Here lies Henry Diddlebock, a long-time Philadelphia sportswriter and minor-league baseball executive. He also served as a manager for the St. Louis Browns, though the experiment of using a sportswriter as a manager lasted for all of 17 games in 1896. Henry Harrison Diddlebock was born in Philadelphia on June 27, 1854. His parents, Henry … Continue reading Grave Story: Henry Diddlebock (1854-1900)
RIP to Johnny Groth, a good-hitting outfielder who played for 15 years in the majors following the end of World War II. He died on August 7 in his oceanfront condominium in Palm Beach, Fla. He was 95 years old and is survived by his wife of 72 years, Betty, and 11 children. Groth played … Continue reading Obituary: Johnny Groth (1926-2021)
Here lies outfielder/pitcher Pat Hynes, another one of baseball's forgotten tragic tales. His major-league career lasted just two years, as he was shot to death in a barroom fight on his 23rd birthday. Hynes played for the St. Louis Cardinals (1903) and St. Louis Browns (1904). Patrick J. Hynes was born in St. Louis on … Continue reading Grave Story: Pat Hynes (1884-1907)
RIP to Al Naples, who was one of the last surviving members of the St. Louis Browns. He died on February 26 at the age of 94. No cause of death was given, but his SABR bio, written in 2019, noted that he had beaten leukemia in the 1990s and was battling it again as … Continue reading Obituary: Al Naples (1926-2021)
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 J.W. "Jay" Porter, a backup catcher who was one of the last surviving players from two defunct ballclubs. He died on October 11 at the Jupiter Medical Center in Jupiter, Fla., after a long illness. He was 87 years old. Porter played for the St. Louis Browns (1952), Detroit Tigers (1955-57), Cleveland Indians … Continue reading Obituary: J.W. Porter (1933-2020)
Here lies Charles Comiskey, one of the pioneers of baseball and a founder of the American League. Unfortunately, his legacy in the game has been tarnished, as his (inaccurate) portrayal as the miserly owner of the Chicago White Sox has been tied to the Black Sox scandal of the 1919 World Series. What is true … Continue reading Grave Story: Charles Comiskey (1859-1931)
Here lies Gustave Gruner, who for a brief time was a baseball owner. How brief? About three days in 1899. Still, that’s enough to make Gruner a part of the St. Louis Cardinals ownership chain. Gustave Adolph Gruner was born on December 3, 1847 in Ittlingen in Baden-Württemberg, Germany. He and his family emigrated to … Continue reading Grave Story: Gustave Gruner (1847-1909)
Here lies Cliff Carroll, a speedy outfielder from the 19th Century. He was also the victim of one of the greatest wardrobe malfunctions in baseball history. Carroll played for the Providence Grays (1882-85), Washington Nationals (1886-87), Pittsburgh Alleghenys (1888), Chicago Colts (1890-91). St. Louis Browns (1892) and Boston Beaneaters (1893). Samuel Clifford Carroll was born … Continue reading Grave Story: Cliff Carroll (1859-1923)
Here lies Urban Shocker, a renowned spitball pitcher who was one of the top pitchers on the famed ’27 Yankees “Murderers Row” team. He did that while suffering from a heart ailment that would kill him less than a year later. Shocker pitched for the New York Yankees (1916-17, 1925-28) and St. Louis Browns (1918-24). … Continue reading Grave Story: Urban Shocker (1890-1928)
RIP Baseball 