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)
For a period of about six years in the 1980s, the most dominant closer in baseball wasn’t a hulking fireballer like Goose Gossage or Lee Smith. It was a submarine-throwing soft-tosser with an endless supply of quotes and quips. Dan Quisenberry was one of those rare players who enhanced the game by his mere existence, … Continue reading Grave Story: Dan Quisenberry (1953-1998)
RIP to David Green, part of the 1982 World Champion Cardinals teams and the first major-league Nicaraguan position player.. He died on January 25 at the age of 61. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported that he died of respiratory failure in Christian Northeast Hospital in St. Louis. He suffered from a choking incident about a … Continue reading Obituary: David Green (1960-2022)
RIP to Roger Samuels, who transformed from a wild starting pitcher to an effective reliever relatively late in his career, earning a couple of callups to the major leagues. He died on January 17 at his home in San Jose, Calif., at the age of 61. He had been battling kidney cancer for several years. … Continue reading Obituary: Roger Samuels (1961-2022)
RIP to reliever Jerry Johnson, who pitched for seven teams in a 10-year career in the 1960s and '70s. The Canyon Lake, Calif., resident died on November 15 at the age of 77 from Lewy Body Dementia and COPD. Johnson pitched for the Philadelphia Phillies (1968-69), St. Louis Cardinals (1970), San Francisco Giants (1970-72), Cleveland … Continue reading Obituary: Jerry Johnson (1943-2021)
RIP to infielder Rennie Stennett, who is probably best remembered for a record-setting 7-for-7 game in 1975. However, it shouldn’t be overlooked that he was a quality second baseman for more than a decade and won a couple of World Series championships. He died of cancer on May 18 at the age of 72. Stennett … Continue reading Obituary: Rennie Stennett (1949-2021)
RIP to Del Crandall, an 11-time All-Star, a 4-time Gold Glove catcher, and the last surviving member of the Boston Braves organization. He died on May 5 in Mission Viejo, Cal., at the age of 91. He had been suffering from Parkinson's disease and, as of this 2020 article, was living in an assisted living … Continue reading Obituary: Del Crandall (1930-2021)
RIP to Ken Reitz, a Gold Glove third baseman who played for 11 seasons in the majors. He died unexpectedly on March 31 at his home in St. Charles, Mo., at the age of 69. No cause of death has been discovered yet, though foul play had been ruled out. Brett Reitz, his son, issued … Continue reading Obituary: Ken Reitz (1951-2021)
RIP to Joe Altobelli, World Series-winning manager and, briefly, a major-leaguer in the 1950s and '60s. He was also one of the most beloved baseball figures in Rochester, N.Y. The Rochester Red Wings, on behalf of his family, announced that Altobelli died on March 3 at the age of 88 from natural causes. As a … Continue reading Obituary: Joe Altobelli (1932-2021)
RIP to Mike Sadek, a long-time backup catcher and a part of the Giants front office for many years. He died following a short illness in San Andreas, Calif., on January 20, at the age of 74. Sadek played for the San Francisco Giants in 1973 and from 1975-81. Michael George Sadek was born in … Continue reading Obituary: Mike Sadek (1946-2021)
RIP Baseball 