Monday, March 21, 2016

RIP - Bill Whitby


1960s Twins' prospect Bill Whitby passed away on March 12, 2016 at age 72.


Whitby appeared in 4 games for the Twins in June 1964. He was a starting pitcher in the Twins' system from 1961-69, and finished up with the Senators' AAA team in 1970.

 Charlotte, NC obituary

Whitby story from The Baseball Historian
 

Friday, March 4, 2016

Phillies Stadiums of Old


Who's up for a change of pace from obituaries? I know I am.

Here are 2 of my 3 Danbury Mint models that I unearthed recently. Years ago my uncle gave me one of Yankee Stadium, then I later bought these two.


Connie Mack Stadium (? - 1970): 

I went to my first Phillies game in May 1967, sitting in the upper deck bleachers in deep center field (just to the left of the flag in the 2nd photo). They were playing the Reds that day.

This model sizes the center field scoreboard incorrectly. I recall that it was taller than the outfield wall.



Veterans Stadium (1971-2003): 

My brother and I went to the first-ever game at Veterans Stadium in April 1971, sitting high in the 700-level in right field.

This model shows the Vet in later years, with the original levels of brown, tan, orange, and yellow seats (which you can see in this 1973 Ron Stone card) replaced by all blue seats.  Also new are the external towers with elevators to the retrofitted luxury boxes, and the 2 jumbo screens in center field.

Thursday, March 3, 2016

RIP - Kevin Collins


Former MLB 3rd baseman Kevin Collins passed away on February 20, 2016 at age 69.


Collins played a few games with the Mets in 1965 and 1967, then was recalled to the Mets in late-May 1968 and spent the remainder of that season sharing the 3rd base job with the veteran Ed Charles.

He began the Miracle Mets' 1969 season with New York, but in mid-June was traded to the Expos (along with pitcher Steve Renko) for 1st baseman Donn Clendenon. (Clendenon went on to the the World Series' MVP that year.) Collins spent his final 2 seasons (1970-71) playing for the Tigers.



The Mets Baseball Cards Like They Ought To Be blog broke the news of Collins' passing 2 days later, but it was a full week until it was acknowledged by Baseball-Reference.com.

I still can't find any online obituaries for Collins.
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