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)
Here lies Benny Zientara, who played in the majors briefly before embarking on a long scouting career. Zientara played for the Cincinnati Reds in 1941 and from 1946-48 – he spent 1942-45 in the military. Benedict Joseph Zientara was born in Chicago on Valentine’s Day – February 14, 1918. Both his parents, Walenty (whose Americanized … Continue reading Grave Story: Benny Zientara (1918-1985)
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)
Here lies Marv Felderman, whose major-league career lasted for three games with the Chicago Cubs in 1942. His minor-league career lasted a good bit longer than that, and his military career had some athletic highlights as well. Marvin Wilfred Felderman was born in Bellevue, Iowa, on December 20, 1915. He was nicknamed “Coonie,” which was … Continue reading Grave Story: Marvin Felderman (1915-2000)
Here lies Cecil Garriott, whose 17 years in professional baseball included a cup of coffee with the Chicago Cubs in 1946. Though if it wasn’t for an enlistment into the Army at the worst possible moment, he might have been a key player on one of the most memorable Cubs teams ever. Virgil Cecil Garriott … Continue reading Grave Story: Cecil Garriott (1916-1990)
RIP Baseball 