tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29498174894875647962024-03-15T12:54:46.968-04:001960s BaseballSome ramblings about major (and minor) league baseball in the mid-to-late 1960s, with an emphasis on my hometown Philadelphia Phillies. -- 26-SEP-2009Jim from Downingtownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01537007940455183397noreply@blogger.comBlogger469125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2949817489487564796.post-85478267523867695142024-03-15T12:52:00.005-04:002024-03-15T12:54:14.326-04:00RIP - Jim McAndrew<div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">Jim McAndrew, a Mets' pitcher from 1968-73. passed away on March 14, 2024 at age 80. </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdRu9Q8iq8NAgP8rhQhFiA4hRImioh3VdhuA6Eqh8Hkkpqk1dDPpb9XT0geyCw6gQnaeZEAqYA1EQUJeRDhjhHGS8jIHJx-uY6HKopn4gR6WMFDNFiREp8TCNSZsY6txkAh6fr4g0Ay8vY-rRdjDNGExZqa9LBI74uGiJ-C8ncXSHK11bgsg1MAx8Zmfg/s726/1970%20Jim%20McAndrew.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="726" data-original-width="521" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdRu9Q8iq8NAgP8rhQhFiA4hRImioh3VdhuA6Eqh8Hkkpqk1dDPpb9XT0geyCw6gQnaeZEAqYA1EQUJeRDhjhHGS8jIHJx-uY6HKopn4gR6WMFDNFiREp8TCNSZsY6txkAh6fr4g0Ay8vY-rRdjDNGExZqa9LBI74uGiJ-C8ncXSHK11bgsg1MAx8Zmfg/s400/1970%20Jim%20McAndrew.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">
McAndrew was drafted by the Mets in 1965, out of the University of Iowa. He made his major-league debut in July 1968, starting all 12 of his games in his rookie season. </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">He was the Mets' 5th starter for most of the next 6 seasons (except for spending much of 1971 in the bullpen). </div><div style="text-align: left;"> <br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">McAndrew retired after playing the 1974 season with the Padres. </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">His son Jamie pitched for the Brewers in the mid-1990s.
</div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://nypost.com/2024/03/15/sports/jim-mcandrew-key-miracle-mets-pitcher-dead-at-80/">New York Post obituary</a>
</div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/39737933/jim-mcandrew-former-new-york-mets-pitcher-dies-80">ESPN obituary</a> </div><div style="text-align: left;">
</div>Jim from Downingtownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01537007940455183397noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2949817489487564796.post-61815196358976217882024-03-13T22:57:00.008-04:002024-03-13T22:57:50.757-04:00RIP - Bill Plummer<div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">Bill Plummer, the Reds' backup catcher from 1972-77, passed away on March 12, 2024 at age 76. </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0llGqmmWuIuyWT3G6W8U8JCx_5gF0V3AxKBfa1Ve4_wEptwmd69MF8-uDJIj8YPcZDvbmQk4QzK7wMf1BhsJoZZl4w9MPvLh9_9TC7E62MgftaAjXfKh1pMxGtWbqjjfB-RvnGxr1JHqnZM_UP6NAEfSevrn1sOTWWcKOBtAXu-8xNlKBu7Lxs3LQQfI/s558/1971%20Bill%20Plummer.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="558" data-original-width="394" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0llGqmmWuIuyWT3G6W8U8JCx_5gF0V3AxKBfa1Ve4_wEptwmd69MF8-uDJIj8YPcZDvbmQk4QzK7wMf1BhsJoZZl4w9MPvLh9_9TC7E62MgftaAjXfKh1pMxGtWbqjjfB-RvnGxr1JHqnZM_UP6NAEfSevrn1sOTWWcKOBtAXu-8xNlKBu7Lxs3LQQfI/s400/1971%20Bill%20Plummer.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">
Plummer was signed by the Cardinals in 1965, then was selected by the Cubs in the Rule 5 draft after the 1967 season. Because of the rules, he remained on the Cubs' roster for all of 1968, but only saw action in 2 games. </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">In January 1969 the Cubs traded him to the Reds for pitcher Ted Abernathy. Plummer got a few cups of coffee with the Reds in '70 and '71, then backed up Johnny Bench from 1972-77. </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">After his release during Spring Training 1978, he was signed by the Mariners, and spent his final season as Bob Stinson's backup. </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">Plummer retired after playing for the Mariners' AAA team in Spokane during the 1979 season. </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">He coached for the Mariners during the 1980s, and managed the team in 1992.
