Thursday, August 23, 2018

RIP - Doc Edwards


1960s' catcher Doc Edwards (who later managed the Cleveland Indians from 1987-89) passed away on August 20, 2018 at age 81.


Edwards' career included stops with the Indians, Athletics, and Yankees. Although mostly a backup catcher, Doc was the Athletics' primary starting catcher in 1963 and 1964, even though he played less than half of the games (due to having 4 catchers).

I first became aware of Edwards when he was the bullpen coach for the Phillies from 1970-72. Doc had been catching for the Phillies' AAA teams in '68 and '69, then was named to new manager Frank Lucchesi's staff in 1970.

In one early-season game that year, both Phillies' catchers (Tim McCarver and Mike Ryan) broke their hands in the SAME INNING. The team recalled their 2 AAA backstops the next day, and at some point activated Edwards, who appeared in 35 games, five seasons after his last big-league action.

In 1973 he began his 33-year managing career, which although was mostly in the minors, he did pilot the Indians from 1987-89.

Cleveland.com obituary

Washington Post obituary

Monday, August 13, 2018

RIP - John Kennedy


Former Red Sox', Dodgers', and Senators' 3rd baseman John Kennedy passed away on August 9, 2018 at age 77.


Kennedy broke in with the Washington Senators in September 1962, also playing there for part of 1963. His only year as a full-time regular was 1964 with the Senators.

After that season, he was traded to the Dodgers in the Frank Howard deal. He played 2 years in LA, and 1 season with the Yankees, then spent all of 1968 in the minors.

Kennedy resurfaced in 1969 with the Seattle Pilots, and played part of 1970 with the Brewers. He played his last 4 1/2 seasons with the Red Sox, retiring after the 1974 season.

ItemLive.com obituary

The Salem News obituary

SABR biography

Wednesday, August 8, 2018

RIP - Don Mason


Former Giants and Padres backup 2nd baseman Don Mason passed away on June 19, 2018 at age 73.


Mason played minor-league ball for the Senators, Giants, and Padres from 1964 to 1974.

He also played for the Giants briefly from 1966-68, and for all of 1969 and 1970.

Traded to the Padres after the 1970 season, he played a full season with San Diego in 1971, but was up and down for the next 2 seasons.

The majority of his big-league playing time came in 1969 and 1971.

Cape Cod Times obituary
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Sunday, August 5, 2018

RIP - Johnny Lewis


1960s' Mets outfielder Johnny Lewis passed away on July 29, 2018 at age 78.


Lewis played minor-league ball for the Cardinals (1959-64), Mets (1966-67), and Phillies (1968). He played in the majors for the Cardinals in 1964, and for the Mets from 1965-67.

His big break came before the 1965 season, when the Cardinals traded him to the Mets for pitcher Tracy Stallard. 1965 was his only full season in the majors, and the only time he was a regular starter. He started 126 games that season, and appeared in 22 others.

After his playing career, Lewis coached for the Cardinals from 1973-89.

Pensacola News Journal obituary

Wednesday, August 1, 2018

RIP - Tony Cloninger


Former Braves' pitching ace Tony Cloninger passed away on July 24, 2018 at age 77.


Cloninger was the Braves' ace for the few years between the Warren Spahn and Phil Niekro eras, but may be most remembered for hitting 2 grand slams in the same game on July 3, 1966.

He played for the Braves from 1961-68, then was traded to the Reds in the June 1968 deal that sent Milt Pappas to the Braves. After 3 1/2 seasons with the Reds, Cloninger pitched briefly for the Cardinals in 1972.

After his playing career, Cloninger coached for the Yankees for 9 seasons during the Joe Torre regime, and then worked for the Red Sox for the past 15 years.

New York Times obituary

WLOS-13 obituary
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