Looking at the Game of Baseball from all ends of the Spectrum
(AP Photo) CBS 2 has a tribute to Thurman Munson whose fatal plane crash was 28 years ago today. It includes a video of an interview of Munson. On personal note, my buddy Brando and I did a APBA replay of the 1979 baseball season. When August 2 rolled around, it was a somber reminder the Yanks … Continue reading “Thurman Munson August 2, 1979”
(AP Photo)
CBS 2 has a tribute to Thurman Munson whose fatal plane crash was 28 years ago today. It includes a video of an interview of Munson.
On personal note, my buddy Brando and I did a APBA replay of the 1979 baseball season. When August 2 rolled around, it was a somber reminder the Yanks no longer had Munson’s services. Kinda put some perspective on things.
Rollie Stiles, known to be the oldest former big league player died on Sunday. Stiles’ MLB stats for his 3 year career My first thought after reading this was… Who is the oldest now? (hat tip, Baseball Musings) Update: Wikipedia has the (now updated) list of 31 oldest living MLB players. Right now, 99-year Billy … Continue reading “Oldest ex-MLB player Stiles passes”
Rollie Stiles, known to be the oldest former big league player died on Sunday.
Stiles’ MLB stats for his 3 year career
My first thought after reading this was… Who is the oldest now?
(hat tip, Baseball Musings)
Update: Wikipedia has the (now updated) list of 31 oldest living MLB players. Right now, 99-year Billy Werber tops the list.
Werber played 1295 games from 1930 to 1942 and played for the Yankees, Red Sox, Athletics, Reds, and Giants.
Mr Rod Beck, intense reliever yet laid back teammate, is dead at 38. The Shooter signing autographs at the 2007 Cubs Convention I saw the Shooter at this year’s Cubs Convention. Out of all the old-timers signing autographs on the lower level, Rod Beck was one of the more popular ones with the fans. He … Continue reading “Rod Beck no longer Shooting”
Mr Rod Beck, intense reliever yet laid back teammate, is dead at 38.
The Shooter signing autographs at the 2007 Cubs Convention
I saw the Shooter at this year’s Cubs Convention. Out of all the old-timers signing autographs on the lower level, Rod Beck was one of the more popular ones with the fans. He had a friendly way with those waiting in line. With his signature handlebar mustache and longish hair, he stood out.
His cause of death is unknown and is pending an autopsy. I’m not holding my breath and quite honestly, you probably won’t hear about the results here. The results probably won’t be surprising.
That said, Beck’s persona was one of a kind. A pitcher who camps out in an RV beyond a minor league scoreboard is bound to have a little color.
But let’s not forget that the Shooter was once one helluva a pitcher. Yes, he had 286 career saves but he had incredible control too.
In 1994, when he had 48 saves for the Giants, he came in 8th in the Cy Young voting. Cubs fans will remember his 1998 season when they made the playoffs. That year he recorded 51 saves, his career high.
Eddie Feigner, aka “The King” passed away Friday. Funny, someone at work was just telling me about this guy a couple weeks ago. Apparently, he saw Feigner and his team in action way back when. It was quite a show to hear him tell it. From the AP article: “With a fastball once clocked at … Continue reading “The Court is without its King”
Eddie Feigner, aka “The King” passed away Friday.
Funny, someone at work was just telling me about this guy a couple weeks ago. Apparently, he saw Feigner and his team in action way back when. It was quite a show to hear him tell it.
From the AP article:
“With a fastball once clocked at 104 mph, The King threw 930 no-hitters, 238 perfect games and struck out 141,517 batters while playing more than 10,000 games. He was inducted into the National Senior Softball Hall of Fame in 2000.
Feigner not only pitched from the standard mound, 46 feet from home plate, but also from second base, behind his back, on his knees, between his legs, from center field and blindfolded. In a nationally televised exhibition against major leaguers at Dodger Stadium in 1964, he struck out Willie Mays, Willie McCovey, Maury Wills, Harmon Killebrew, Roberto Clemente and Brooks Robinson in order. “
One of my favorite people in baseball has died. Former MLB umpire Eric Gregg known for his big personality, big strike zone, and big size died of a massive stroke at age 55. Gregg was among 22 umpires who lost their jobs in 1999 when their labor plan of a mass resignation backfired. I remember … Continue reading “YER OUTTA HERE!!!”
One of my favorite people in baseball has died. Former MLB umpire Eric Gregg known for his big personality, big strike zone, and big size died of a massive stroke at age 55. Gregg was among 22 umpires who lost their jobs in 1999 when their labor plan of a mass resignation backfired.
I remember going to see the Cubs with a loud mouth friend of mine nicknamed the Madman. It was a hot day and the secondbase umpire needed to retire to the dugout. Madman yells out to Gregg who was umping 3rd, “Eric, what’d you do with the 2nd base umpire, eat him?” Eric Gregg doubled over laughing.
A couple of years ago we met the clubhouse man in Pittsburgh. He started telling us what Eric Gregg would eat, a tremendous amount of food. This guy said Gregg’s appetite for the ladies matched his zest for life.
He lived life large and I know he’ll be missed.
Joe Bauman passed away today. Fans will know that this name belongs to the minor league home run record holder who banged 72 dingers in 1954 for the Roswell Rockets of the Longhorn League. He was 83. Bauman won the Triple Crown that year. Along with his 72 homers, he batted .400 with 224 rbis. … Continue reading “No Minor Loss- Joe Bauman”
Joe Bauman passed away today. Fans will know that this name belongs to the minor league home run record holder who banged 72 dingers in 1954 for the Roswell Rockets of the Longhorn League. He was 83.
Bauman won the Triple Crown that year. Along with his 72 homers, he batted .400 with 224 rbis. He also led the league with 150 walks.
Here are some of his career stats:
| Games | 1019 |
| Batting Average | .337 |
| Homeruns | 337 |
| RBIs | 1057 |