</div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/mlb/reds/2024/03/13/bill-plummer-big-red-machine-backup-catcher-cincinnati-reds-dies-at-76/72953857007/">Cincinnati Enquirer obituary</a> </div><div style="text-align: left;">
</div>Jim from Downingtownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01537007940455183397noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2949817489487564796.post-49404685676767147902024-02-16T20:26:00.001-05:002024-02-17T04:45:59.340-05:00RIP - Don Gullett<div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">Don Gullett, a starting pitcher for the Reds in the 1970s, passed away on February 14, 2024 at age 73.
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKOP_WYvAd5dHoG9nPh9wl9-FgfN7YGkE5T895mV0YX2rcp8kUr-aKTND_8HxC6Trns8f5uWK4ROyxzzC0UqzsVWoW21w94Tj50qE6D_XulM-PQ0CT2nDwfePF5TctcitW4a9fbDXszUtvtWpGC3-d-XT3nclmJkv3b-XbflZGJtFW1jlL-0exIruVd6U/s386/1972%20Don%20Gullett.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="386" data-original-width="273" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKOP_WYvAd5dHoG9nPh9wl9-FgfN7YGkE5T895mV0YX2rcp8kUr-aKTND_8HxC6Trns8f5uWK4ROyxzzC0UqzsVWoW21w94Tj50qE6D_XulM-PQ0CT2nDwfePF5TctcitW4a9fbDXszUtvtWpGC3-d-XT3nclmJkv3b-XbflZGJtFW1jlL-0exIruVd6U/s400/1972%20Don%20Gullett.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">Gullett was drafted by the Reds in the 1st round in 1969. After spending that season in low-A ball, he jumped all the way to the big club in April 1970, and appeared in 44 games (all but 2 in relief). </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">He was a key member of the Big Red Machine's starting rotation from 1971-76, winning 15 or more games in 4 of those 6 seasons. His only losing season was 1972, when he posted a 9-10 record while battling hepatitis. </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">Gullett surrendered Willie Mays' 660th and final home run. (He also surrendered Hank Aaron's 660th homer.) </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">He became a free agent after the 1976 season, and signed with the Yankees. In 1977 he posted a 14-4 record, leading the AL in winning percentage. </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">After just 8 games in 1978, a torn rotator cuff ended his career. He managed to avoid the sore-arm curse that afflicted several Reds' hurlers in the 1970s (like Gary Nolan and Wayne Simpson), only to be injured while a Yankee. </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">Gullett appeared in 4 World Series with the Reds ('70, '72, '75, '76) and one with the Yankees ('77). He was 4-5 with 60 strikeouts in the post-season. </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">After his playing career, he owned a tobacco farm in Kentucky. He had heart attacks in 1986 and 1990, yet returned to the Reds as their pitching coach from 1993-2005.
</div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.wlwt.com/article/cincinnati-reds-pitcher-don-gullett-dead/46790112">WLWT (Cincinnati) obituary</a>
</div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.foxsports.com/stories/mlb/pitcher-don-gullett-who-won-world-series-with-reds-and-yankees-dies-at-73">Fox Sports obituary</a> </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div>Jim from Downingtownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01537007940455183397noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2949817489487564796.post-65114405694269855412024-02-14T12:32:00.008-05:002024-02-14T12:33:29.486-05:00RIP - Jim Hannan<div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://1966topps.blogspot.com/2017/09/jim-hannan-479.html">Jim Hannan</a>, a pitcher for the Senators during the 1960s, passed away on February 9, 2024 at age 84.
