RIP to Rich Barry, a powerful slugger in the minors who served as a pinch-hitter and outfielder for the Philadelphia Phillies in 1969. He died on October 9 at the age of 81. At the time of his death, he was living in Studio City, Calif. Richard Donovan Barry was born on September 12, 1940, … Continue reading Obituary: Rich Barry (1940-2021)
RIP to Solly Drake, who with his brother Sammy Drake (1934-2010) made up the first African-American siblings in Major League Baseball history. He died on August 18 at the age of 90. Drake, who was for many years the pastor at Greater Ebenezer Missionary Baptist Church in Los Angeles, played for the Chicago Cubs (1956), … Continue reading Obituary: Solly Drake (1930-2021)
RIP to Scott Reid, who had a brief career as an outfielder in the major leagues before becoming an important part of the Detroit Tigers organization as a scout, adviser and vice president of player personnel. He died on June 29 at the age of 74. Reid played for the Philadelphia Phillies from 1969-70 before … Continue reading Obituary: Scott Reid (1947-2021)
RIP to Jacke Davis, who had a 7-year career in professional baseball that included a short stint with the Philadelphia Phillies in 1962. Davis died on May 30 in Tyler, Texas, at the age of 85. After his playing career was over, Davis was a long-time and extremely successful high school and college coach. Jackie … Continue reading Obituary: Jacke Davis (1936-2021)
RIP to Tom Hilgendorf, a relief pitcher for three different teams in the late 1960s and '70s. Hilgendorf, a resident of Comanche, Iowa, died on March 25 at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City. He was 79 years old. Hilgendorf played for the St. Louis Cardinals (1969-70), Cleveland Indians (1972-74) and … Continue reading Obituary: Tom Hilgendorf (1942-2021)
RIP to Rheal Cormier, a lefty pitcher in the majors for 16 years and a member of multiple Canadian national teams as well. He died on March 8, about a year after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. He was 53 years old. Cormier played for the St. Louis Cardinals (1991-94), Boston Red Sox (1995, 1999-2000), … Continue reading Obituary: Rheal Cormier (1967-2021)
RIP to Stan Palys, an outfielder for four seasons in the 1950s. He died on February 8 surrounded by family at his home in Jupiter, Fla. He was 90 years old. Palys played for the Philadelphia Phillies (1953-1955) and Cincinnati Reds (1955-56), as well as the Tokyo Orions of the Japan Pacific League from 1964-67. … Continue reading Obituary: Stan Palys (1930-2021)
RIP to Grant Jackson, an 18-year major league pitcher who was a World Series hero for the 1979 "We Are Family" Pirates. Jackson died on February 2 at Canonsburg Hospital in Canonsburg, Pa., from COVID-19 complications. He was 78 years old. In his career, Jackson played for the Philadelphia Phillies (1965-70), Baltimore Orioles (1971-76), New … Continue reading Obituary: Grant Jackson (1942-2021)
RIP to Billy DeMars, who was one of the last surviving members of two defunct teams and a former big-league coach for nearly two decades. He died on December 10 at the age of 95 in Clearwater, Fla. DeMars played for the Philadelphia Athletics (1948) and St. Louis Browns (1950-51). After a few years of … Continue reading Obituary: Billy DeMars (1925-2020)
RIP to Phil Linz, who became one of the most famous utility infielders in baseball thanks to an off-field incident involving, of all things, a harmonica. He died on December 9 at the age of 81. Friend, former teammate and former business partner Art Shamsky broke the news on Twitter, calling Linz "a terrific player … Continue reading Obituary: Phil Linz (1939-2020)
