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)
R.I.P. to Art Mazmanian, an All-American college baseball player, minor-leaguer in the Yankees organization and a long-time manager for high school, college and minor-league baseball. He died on March 22 in San Dimas, Calif., at the age of 91. Art Mazmanian was born on May 1, 1927 in Detroit, Mich. He attended the University of … Continue reading Obituary: Art Mazmanian (1927-2019)
RIP to Bob Friend, an ace pitcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates who threw more than 200 innings a season for an 11-year stretch with the team. He died in his sleep on February 3 at the age of 88, the Pirates announced. Friend pitched for the Pirates from 1951-65, as well as the New York … Continue reading Obituary: Bob Friend (1930-2019)