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzNFVVwTsP0FTs7ZOQySEo2hnUZXqA6vL8CjdzlNpDAG8m6FtRmXo5jdBsO2XiXysEi3N-xdQFEG_puA5zLzSh0uGof7GKunUbA6n3urjLBSIpdS7Evdagz8fts8_JFXXpufd5jga6NzmpK46xHYOUFNFGEuyso2s48FfwGuCyJKMRLhuYinix3XwnNuY/s2056/1966%20Jim%20Hannan%20%28f%29.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="2056" data-original-width="1472" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzNFVVwTsP0FTs7ZOQySEo2hnUZXqA6vL8CjdzlNpDAG8m6FtRmXo5jdBsO2XiXysEi3N-xdQFEG_puA5zLzSh0uGof7GKunUbA6n3urjLBSIpdS7Evdagz8fts8_JFXXpufd5jga6NzmpK46xHYOUFNFGEuyso2s48FfwGuCyJKMRLhuYinix3XwnNuY/s400/1966%20Jim%20Hannan%20%28f%29.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">
Hannan debuted in April 1962, and was with the team every season through 1970 (while making brief trips to the minors in '62, '63, '64, '67, and '68).
He also played for the Tigers and Brewers in 1971. </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">After his playing career, he founded the Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association. </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.wftv.com/news/trending/jim-hannan-first-president-mlb-players-alumni-association-dead-85/YM6RIKKZ5VF6PIOJTG6THQRFK4/">WFTV-9 (Orlando) obituary</a>
</div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.mlb.com/press-release/major-league-baseball-players-alumni-association-mourns-the-passing-of-organizations-founding-president-jim-hannan">MLBPAA obituary</a></div><div style="text-align: left;">
</div>Jim from Downingtownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01537007940455183397noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2949817489487564796.post-81321225573326743262024-02-09T18:58:00.007-05:002024-02-09T18:58:50.294-05:00RIP - Brant Alyea<div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://1969topps.blogspot.com/2018/10/brant-alyea-48.html">Brant Alyea</a>, a corner outfielder for the Senators, Twins, and Athletics from 1968-72, passed away on February 4, 2024 at age 83.
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFHo-NRBg-20kwt16CW0wJbZT8UtmRPSceOFYpQHIDQwA2x7ViC1joL-UtBaDuGSJ5jDy5Opy5G8kqMWbTCYwuSPAFzesQCI0aUuDKUfJWM2Tmz-jwFiH8b8D9viT-oIS4F0YcbRrcAKlAYxXw4_rRSTbbil-BxfxQmPJDPwcpef_ghpdNanXAxDjyf04/s2048/1969%20Brant%20Alyea%28f%29.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1488" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFHo-NRBg-20kwt16CW0wJbZT8UtmRPSceOFYpQHIDQwA2x7ViC1joL-UtBaDuGSJ5jDy5Opy5G8kqMWbTCYwuSPAFzesQCI0aUuDKUfJWM2Tmz-jwFiH8b8D9viT-oIS4F0YcbRrcAKlAYxXw4_rRSTbbil-BxfxQmPJDPwcpef_ghpdNanXAxDjyf04/s400/1969%20Brant%20Alyea%28f%29.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">
Alyea played 2 seasons each for the Senators (1968-69) and Twins (1970-71), then split the 1972 season between the Athletics and Cardinals. </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">After his playing career, he worked at a casino in Atlantic City.
</div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.burnsfuneralhome.com/obituary/garrabrant-alyea-iv">Obituary</a> </div><div style="text-align: left;"> <br /></div>Jim from Downingtownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01537007940455183397noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2949817489487564796.post-17082133210286015692024-02-07T20:00:00.000-05:002024-02-07T20:31:54.741-05:00And Now For Something Completely Different<div style="text-align: left;"><i> </i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>No sports today. Instead, something that REALLY matters... </i></div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">1% of the population control the world </div><div style="text-align: left;">4% of the population are their puppets </div><div style="text-align: left;">90% of the population are sleeping zombies </div><div style="text-align: left;">5% of the population are trying to wake up the 90% </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">The 1% make sure the 4% stop the 5% from waking up the 90%. </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">It's not about religion, race, ethnicity, or political parties.
