RIP to "Sweet" Lou Johnson, an outfielder for five different teams in his 8-season career and the man behind some 1965 Dodger heroics. He died days after his 86th birthday, on October 1 -- other reports list the date of his death as September 30 or September 23. A cause of death was not listed, … Continue reading Obituary: Lou Johnson (1934-2020)
RIP to All-Star and Gold Glove second baseman Frank Bolling. He died in his hometown of Mobile, Ala. on July 11 at the age of 88. He was diagnosed with cancer almost five years ago. Bolling played for the Detroit Tigers (1954-60) and Milwaukee/Atlanta Braves (1961-66). His older brother Milt Bolling (1930-2013) also played in … Continue reading Obituary: Frank Bolling (1931-2020)
RIP to Arnold Umbach, a pitcher in the Braves organization at the time the team was making the move to Atlanta. He died on May 30 in Auburn, Ala. He was 77 years old and had been battling Parkinson's disease. Umbach played for the Milwaukee Braves (1964) and Atlanta Braves (1966). Arnold Umbach Jr. was … Continue reading Obituary: Arnold Umbach (1942-2020)
RIP to Bill Bartholomay, the former owner of the Braves who moved the team to Atlanta. He died on March 25 after a brief illness at New York-Presbyterian Hospital. Doctors, according to the Atlanta Constitution-Journal, reported that he suffered from a respiratory infection that was not the coronavirus COVID-19. He was 91 years old. The … Continue reading Obituary: Bill Bartholomay (1928-2020)
RIP to Johnny Antonelli, an All-Star pitcher and World Series who bridged the era between the New York and San Francisco Giants. He died on Feb. 28 at the age of 89. Antonelli pitched for the Boston/Milwaukee Braves (1948-50, 1953, 1961), New York/San Francisco Giants (1954-1960) and Cleveland Indians (1961). News of his passing hit … Continue reading Obituary: Johnny Antonelli (1930-2020)
Here lies Ernie Johnson, a beloved member of the Atlanta Braves family. In his playing days, he was a pretty good relief pitcher. However, he made his fame as an announcer for the Atlanta Braves for decades, taking Braves fandom nationwide thanks to the TBS superstation. Johnson played for the Boston/Milwaukee Braves (1950, 1952-58) and … Continue reading Grave Story: Ernie Johnson (1924-2011)
Here lies Johnny Blanchard, a long-time backup outfielder and catcher and a World Series hero. He was one of the great pinch hitters of his era. Blanchard played for the New York Yankees (1955; 1959-65), Kansas City Athletics (1965) and Milwaukee Braves (1965). Johnny Blanchard was born in Minneapolis on February 26, 1933. He attended … Continue reading Grave Story: Johnny Blanchard (1933-2009)
R.I.P. to Gary Kolb, a catcher/infielder/outfielder who played parts of seven seasons in the major leagues. He died in Charleston, W.V., on July 3 after a lengthy illness at the age of 79. Kolb played for the St. Louis Cardinals (1960, 1962-63), Milwaukee Braves (1964-65), New York Mets (1965) and Pittsburgh Pirates (1968-69). His cousin … Continue reading Obituary: Gary Kolb (1940-2019)
RIP to Bob Giggie, who pitched in 30 MLB games in the late 1950s and early '60s. He died on December 9 at the age of 85. Biggie played for the Milwaukee Braves (1959-60) and Kansas City Athletics (1960, 1962). Bob Giggie was born in Dorchester, Mass. on August 13, 1933. He graduated from Charlestown … Continue reading Obituary: Bob Giggie (1933-2018)
