Here lies Dean Chance, who was a two-time All-Star and a Cy Young Award winner. That’s when he wasn’t making headlines for… other reasons. Chance pitched for the Los Angeles/California Angels (1961-66), Minnesota Twins (1967-69), Cleveland Indians (1970), New York Mets (1970) and Detroit Tigers (1971). Wilmer Dean Chance was born on June 1, 1941 … Continue reading Grave Story: Dean Chance (1941-2015)
Here lies Frank Doljack, an outfielder who had a five-year career in the majors, and then an improbable but brief comeback nine years later. Sadly, a heart attack at a young age felled him before he could get back into baseball. Doljack played for the Detroit Tigers (1930-34) and Cleveland Indians (1943). Frank Doljack was … Continue reading Grave Story: Frank Doljack (1907-1948)
RIP to Al Kaline, one of the greatest players in Detroit Tigers history and a Hall of Fame outfielder. Nicknamed "Mr. Tiger," Kaline died on April 6 at the age of 85. No cause of death officially has been released, but a family friend told The Detroit News that Kaline had suffered a stroke recently. … Continue reading Obituary: Al Kaline (1934-2020)
RIP to Ed Farmer, who had a long career as a MLB career and an even longer career as a radio broadcaster for the White Sox. He died on Wednesday night, April 1, from complications of a previous illness. He was 70 years old. According to the White Sox, he broadcasted one spring training game … Continue reading Obituary: Ed Farmer (1949-2020)
RIP to Jarrod Patterson, a corner infielder who had two brief stints in the major leagues as well as a pretty substantial career in the minors and in indie ball. Patterson, 46, was killed in a car accident on March 11. He played for the Detroit Tigers (2001) and Kansas City Royals (2003). According to … Continue reading Obituary: Jarrod Patterson (1973-2020)
Here lies Jim Delahanty, a well-traveled infielder whose penchant for troublemaking may have gotten him banned from baseball – unofficially, of course. He played for the Chicago Orphans (1901), New York Giants (1902), Boston Beaneaters (1904-05), Cincinnati Reds (1906), St. Louis Browns (1907), Washington Senators (1907-1909), and Detroit Tigers (1909-1912), as well as the Brooklyn … Continue reading Grave Story: Jim Delahanty (1879-1953)
RIP to Ted Lepcio, who was an infielder for for five teams in the 1950s and early '60s. Per his family, he died at his home on December 5 at the age of 90 -- not December 11 as originally noted. Lepcio played for the Boston Red Sox (1952-59), Detroit Tigers (1959), Philadelphia Phillies (1960), … Continue reading Obituary: Ted Lepcio (1929-2019)
RIP to Will Brunson, a former left-handed relief pitcher and scout, who died unexpectedly on November 23. He suffered a fatal heart attack while hiking with friends in Big Bend National Park in Southwest Texas. The New Braunfels, Texas, resident was 49 years old. Brunson pitched for the Los Angeles Dodgers (1998) and Detroit Tigers … Continue reading Obituary: Will Brunson (1970-2019)
Here lies Billy Hitchcock, whose life in baseball included stints as a player, coach, manager and minor-league executive. As an infielder, Hitchcock played for the Detroit Tigers (1942, 1946, 1953), Washington Senators (1946), St. Louis Browns (1947), Boston Red Sox (1948-1949) and Philadelphia Athletics (1950-1952). He also served as a manager for the Tigers (1960), … Continue reading Grave Story: Billy Hitchcock (1916-2006)
RIP to Alex Grammas, who spent more than 40 years in professional baseball as a player, coach and manager. He died on September 13 at the age of 93. As a player, Grammas was an infielder for the St. Louis Cardinals (1954-56, 1959-62), Cincinnati Reds (1956-58) and Chicago Cubs (1962-63). He also coached for the … Continue reading Obituary: Alex Grammas (1927-2019)