The 1% are using all manner of distractions to implement their divide & conquer strategy, to remain in control. </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">What group are you in?</div>Jim from Downingtownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01537007940455183397noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2949817489487564796.post-35120565906923564022024-02-06T08:00:00.003-05:002024-02-06T08:00:00.142-05:00RIP - Al McBean<div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://1968topps.blogspot.com/2014/05/al-mcbean-514.html">Al McBean</a>, who pitched for the Pirates in the 1960s, passed away on January 31, 2024 at age 85.
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLb9ahm9_aBmNL7ZjfAPIOH_AO-ERvQ4jbDp3nIhXYBVymEf67Fbjz9oZ3Mz5yhSTUzplhPnXGlKznvnNyEQzvyjnDO8HqTRl_hyGT56kHPAiaQ8xvaFxgrZ65jDK-dM6FR-AXiOjCEllCXa4zooXH-_95d7BgpIedsDrdeB_I99NFalukGnD5TvXzpC4/s698/1968%20Al%20McBean%20%28f%29.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="698" data-original-width="490" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLb9ahm9_aBmNL7ZjfAPIOH_AO-ERvQ4jbDp3nIhXYBVymEf67Fbjz9oZ3Mz5yhSTUzplhPnXGlKznvnNyEQzvyjnDO8HqTRl_hyGT56kHPAiaQ8xvaFxgrZ65jDK-dM6FR-AXiOjCEllCXa4zooXH-_95d7BgpIedsDrdeB_I99NFalukGnD5TvXzpC4/s400/1968%20Al%20McBean%20%28f%29.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">
McBean hailed from the US Virgin Islands, where he was spotted by a Pirates scout. He pitched for the Pirates from 1961 to 1968. Primarily a starter in 1962 and 1968, he was a key member of their bullpen from 1963-67. </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">He was selected by the Padres in the expansion draft after the 1968 season, but by mid-April 1969 he was traded to the Dodgers. </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">The Dodgers released him in April 1970, and although the Pirates picked him up on the same day, he was released a month later. McBean pitched the rest of 1970 and all of 1971 for the Phillies' AAA team before retiring and returning to the Virgin Islands. </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://pittsburghbaseballnow.com/former-pirates-pitcher-al-mcbean-dies-in-native-virgin-islands/#">Pittsburgh Baseball Now obituary</a>
</div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.virginislandsdailynews.com/sports/former-major-leaguer-al-mcbean-passes-at-age-85/article_c3600b8b-e266-5ffa-b030-7a99c0bcc0a2.html">Virgin Islands Daily News obituary</a> </div><div style="text-align: left;">
</div>Jim from Downingtownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01537007940455183397noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2949817489487564796.post-53218189150129402962024-02-04T20:00:00.000-05:002024-02-04T20:43:47.510-05:00RIP - Jimy Williams<div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">Jimy Williams, a coach and manager from 1980-2008, passed away on January 29, 2024 at age 80.
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href=""></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHUUnqIWcg_m8bX16ijzGWDfXseanuYRZ_eGbcZE7z60Ujlu_mKG_kddxahxQQ59PbaHvLQ0X4G4ZKP51kZ3mRnd3BEfezQ8pOL4OCcORQ05wn4zw35ap3sefrEdadF0sQth9hU4o5epG2XJRSUem5sqoq-5RV5lZfPTqJJ1B7Mh-tTIgTXcaLRXR3t70/s1024/1966%20Cardinals%20Rookies%20%28J%20Williams%29.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="727" data-original-width="1024" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHUUnqIWcg_m8bX16ijzGWDfXseanuYRZ_eGbcZE7z60Ujlu_mKG_kddxahxQQ59PbaHvLQ0X4G4ZKP51kZ3mRnd3BEfezQ8pOL4OCcORQ05wn4zw35ap3sefrEdadF0sQth9hU4o5epG2XJRSUem5sqoq-5RV5lZfPTqJJ1B7Mh-tTIgTXcaLRXR3t70/s400/1966%20Cardinals%20Rookies%20%28J%20Williams%29.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">
Williams played in the minor leagues from 1965-1971 for the Cardinals, Reds, and Expos. He played a handful of MLB games for the Cardinals in 1966 and 1967. </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">He is more well-known as a longtime coach and manager.
