RIP - Oscar Gamble

Well-traveled outfielder Oscar Gamble passed away today, January 31, 2018 at age 68.

Gamble began his career in the Cubs organization, and was acquired by the Phillies prior to 1970 for Johnny Callison. After 3 seasons as a part-time outfielder with the Phillies, he moved on to Indians, where he was an every-day player from 1973-75.

After quick stops with the Yankees, Padres, White Sox, and Rangers, Gamble returned to the Bronx for his longest stay anywhere (1979-84).

He wrapped up his career in 1985 with the White Sox. Gamble played for 7 teams over his 17-year career.

NY Daily News obituary

Chicago Sun-Times obituary
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RIP - Julio Navarro

Julio Navarro, who pitched for the Angels and Tigers in the 1960s, passed away on January 24, 2018 at age 82.

Navarro pitched in the Giants' farm system from 1955 to 1962, then played for the Angels from 1962-64, and the Tigers from 1964-66.

His best season was 1963, when he saved 12 games in 57 appearances as the Angels' closer.

Oddly enough, Baseball-Reference.com shows his 1966 ERA as "infinity", because he gave up 3 earned runs in zero innings in the only game he pitched that season.

Navarro closed out his career with 5 years for the Braves' AAA Richmond team (1967-71), along with 17 games pitched for Atlanta in 1970.

Baseball Happenings blog obituary
 

RIP - Bob Barton

Former Giants' and Padres' catcher Bob Barton passed away on January 15, 2018 at age 76.

Barton began his career with the Giants, backing up first Tom Haller, then Dick Dietz.

He played for the Padres from 1970 to 1972, and had his only season as a regular player in 1971 (playing 121 games). That apparently spawned this somewhat dubious "In Action" card:

Bob missed most of the 1973 season, playing only 3 games for the Reds, then finished his career in 1974 back with the Padres.

San Diego Union-Tribune obituary
 

Stars of the 1960s: Brooks Robinson

7th in a series...

Wow! I haven't had a "Stars of the 1960s" post since last March, so let's revisit the Orioles:

Here are my 4 oldest Brooks' cards. (Actually, the 1967 card is the newest to me, as I only got it 2 years ago.)  In hindsight, I wasn't missing much all those 49 years, since I already had the "reprint" that Topps apparently issued in their 1969 set! :/

Brooks played for 23 seasons - all with the Orioles.  I just recently posted Ed Kranepool's card on my 1966 blog, where I realized he played 18 seasons - all with the Mets.  Sometime I will have to do a study of players from the 1960s who played more than 10 seasons and all with the same team.  (I can only think of Mantle, Gibson, and Yaz off the top of my head.)

Anyway, back to B Robby:  He was an All-Star for 15 consecutive seasons, and won 16 consecutive Gold Glove awards. Surprisingly (to me anyway) he led the AL with 118 RBI in 1964, and was the MVP that year.

RIP - Bob Bailey

Former Pirates, Dodgers, and Expos 3rd baseman Bob Bailey passed away on January 9, 2018 at age 75.

Bailey played for 17 seasons: 1962-66 with the Pirates, 1967-68 with the Dodgers (exchanged for Maury Wills), and 1969-75 with the Expos. He also played briefly with the Reds and Red Sox from 1976-78.

After his playing career, he was a hitting instructor and minor-league manager from 1979-87.

Montreal Gazette obituary

Dodgers Insider obituary

Long Beach Press-Telegram obituary
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2017 Re-cap

And so, another year is in the books. Here are the players I blogged about in 2017 (not including posts with multiple players):

                        1960s' players who left us in 2017:

            Also: Bob Sadowski (INF), Bob Cerv, Bob Perry, Jerry Kindall.


And from outside the baseball world:

William Christopher (12/31/16)
Buddy Greco
Tony Rosato
Gene Cernan
Mary Tyler Moore
Mike Connors
Irwin Corey
Richard Hatch
Al Jarreau
Bill Paxton
Joseph Wapner
Robert Osborne
Chuck Berry
Chuck Barris
Don Rickles
J. Geils
Erin Moran
Daliah Lavi
Dina Merrill
Roger Moore
Gregg Allman
Roger Smith
Manuel Noriega
Adam West
Anita Pallenberg
Bill Dana
Babe Parilli
Martin Landau
June Foray
Sam Shepard
Ara Parseghian
Ty Hardin
Glen Campbell
Joseph Bologna
Jerry Lewis
Rollie Massimino
Richard Anderson
Bernie Casey
Jake LaMotta
Hugh Hefner
Monty Hall
Tom Petty
Fats Domino
Robert Guillaume
Connie Hawkins
Y.A. Tittle
John Hillerman
Liz Smith
Earle Hyman
Malcolm Young
Charles Manson
Della Reese
Mel Tillis
David Cassidy
Rance Howard
Jim Nabors
Tommy Nobis
Keely Smith
Dick Enberg
Heather Menzies
Rose Marie

Happy New Year to all my readers!
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