Monday, May 27, 2019

RIP - Bill Buckner


Bill Buckner, a 1B-OF for the Dodgers, Cubs, and Red Sox, passed away on May 27, 2019 at age 69.


Buckner was a 4-decade player by virtue of his one pinch-hitting appearance on 9/21/69. (His next game was the following April.) He played until the end of May 1990.

Buckner played for the Dodgers (1969-76), Cubs (1977-84), and Red Sox (1984-87), then moved around to 3 other teams (Angels, Royals, Red Sox) in his final 2 1/2 seasons.

He was an All-Star in 1981, and led the NL in batting in 1980 with a .324 average. He also topped .300 six other times and hit .299 another year. Buckner also had 100+ RBI in '82, '85, and '86.

Despite all that hitting prowess, the first thing most people remember is his defensive miscue in the 1986 World Series.

After his playing career, Buckner moved to Idaho and entered the real estate business.

LA Times obituary

CNN obituary

Thursday, May 23, 2019

RIP - Barry Latman


Barry Latman, who pitched for the White Sox, Indians, Angels, and Astros from 1957 to 1967, passed away on April 28, 2019 at age 82.


Latman's longest stay with one team was with the Indians from 1960-63. In 1961 he won a career-best 13 games and made his only All-Star team.

In December 1963 he was traded to the Los Angeles Angels with 1st baseman Joe Adcock for slugging outfielder Leon Wagner.

(no obituary found)

Another blog notice

SABR biography
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Thursday, May 2, 2019

RIP - Gene Stephens


Gene Stephens, an outfielder for the Red Sox and others, passed away on April 27, 2019 at age 86.


Stephens played for the Red Sox from 1952-53 and 1955-60, then made brief stops with the Orioles, Athletics, and White Sox from 1960 to 1964.

Gene was primarily a left fielder, playing there for much of 1953 while Ted Williams was over in Korea. He was Williams' backup from 1955-59.

Stephens was the only player in the 1900s to have 3 hits in the same inning, accomplishing that in 1953. (Johnny Damon matched that record in 2003.)

Obituary