RIP to Ryan Costello, an infielder in the Minnesota Twins organization. It was announced that Costello died in Auckland, New Zealand, overnight. The 23-year-old had arrived in the country last week in preparation to play with the Auckland Tuatara of the Australian Baseball League over the winter. Initial reports indicate that Costello died of natural … Continue reading Twins prospect dies in New Zealand
RIP to Art Clarkson, a sports legend in Birmingham, Ala. He helped rescue the Birmingham Barons from baseball oblivion and also brought the Birmingham Bulls, a minor-league hockey team, to the city. He died on October 7 at the age of 78. The Bulls reported that Clarkson had stepped down as managing partner of the … Continue reading Obituary: Art Clarkson (1941-2019)
RIP to Andy Etchebarren, a two-time All-Star catcher and a long-time minor-league manager. He died on October 5 at the age of 76. Etchebarren played for the Baltimore Orioles (1962, 1965-1975), California Angels (1975-1977) and Milwaukee Brewers (1978). He managed in the minor leagues and in independent baseball until 2012. https://twitter.com/yorkrevolution/status/1180649588442779650?s=20 Andy Etchebarren was born … Continue reading Obituary: Andy Etchebarren (1943-2019)
Here lies Tom “Tink” Turner, who got his one-game career in major-league baseball the old-fashioned way: he asked for it. Yes, things were a little different in baseball in the 1910s. Turner pitched in one game for the Philadelphia Athletics in 1915 and parlayed that into a long career as a scout and minor-league executive. … Continue reading Grave Story: Tom “Tink” Turner (1890-1962)
Here lies Spencer Harris, who had a brief, 4-year career in the majors. That short description doesn’t even begin to do justice to his professional career, as Harris played in professional baseball for almost 30 years and retired as one of the greatest hitters in the history of the minor leagues. Harris was an outfielder … Continue reading Grave Story: Spencer Harris (1900-1982)
Here lies Herschel Greer, a Nashville businessman who helped to keep minor league baseball in Music City, at least for a little while. The Nashville Sounds played in a stadium named after him until 2014. Nashville has had baseball even longer than it’s had country music. There have been teams in minor or independent leagues … Continue reading Grave Story: Herschel Greer (1906-1976)
Chace Numata, a switch-hitting catcher in the Detroit Tigers organization, died on September 2 from injuries suffered in a skateboarding accident. Numata, who was 27 and a member of the Erie SeaWolves, was hospitalized in Erie, Pa., after a fall early on August 29. Video surveillance footage showed that Numata's skateboard suddenly stopped as if … Continue reading Tigers minor-leaguer dies after skateboarding accident
Here lies Harold “Chief” Wonson, who had a brief career as a pitcher in the minor leagues. He would go on to a long teaching career, but he still found a way to make it to the majors – as a batting practice pitcher. Harold Wonson was born on August 3, 1918, in Washington, D.C. … Continue reading Grave Story: Harold “Chief” Wonson (1918-1998)
Here lies Mike Kelley, one of the most important figures in the history of Twin Cities minor-league baseball. He was one of the last of the independent minor-league team owners. He also was a first baseman for the Louisville Colonels in 1899, the last year Louisville had a major-league team. Michael Joseph Kelley was born … Continue reading Grave Story: Mike Kelley (1875-1955)
R.I.P. to John Carbray, the founder of the Fresno Grizzles, the AAA affiliate of the Washington Nationals. He died from Alzheimer's disease on August 10 at the age of 80. Prior to founding the Grizzles, he had been active as a minor-league baseball executive going back to the 1960s. John Carbray was born on November … Continue reading Obituary: John Carbray (1938-2019)
RIP Baseball 