RIP to Bobby Mitchell, an outfielder and designated hitter in the early 1970s, and a league-leading slugger in Japan. He died in Sacramento, Calif., on September 29 at the age of 75, Mitchell played for the New York Yankees (1970) and Milwaukee Brewers (1971, 1972-75), as well as the Nippon Ham Fighters (1976-79). Robert Vance … Continue reading Obituary: Bobby Mitchell (1943-2019)
RIP to Bobby Del Greco, an outfielder for six teams from 1952-1965. He died on October 13 at the age of 86. He had been battling severe dementia, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Del Greco played for the Pittsburgh Pirates (1952, 1956), St. Louis Cardinals (1956), Chicago Cubs (1957), New York Yankees (1957-58), Philadelphia Phillies … Continue reading Obituary: Bobby Del Greco (1933-2019)
On August 17, 1920, the Indians' Ray Champan died from injuries suffered when he was stuck in the head with a Carl Mays pitch. It was a tragic, senseless death and baseball players demanded that they be allowed to wear batting helmets to prevent more tragic, senseless deaths from happening. Just kidding. They fought against … Continue reading Baseball history: Yankees don’t want no sissy batting helmets
RIP to Charlie Silvera, who was the long-time backup catcher to Yogi Berra. He died on September 7 at the age of 94. Silvera played for the New York Yankees (1948-1956) and Chicago Cubs (1957). Charlie Silvera was born in San Francisco on October 13, 1924. The New York Times obituary stated that his father … Continue reading Obituary: Charlie Silvera (1924-2019)
R.I.P. to Truman "Tex" Clevenger, who had an eight-year career in the major leagues as a relief pitcher. He died on August 24 from Alzheimer's disease at the age of 87. Clevenger played for the Boston Red Sox (1954), Washington Senators (1956-60), Los Angeles Angels (1961) and New York Yankees (1961-62). Truman Clevenger was born … Continue reading Obituary: Tex Clevenger (1932-2019)
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 Jim Bouton, who went from an All-Star pitcher to a bestselling author to a baseball pariah to entertainment personality to a beloved and respected baseball figure. He died on July 10, at the age of 80. The ex-pitcher had suffered a severe stroke in 2012, which led to cerebral amyloid angiopathy, a disease … Continue reading Obituary: Jim Bouton (1939-2019)
Here lies Tom Burr, who appeared in 1 game in center field for the New York Yankees in 1914, though he was signed as a pitcher. He is one of a handful of major leaguers who gave his life in service to his country, dying in a plane crash in France during World War I. … Continue reading Grave Story: Tom Burr (1893-1918)
R.I.P. to Hardy "Pete" Peterson, a catcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates and the GM for the same team during its "We Are Family" era. He died on April 16 at the age of 89. He played for the Pirates from 1955 and 1957-59. His son, Rick Peterson, was a pitching coach for the A's and … Continue reading Obituary: Hardy Peterson (1929-2019)
R.I.P. to Scott Sanderson, an All-Star pitcher who won 163 games over a 19-year career. He died today, April 11, at the age of 62. His death was first reported on Twitter by Daily Herald columnist Barry Rozner. https://twitter.com/BarryRozner/status/1116429821398089728 Canadian journalist/author/Expos historian Danny Gallagher had reported more than a year ago that Sanderson had his … Continue reading Obituary: Scott Sanderson (1956-2019)
