Here lies Cory Lidle, a starting pitcher for seven teams over a 9-year career in the 1990s and 2000s. His final career appearance came in the playoffs, shortly before his tragic death in a plane crash. Lidle played for the New York Mets (1997), Tampa Bay Devil Rays (1999-2000), Oakland Athletics (2001-2002), Toronto Blue Jays … Continue reading Grave Story: Cory Lidle (1972-2006)
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 pitcher Chuck Hartenstein, a college star who went on to have a 6-year career in the majors. He died on October 2 at the age of 79. Hartenstein played for the Chicago Cubs (1965-68), Pittsburgh Pirates (1969-70), St. Louis Cardinals (1970), Boston Red Sox (1970) and Toronto Blue Jays (1977). Charles Oscar Hartenstein … Continue reading Obituary: Chuck Hartenstein (1942-2021)
RIP to Hall of Famer Phil Niekro, one of the best knuckleball pitchers in baseball history and a 300-game winner. He died in his sleep on December 26 at the age of 81 after battling cancer the last few years of his life. No place of death was immediately available, but he lived in Flowery … Continue reading Obituary: Phil Niekro (1939-2020)
RIP to Rich Hacker, who played one season in the major leagues before embarking on a substantial career as a minor-league manager and major-league coach. He died on April 22 at the age of 72. He had been diagnosed with leukemia 15 months ago and died in Fairview Heights, Ill. Hacker played for the 1971 … Continue reading Obituary: Rich Hacker (1947-2020)
RIP to Damaso Garcia, an All-Star second baseman who played for 11 seasons in the major leagues. He died on April 15 at the age of 63 in the Dominican Republic. No cause of death was given; however, Garcia had a malignant brain tumor removed 29 years ago, and the surgery had affected his mobility … Continue reading Obituary: Damaso Garcia (1957-2020)
RIP to Ted Cox, a former First Round draft pick who had quite possibly one of the best starts to a career in baseball history. He died on March 11, 2020 at the age of 65. Cox, a designated hitter, third baseman and outfielder, played for the Boston Red Sox (1977), Cleveland Indians (1978-79), Seattle … Continue reading Obituary: Ted Cox (1955-2020)
RIP to Tony Fernández, an All-Star and Gold Glove infielder with a 17-year career in the majors. He died on February 15 at the age of 57 after suffering from chronic kidney problems, a recent bout with pneumonia and a stroke. Fernandez, who announced in 2017 that he had Polycistic Kidney Disease, was placed in … Continue reading Obituary: Tony Fernández (1962-2020)
RIP to Ron Fairly, who over the course of a nearly 50-year baseball career was an All-Star, a World Series champ, an announcer and an author. He died in Indian Wells, Calif., on October 30 at the age of 81. His death, from pancreatic cancer, was announced by the Seattle Mariners, for whom Fairly had … Continue reading Obituary: Ron Fairly (1938-2019)
RIP Baseball 