RIP to Hall of Fame manager Tommy Lasorda, who guided the Dodgers to four National League pennants and two World Series titles in 20 years of leading the team. Over the course of his seven-decade career as a player, scout, coach, manager and front-office executive, Lasorda became one of the game's biggest personalities. He died … Continue reading Obituary: Tommy Lasorda (1927-2021)
RIP to Dan Pfister, who had two separate careers in sports -- one as a pitcher in the major leagues, and one as a Hall of Fame softball player. He died on November 9 at the age of 83. Pfister played for the Kansas City Athletics from 1961-64. Daniel Albin Pfister was born in Plainfield, … Continue reading Obituary: Dan Pfister (1936-2020)
RIP to Hal Raether, who was one of the last surviving members of the Philadelphia Athletics. He died on September 26 at the age of 87. Per Baseball Reference, there are now six surviving Philadelphia A's alumni. Raether pitched for the Philadelphia A's in 1954 and Kansas City Athletics in 1957. Harold Herman Raether was … Continue reading Obituary: Hal Raether (1932-2020)
RIP to Bobby Prescott, a Panamanian power hitter who had a brief stay in the major leagues after years of productivity in the minors. He died on August 2 at the age of 89. Prescott played for the Kansas City Athletics in 1961. George Bertrand "Bobby" Prescott was born in Colon, Panama on March 27, … Continue reading Obituary: Bobby Prescott (1931-2020)
Here lies Satchel Paige, one of the greatest pitchers in baseball history. Even though he was prevented from playing Major League Baseball until late in his career, his legend was large enough that he was one of the most famous (and well-paid) pitchers in baseball for decades. After more than 20 years of pitching in … Continue reading Grave Story: Satchel Paige (1906?-1982)
RIP to Jay Hankins, an outfielder for two years in the majors and a minor-league manager, scout and scouting director after that. He died on January 20 at the age of 84. Hankins played for the Kansas City Athletics in 1961 and 1963. Jay Hankins was born in St. Louis County, Mo., on November 7, … Continue reading Obituary: Jay Hankins (1935-2020)
RIP to Hal Smith, a catcher for 10 seasons who hit one of the most dramatic home runs in Pirates history -- which set up THE most dramatic home run in Pirates history. His nephew, former major-leaguer Tim Flannery, reported that Smith died January 9 at the age of 89. Smith played for the Baltimore … Continue reading Obituary: Hal Smith (1930-2020)
RIP to Don Larsen, an above-average pitcher who, for one magical game, was absolutely perfect. He died on January 1, after entering into hospice care for esophageal cancer. He was 90 years old. Larsen pitched for the St. Louis Browns (1963), Baltimore Orioles (1954, 1965), New York Yankees (1955-59), Kansas City Athletics (1960-61), Chicago White … Continue reading Obituary: Don Larsen (1929-2020)
RIP to Weldon "Hoss" Bowlin, whose major-league playing career amounted to two games with the 1967 Kansas City Athletics. He also had a long and successful career as the head baseball coach at the University of West Alabama. He died on December 8 at the age of 78. Lois Weldon Bowlin was born in Paragould, … Continue reading Obituary: Weldon “Hoss” Bowlin (1940-2019)
RIP to Irv Noren, who for 10 years was an All-Star outfielder/first baesman and a three-time World Series champ as a player. He died on November 15 in his home in Carlsbad, Calif. He was 94 years old. Noren played for the Washington Senators (1950-52), New York Yankees (1952-56), Kansas City Athletics (1957), St. Louis … Continue reading Obituary: Irv Noren (1924-2019)
