RIP to Wayne Terwilliger, one of the longest-tenured baseball lifers in the history of the game. Between his career as a player, coach and manager, he spent more than 60 years as an on-field part of professional baseball. He died on February 3 in Weatherford, Texas, at the age of 95. He had been in … Continue reading Obituary: Wayne Terwilliger (1925-2021)
RIP to Ron Samford, an infielder for parts of four seasons in the major leagues in the 1950s. He died on January 14 at the age of 90 in Dallas, with his children by his side. Samford played for the New York Giants (1954), Detroit Tigers (1955, 1957) and Washington Senators (1959). His younger brother, … Continue reading Obituary: Ron Samford (1930-2021)
RIP to Julio Becquer, a native Cuban who was a pinch-hitting specialist and part of the very first Minnesota Twins team. He died on November 1 at an assisted care facility in Hastings, Minn. He was 88 years old. Becquer played for the Washington Senators (1955, 1957-60), Los Angeles Angels (1961) and Minnesota Twins (1961, … Continue reading Obituary: Julio Becquer (1931-2020)
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)
RIP to Ed FitzGerald, who had a 12-year career as a backup catcher in the 1940s and '50s. He died on June 14 at the age of 96. FitzGerald played for the Pittsburgh Pirates (1948-53), Washington Senators (1953-59) and Cleveland Indians (1959). The surname is a bit unusual, as most players with his last name … Continue reading Obituary: Ed FitzGerald (1924-2020)
RIP to Mike McCormick, an All-Star pitcher and the first Cy Young Award winner in Giants history. He died on June 13 at his home in Cornelius, N.C. He was 81 years old and had been battling Parkinson's disease for several years. McCormick played for the New York/San Francisco Giants (1956-62, 1967-70), Baltimore Orioles (1963-64), … Continue reading Obituary: Mike McCormick (1938-2020)
RIP to Ken Retzer, a catcher for four seasons in the early 1960s. He died on May 17 at his home in Sun City, Ariz. He was 86 years old. Retzer played for the Washington Senators from 1961-64. Ken Retzer was born on April 30, 1934, in Wood River, Ill., which is right on the … Continue reading Obituary: Ken Retzer (1934-2020)
Here lies Joe Kuhel, a slugging first baseman who had an 18-year career as a player and a couple years as a manager. Kuhel played for the Washington Senators (1930-37, 1944-46) and Chicago White Sox (1938-43, 1946-47). Joe Kuhel was born in Cleveland on June 25, 1906. A story about him from 1932 said that … Continue reading Grave Story: Joe Kuhel (1906-1984)
RIP to Dick Hyde, a relief pitcher whose best season earned him the AL Sophomore of the Year Award. He died on April 15, 2020 at Bickford of Champaign Memory Care in Champaign, Ill. He was 91 years old. Hyde pitched for the Washington Senators (1955, 1957-60) and Baltimore Orioles (1961). Dick Hyde was born … Continue reading Obituary: Dick Hyde (1928-2020)
Here lies Steve Sundra, who had a pretty up-and-down career as a pitcher — except for the season when he was almost perfect. Sundra pitched for the New York Yankees (1936, 1938-40), Washington Senators (1941-42) and St. Louis Browns (1942-44, 1946). Steve Sundra was born in Luxor, Pa., on March 27, 1910. He had a … Continue reading Grave Story: Steve Sundra (1910-1952)
