Wednesday, December 29, 2021

RIP - Chuck Dobson

 
Chuck Dobson, a starting pitcher for the Athletics in the 1960s and 1970s, passed away on November 30, 2021 at age 77.
Dobson was one of many young hurlers in the Athletics' starting rotation during their final years in Kansas City and later in Oakland. Others were Catfish Hunter, Lew Krausse, Blue Moon Odom, and Jim Nash. 
 
Fittingly, he was born in Kansas City, spent his early years pitching there, and also died there. Dobson was the first pitcher to make his big-league debut in his hometown and for his team's home opener.  
 
 
  

Sunday, December 26, 2021

RIP - Don Demeter

 
Slugging outfielder Don Demeter passed away on November 29, 2021 at age 86.
After a 3-game cup of coffee with the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1956, Demeter played 10 seasons (1958-67) with the LA Dodgers, Phillies, Tigers, Red Sox, and Indians. His prime years were 1961-65 with the Phillies and Tigers. 
 
After baseball, Demeter had a varied career as the owner of a swimming pool business, president of the minor-league Oklahoma City 89ers, a politician, and a minister. 
 
 

 

Thursday, December 23, 2021

RIP - Bill Virdon

 
1950s/60s Pirates' outfielder Bill Virdon passed away on November 23, 2021 at age 90.
Virdon began his career with the Cardinals, and was the NL Rookie of the Year in 1955. He was inexplicably traded away to the Pirates the following May for a bag of beans, and became the Bucs' center fielder for the next 10 years. 
 
He also managed the Pirates, Yankees, Astros, and Expos from 1972 to 1984.