RIP to Tom Jordan, a former catcher who at the time of his death was the oldest living major-league ballplayer. He died on August 27 of a heart attack, according to his obituary on Forbes, at the age of 99. He was 10 days away from his 100th birthday. Jordan played for the Chicago White … Continue reading Obituary: Tom Jordan (1919-2019)
Here lies Leonidas Lee, who played 4 games for the 1877 St. Louis Brown Stockings. He never appeared in any other professional baseball league, so you might think that there’s not much to his story. Actually, one of the reasons that I enjoy the baseball research of this particular hobby is tracking down interesting people … Continue reading Grave Story: Leonidas Lee (1860-1912)
Here lies Wib Smith, who had a brief career as a catcher in the major leagues before enjoying a successful career in the minor leagues in Minnesota. Smith played 17 games for the St. Louis Browns in 1909. Wilbur Smith was born on August 30, 1886, in Evart, Mich. According to census data, his parents … Continue reading Grave Story: Wib Smith (1886-1959)
Here lies Jimmy Williams, a triples-hitting machine in the majors and an outstanding second baseman for the Minneapolis Millers after his MLB career was done. His quick thinking averted a potential baseball tragedy. He played for the Pittsburgh Pirates (1899-1900), Baltimore Orioles (1901-1902), New York Yankees (1903-1907) and St. Louis Browns (1908-1909). Jimmy Williams was … Continue reading Grave Story: Jimmy Williams (1876-1965)
Here lies Claude Jonnard, one-half of the Jonnard twins that played in the 1920s and ‘30s. He was the older of the two, having been born an hour ahead of his brother, Clarence. Claude pitched for the New York Giants (1921-24), St. Louis Browns (1926) and Chicago Cubs (1929). The Jonnard boys were born in … Continue reading Grave Story: Claude Jonnard (1897-1959)
Here lies Sled Allen, a backup catcher for the St. Louis Browns in 1910. This is one of my most favorite baseball stories ever, because it shows you what you miss if you never look outside of a player's career. If you only pay attention to his playing career, you see he played in the … Continue reading Grave Story: Sled Allen (1886-1959)
LOST--ONE BASEBALL PLAYER: PITCHER by inclination; apparently sound in wind and limb, and answers to the name of "Rube." Address all communications to Connie Mack, manager Philadelphia American League ball club, present keeper.The Inter Ocean (Chicago, Ill.), August 10, 1902. Here lies Rube Waddell, one of the most dominating pitchers in the game — when … Continue reading Grave Story: Rube Waddell (1876-1914)
Here lies Spencer Adams, an infielder who played for four different teams in his four-year career. Despite his short time in the majors, he managed to appear in two World Series, roomed with Lou Gehrig and was teammates with some of the most famous ballplayers of the era. Adams played for the Pittsburgh Pirates (1923), … Continue reading Grave Story: Spencer Adams (1898-1970)
Here lies Alva Lee “Bobo” Holloman, who is the only pitcher in baseball’s Modern Era to throw a no-hitter in his first major-league start. He also has one of the shortest careers of any pitcher who threw a no-no. Holloman pitched 22 games for the St. Louis Browns in 1953. The fun thing about no-hitters … Continue reading Grave Story: Bobo Holloman (1923-1987)
Here lies Fred Sanford, who was an early victim of the New York sports media and the pressure placed on Yankees players. Sanford pitched for the St. Louis Browns (1943, 1947-48, 1951), New York Yankees (1949-51) and Washington Senators (1951). John Frederick Sanford was born in Garfield, Utah on August 9, 1919. Described in an … Continue reading Grave Story: Fred Sanford (1919-2011)
