RIP to Don Leppert, an All-Star catcher who played for 4 seasons in the majors in the 1960s. He died on April 13 in Delaware, Ohio. He was 91 years old. He is also not to be confused with baseball's other Don Leppert, who played for the 1955 Orioles and who died in 2021. This … Continue reading Obituary: Don G. Leppert (1931-2023)
RIP to catcher Hobie Landrith, who played for seven teams in a 14-year major-league career. In his time, he was known for being one of the smallest catchers in baseball and for having one of the biggest voices. The New York Mets announced his death on April 6; he was 93 years old. Landrith played … Continue reading Obituary: Hobie Landrith (1930-2023)
RIP to Albie Pearson, an All-Star outfielder and the 1958 American League Rookie of the Year. He died on February 22 at the age of 88. Pearson, who was sometimes called "The Littlest Angel" for his diminutive size, played for the Washington Senators (1958-59), Baltimore Orioles (1959-60) and Los Angeles Angels (1961-66). Albert Gregory Pearson … Continue reading Obituary: Albie Pearson (1934-2023)
RIP to outfielder Fred Valentine, who played for seven seasons in the American League in the 1950s and 1960s. He also took part in the desegregation of the minor leagues, as the color barriers in professional baseball leagues and teams across the United States fell. Valentine died on December 26 at the age of 87. … Continue reading Obituary: Fred Valentine (1935-2022)
RIP to Rudy Hernández, the first native Dominican pitcher to appear in the American or National League. His family reported that he died on Wednesday, November 23, in Condado, Puerto Rico, at the age of 90. Hernández also holds a rare distinction of playing for two different Washington Senators franchises in consecutive seasons. He played … Continue reading Obituary: Rudy Hernández (1931-2022)
RIP to Ray Rippelmeyer, whose 11-year pitching career included time spent with the Washington Senators in 1963. He also spent much of the 1970s as the pitching coach of the Philadelphia Phillies. Rippelmeyer died on September 9 in Waterloo, Ill. He was 89 years old. Raymond Roy Rippelmeyer was born in Valmeyer, Ill., on July … Continue reading Obituary: Ray Rippelmeyer (1933-2022)
RIP to Pete Burnside, who pitched for four different teams over 8 seasons in the 1950s and '60s. He died on August 26 at the age of 92, with his family by his side. He was married to his wife, Suzette, for 58 years, and they had three children -- Beth, Jim and John. Burnside … Continue reading Obituary: Pete Burnside (1930-2022)
Here lies Merrill Combs, an infielder who played about a season’s worth of major-league games spread out across five years and three teams. Combs played for the Boston Red Sox (1947, 1949-50), Washington Senators (1950) and Cleveland Indians (1951-52). Merrill Russell Combs was born in Los Angeles on December 11, 1919. He is listed on … Continue reading Grave Story: Merrill Combs (1919-1981)
RIP to pitcher Jim Bronstad, who spent parts of three seasons in the major leagues in the 1950s and '60s. He died in his sleep on April 9, at the age of 85. Bronstad played for the New York Yankees (1959) and Washington Senators (1963-64). James Warren Bronstad was born in Fort Worth on June … Continue reading Obituary: Jim Bronstad (1936-2022)
Bert Shepard only pitched in one major league game. The fact that he ever made it that far – the fact that he lived to make it to a pitcher’s mound – is one of baseball’s most inspiring stories. Shepard played his one game with the Washington Senators in 1945, after being shot down in … Continue reading Grave Story: Bert Shepard (1920-2008)
RIP Baseball 