RIP - Rob Gardner

 

Rob Gardner, who pitched for six teams over eight seasons, passed away on October 21, 2023 at age 78.

Gardner began his career with the Mets in 1965, then moved on to the Cubs, Indians, Yankees, Athletics, Yankees again, then wrapped up with the Brewers in 1973. 

 

He was primarily a reliever, although he started half his games in 1966 (his most playing time) and 1972 (his best season). 

 

After his playing career, he became a fireman and a paramedic.  

 

New York Post obituary  

 

Obituary 

 

RIP - Wayne Comer

 

Wayne Comer, an outfielder for the Tigers, Pilots, and Senators, passed away on October 4, 2023 at age 79.

Comer may be best known as Jim Bouton's nemesis in the book "Ball Four". 

 

Debuting with the Tigers in September 1967, Comer played most of the 1968 season with the eventual World Champions. 

 

He was selected by the Seattle Pilots in the expansion draft, and was a regular outfielder that first year, splitting his time between center and right fields. 

 

He moved on to the Senators in mid-May 1970, but was only a spare outfielder for the Nats.

 

Comer returned to the Tigers' organization in 1971, spending 3 years in their farm system and playing a few dozen games for Detroit in 1972. 

 

He retired after playing for the Phillies' AAA team in 1974. 

 

Comer was a high school baseball coach for the last 20+ years of his life. 

 

Detroit News obituary

   

RIP - Casey Cox

 

Casey Cox, a pitcher for the Washington Senators in the late 1960s and early 1970s, passed away on October 2, 2023 at age 82.

Cox made his debut with the Senators in April 1966, and was with the team until late-1972, although he spent part of 1967 and most of 1968 back in the minors. 

 

He was primarily a relief pitcher, but was in their starting rotation for all of 1970. 

 

Cox also played for the Yankees from September 1972 until his release in mid-April 1973.  

 

Casey Cox' SABR page 

   

RIP - Joe Christopher

 

Joe Christopher, an outfielder for the Pirates, Mets, and Red Sox, passed away on October 3, 2023 at age 87.

Christopher split the '59 and '60 seasons between the Pirates and their AAA team, then spent all of 1961 as the Pirates' 4th outfielder (primarily starting 1/3 of the games in left field). 

 

After the 1961 season he was selected by the Mets in the expansion draft and was one of their top 4 outfielders for the next 4 seasons, including their everyday right fielder in 1964. 

 

Following the 1965 season he was traded to the Red Sox for shortstop Ed Bressoud, then midway through 1966 he was sent to the Tigers (with pitcher Earl Wilson) for outfielder Don Demeter. He didn't play for Detroit, and spent the next 2 1/2 seasons in the minors before retiring. 

 

New York Times obituary  

 

New York Post obituary 

    

RIP - Danny Morris

 

Danny Morris, a pitcher for the Twins in the 1960s, passed away on September 23, 2023 at age 77.

Morris pitched in the Twins' organization from 1964 to 1972, but only played in the majors for 3 games in 1968 and 3 games in 1969. 

 

He won 16 games in the minors in 1965 and again in 1968. 

 

Obituary