Monday, October 26, 2015

RIP - John Tsitouris


Former Athletics' and Reds' pitcher John Tsitouris passed away on October 22, 2015 in his hometown of Monroe, NC at age 79.


Tsitouris played pro ball from 1954 to 1968, and was in the majors for at least parts of  every season from 1957 to 1968 (except 1961).

After breaking in with the Tigers in 1957, he played part of '58 and '59, and all of 1960 with the Kansas City Athletics. Traded to the Reds for pitcher Joe Nuxhall, John spent the entire 1961 season in the minors, then played for the Reds from 1962-68, with most of that work coming in the 1963-65 seasons. He retired after the 1968 season.

Coincidentally, I was just reading through his SABR biography a few days ago (it may have been on the date of his death, but I don't remember).

Charlotte (NC) Observer obituary

SABR biography
 

Tuesday, October 13, 2015

RIP - Dean Chance


Former Angels' and Twins' pitcher Dean Chance passed away in his hometown of Wooster, OH on October 11, 2015 at age 74.

Chance pitched for 11 seasons (1961-71), and led the AL in wins, ERA, complete games, and shutouts in 1964. He also won the the Cy Young Award that season, at age 23 the youngest winner up to that time.


A member of the 1961 expansion Angels, he threw out the first pitch in the Angels' 50th Anniversary game in 2011, and was inducted into the Angels Hall of Fame in August 2015.

 LA Times obituary

Minneapolis Star-Tribune obituary

NY Times obituary

 

Monday, October 5, 2015

1960s Blog Hall of Fame (#7)


It's time for another 1960s Blog Hall of Fame Election.



Last year, Whitey Ford and Warren Spahn were inducted, joining the other 23 members in the Hall. Four players received less than 15% of the vote and were dropped from the ballot, leaving 10 returning candidates this time:

Jim Bunning
Rod Carew
Orlando Cepeda
Frank Howard
Ferguson Jenkins
Roger Maris
Eddie Mathews
Boog Powell
Ron Santo
Billy Williams

Added to the ballot this time are 2nd baseman Bill Mazeroski (who missed the cut on the inaugural ballot) and outfielder Rocky Colavito.

^------ Use the sidebar poll to vote for up to 6 of the 12 people. The poll will close on Oct 31st.

Here is the voting history for all the current candidates:

Click on the "hall of fame ballot" label below to see the results of all previous elections.

Saturday, October 3, 2015

RIP - Tom Kelley


Former Indians' and Braves' pitcher Tom Kelley passed away on September 25, 2015 at age 71.


Kelley was a reliever for the Indians from 1964-67 (with '66 as his only full-season), then after 3 seasons in the minors, he resurfaced as a starting pitcher for the Braves from 1971-73. After 3 more seasons in the minors, he retired after the 1976 season.

He was inducted into his hometown Manchester Connecticut Sports Hall of Fame in 1987.

Obituary