RIP - Pat Corrales

 

Pat Corrales passed away on August 27, 2023, at age 82. He was a backup catcher for the Phillies, Cardinals, Reds, and Padres from 1964-73.

After a 2-game debut in late-1964, Corrales began the 1965 season in the minors. When the Phillies sold Gus Triandos to the Astros on June 14th, Corrales was called up and started 53 of the final 105 games that season. 

 

Traded to the Cardinals after the season, he saw limited action in 1966 while backing up Tim McCarver,  and spent all of 1967 in the minors. 

 

Corrales was traded to the Reds for catcher Johnny Edwards, and became Johnny Bench's caddy for the next 4 seasons. After playing the first half of 1972 in the minors, he was traded to the Padres for catcher Bob Barton. He was the Padres' backup catcher through the end of 1973, then played for their AAA team in 1974 after which he was released. 

 

After his playing career, Corrales coached for the Rangers from 1976-78, and managed them from 1978-80. He later managed the Phillies (1982-83) and Indians (1983-87). 

 

He returned to coaching for the Yankees (1989), Braves (1990-2006), and Nationals (2007-11). 

 

Associated Press obituary  

 

New York Post obituary 

  

RIP - Bill Schlesinger

 

Bill Schlesinger, a farmhand with the Red Sox and others during the 1960s, passed away on August 13, 2023 at age 81.

He hit 37 home runs in 1964, his first season in the Red Sox' organization, and scored a spot in Topps' 1965 set. Although he played in the minors from 1964 to 1970, he only had 1 major-league at-bat, a pinch-hitting appearance for the Sox in early-1965. 

 

Schlesinger was claimed by the Kansas City Athletics when Boston tried to send him to the minors later that month. 

 

He was reacquired by the Red Sox 2 years later, but after the season he was traded to the Cubs for pitcher Ray Culp. A few months later he returned to Boston's farm system, but the following year he was traded again, this time to the Phillies for outfielder Don Lock. (I hope he had a sturdy suitcase!) 

 

Schlesinger retired after 2 seasons in the Phillies' organization.

 

Obituary 

 

RIP - Jim Price

 

Jim Price, a backup catcher for the Tigers from 1967 to 1971, passed away on August 7, 2023 at age 81.

Price played in the Pirates' minor-league system from 1960 to 1966. Initially a corner infielder, he transitioned to catcher in his 2nd season. 

 

He was sold to the Tigers 4 days before the start of the 1967 season, having already appeared on a "Pirates Rookie Stars" card in the 1967 Topps set. 

 

Price went on to back up Bill Freehan for the next 5 seasons, which is to say, he didn't get much playing time. 

 

In December 1971, the Tigers traded for Dodgers' catcher Tom Haller, marking an end to Price's career.

 

Price was a broadcaster for the Tigers from 1993 until one month before his death.  

 

Detroit Free Press obituary  

 

MLB.com obituary 

  

RIP - Ken Suarez

 

Ken Suarez, a backup catcher for the Athletics, Indians, and Rangers, passed away on July 29, 2023 at age 80.

Suarez played baseball for Florida State University, and was on the 1964 US Olympic team. 

 

He turned pro in 1965, and had a grand-slam for his first hit. Suarez split the '66 and '67 seasons between the Kansas City Athletics and the minors. 

 

Although he was with the Indians for all of 1968, he only appeared in 17 games. He played part of 1969 and all of 1970 in the minors, then was back with the Indians for all of 1971. 

 

Traded to the Rangers after the 1971 season, he played part of 1972 and all of 1973 with Texas. Suarez started 88 games in 1973, more than twice his previous high. 

 

He retired following a trade back to the Indians in early 1974.  

 

Obituary