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 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)
Here lies Steve Evans, a solid player in the National and Federal leagues, and one of the early 20th Century’s unrivaled flakes. Evans was an outfielder and first baseman for the New York Giants (1908) and St. Louis Cardinals (1909-1913), and then the Brooklyn Tip-Tops (1914-15) and Baltimore Terrapins (1915) of the Federal League. All … Continue reading Grave Story: Steve Evans (1883- 1943)
RIP to Gil Coan, an outfielder who spent parts of 11 seasons in the major leagues in the 1940s and '50s. He died on February 4 in Hendersonville, N.C., at the age of 94. At the time of his death, he was one of the oldest living baseball players and the oldest surviving New York … Continue reading Obituary: Gil Coan (1922-2020)
Here lies Sammy Strang, who could have been a world-renowned operatic singer or a decorated war hero. Instead, thanks to a love of baseball, he became one of the game’s earliest pinch-hitters. His long association with the game also led to long tenures as a coach and a minor-league team owner. He played for the … Continue reading Grave Story: Sammy Strang (1876-1932)
Here lies Red Lucas, a consistent starting pitcher for 16 years in the major leagues. His real claim to fame, though, came with a bat – Lucas is one of the best pinch hitters in baseball history. Lucas played for the New York Giants (1923), Boston Braves (1924-25), Cincinnati Reds (1926-33) and Pittsburgh Pirates (1935-38). … Continue reading Grave Story: Red Lucas (1902-1986)
Here lies Paul Giel, and if you’re a University of Minnesota football fan, you may know this name. He was a Heisman Trophy runner-up, a commentator for the Minnesota Vikings and an athletic director of the Gophers for more than 15 years. However, we’re going to talk about his career as a major-league pitcher and … Continue reading Grave Story: Paul Giel (1932-2002)
Here lies Hy Vandenberg, who pitched for seven seasons in the 1930s and ‘40s. He didn’t have his best seasons until he reached the age where most ballplayers retire. Vandenberg played for the Boston Red Sox (1935), New York Giants (1937-40) and Chicago Cubs (1944-45). Harold Harris Vandenberg was born on March 17, 1906 in … Continue reading Grave Story: Hy Vandenberg (1906-1994)
Here lies Elmer Foster, an outfielder for three teams in the 1880s & ‘90s. He was, in the words of the great Chicago newspaperman Hugh Fullerton, the greatest disturber and enemy of peacefulness that the game had ever seen. Foster played for the New York Metropolitans of the American Association (1886), New York Giants (1888-1889) … Continue reading Grave Story: Elmer Foster (1861-1946)
Here lies Claude Jonnard, one-half of the Jonnard twins that played in the 1920s and ‘30s. He was the older of the two, having been born an hour ahead of his brother, Clarence. Claude pitched for the New York Giants (1921-24), St. Louis Browns (1926) and Chicago Cubs (1929). The Jonnard boys were born in … Continue reading Grave Story: Claude Jonnard (1897-1959)
RIP Baseball 