on November 27, … Continue reading Obituary: Billy Moran (1933-2021)
RIP to Ray Fosse, an All-Star catcher and a much-loved broadcaster for the Oakland A's. Carol Fosse, his wife of 51 years, announced that he died on October 13, after a 16-year battle with cancer. For most of that time, the Fosse family kept his illness private. It was only in August of 2021 that … Continue reading Obituary: Ray Fosse (1947-2021)
RIP Baseball 