RIP to Lee Thomas, who was an All-Star as a ballplayer and the architect of a pennant-winning team as a baseball executive. He died on August 31 at the age of 86 in his home in Chesterfield, Mo. He had been on hospice care following a long illness. Thomas played for the New York Yankees … Continue reading Obituary: Lee Thomas (1936-2022)
Here lies George Halas – better known as “Papa Bear.” He is the founder of the Chicago Bears, its longest tenured owner and coach, and arguably one of the more important figures in the history of professional football. So why are we talking about him on a baseball history website? Because before George Halas made … Continue reading Grave Story: George Halas (1895-1983)
RIP to Bill Burbach, the first player ever taken by the Yankees in the first-ever Amateur Draft in 1965. He died on July 20 from natural causes in the Sycamore Shoals Hospital in Elizabethton, Tenn. Burbach, a Johnson City resident, was 74 years old. He pitched for the New York Yankees from 1969-71. Prior to … Continue reading Obituary: Bill Burbach (1947-2022)
RIP to Dick Schofield, a one-time “bonus baby” and part of a long baseball family dynasty. He died on July 11, at 10:30am, at his residence in Springfield, Ill. He was 87 years old. Schofield played for the St. Louis Cardinals (1953-58, 1968, 1971), Pittsburgh Pirates (1958-1965), San Francisco Giants (1965-66), New York Yankees (1966), … Continue reading Obituary: Dick Schofield (1935-2022)
Here lies Cory Lidle, a starting pitcher for seven teams over a 9-year career in the 1990s and 2000s. His final career appearance came in the playoffs, shortly before his tragic death in a plane crash. Lidle played for the New York Mets (1997), Tampa Bay Devil Rays (1999-2000), Oakland Athletics (2001-2002), Toronto Blue Jays … Continue reading Grave Story: Cory Lidle (1972-2006)
Here lies Lee Stine, who started pitching professionally at an incredibly young age and never really took a break for years afterward. He was also a very good hitter and may have had a better career as an outfielder if he started at it from the beginning. Stine played for the Chicago White Sox (1934-35), … Continue reading Grave Story: Lee Stine (1913-2005)
RIP to Gordon "Gordie" Windhorn, who played in the major leagues as an outfielder for parts of three seasons in the 1950s and '60s. He died on May 21 in Danville, Va., at the age of 88. Windhorn played for the New York Yankees (1959), Los Angeles Dodgers (1961), Kansas City Athletics (1962) and Los … Continue reading Obituary: Gordon Windhorn (1933-2022)
RIP to John Cumberland, who spent nearly 40 years in professional baseball as a pitcher and a coach. He died at his home in Lutz, Fla., on April 5, at the age of 74. Cumberland played for the New York Yankees (1968-70), San Francisco Giants (1970-72), St. Louis Cardinals (1972) and California Angels (1974).. He … Continue reading Obituary: John Cumberland (1947-2022)
Here lies Hugh High, who was one of three High brothers to reach the major leagues. His big break in the major leagues came when he had a chance to replace one of the game’s all-time greats – at least for a time. High played for the Detroit Tigers (1913-14) and New York Yankees (1915-18). … Continue reading Grave Story: Hugh High (1887-1962)
The New York Yankees have a fine tradition of excellence in their catching corps. Of course, there is Yogi Berra, who’s one of the top two catchers to ever play in the American or National League. Then there is a string of very good-to-excellent catchers with Elston Howard, Thurman Munson and Jorge Posada. But the … Continue reading Grave Story: Bill Dickey (1907-1993)
RIP Baseball 