From 1974-79 he was a minor-league manager for the Angels and Cardinals. </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">Williams managed the Blue Jays (1986-89), Red Sox (1997-2001), and Astros (2002-04). </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">He was also the 3rd base coach for the Bue Jays (1980-85) and Braves (1991-96), both times working for manager Bobby Cox. He also coached for the Phillies from 2007-08.
</div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.mlb.com/news/jimy-williams-dies">MLB obituary</a> </div><div style="text-align: left;">
</div>Jim from Downingtownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01537007940455183397noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2949817489487564796.post-10012719507154993242024-01-31T11:00:00.004-05:002024-01-31T11:01:42.418-05:00RIP - Bud Harrelson<div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://1968topps.blogspot.com/2013/10/bud-harrelson-132.html">Bud Harrelson</a>, the Mets' shortstop for 12 seasons from 1966-77, passed away on January 10, 2024 at age 79.
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKm8WADdFrpH-BlNANN1-kizC1qR-l1BO4D5g82RL-gf0WNl_C12gSSHwHrwCSjrz9mJmpBZ1isI7Ls7wfSvi4n27VINQ9fYrBoj5xJz92zJKELbWeWx6fvc0jIzgh9i_7MGIywqpoS8A7OSW1CbioeeHQR1cQWlkeELJ2qfY7tvszXX66uW4ZjQ6_qus/s697/1968%20Bud%20Harrelson%20%28f%29.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="697" data-original-width="487" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKm8WADdFrpH-BlNANN1-kizC1qR-l1BO4D5g82RL-gf0WNl_C12gSSHwHrwCSjrz9mJmpBZ1isI7Ls7wfSvi4n27VINQ9fYrBoj5xJz92zJKELbWeWx6fvc0jIzgh9i_7MGIywqpoS8A7OSW1CbioeeHQR1cQWlkeELJ2qfY7tvszXX66uW4ZjQ6_qus/s400/1968%20Bud%20Harrelson%20%28f%29.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">
After a cup of coffee in September 1965, Harrelson rejoined the Mets in August 1966, and by September had taken over the shortstop job from the Roy McMillan/Ed Bressoud tandem. The Mets were so confident in his abilities that they released McMillan after the season, and traded Bressoud the following March. </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">Harrelson started 144 games in 1967, more than any other Met except Tommy Davis. </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">He made the All-Star team twice, and played in 2 World Series. </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">After the 1977 season he was traded to the Phillies, where he backed up Larry Bowa and a variety of 2nd basemen for 2 seasons.</div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">He played for the Rangers in his final season (1980). </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">Harrelson's 1968 card is shown above. During my pack-purchasing days of 1967-72, I had more of this card (nine) than any other card. </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://apnews.com/article/bud-harrelson-death-mets-e990440aa0b811edac023c219cee77e8">Associated Press obituary</a> </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://nypost.com/2024/01/11/sports/pete-rose-knew-bud-harrelson-was-the-mets-heart-and-soul/">New York Post obituary</a></div><div style="text-align: left;">
</div>Jim from Downingtownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01537007940455183397noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2949817489487564796.post-68856248160049152022024-01-26T17:51:00.002-05:002024-01-26T17:51:25.400-05:00RIP - Billy Gardner<div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">Billy Gardner, a 2nd baseman for the Orioles and others from 1954-1963, passed away on January 3, 2024 at age 96.
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD9kXH8yX0euBms7RxW2jhJHgRnGSd0DnAxxLMIlIOqgM5nYCBNWZF9qvssTyuxgOIxwNrftWTYTSQdHxLBmYge_xqbKMWANhunCMq6A8RtCTiWGe-lC5o7wamMlc9qGuMmbaIKdlZBE3Ilghv6LOs0r3AEBpl4UXKGRBUaqWoBWzhvTOoqk-yd_WvmiY/s753/1963%20Billy%20Gardner.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="753" data-original-width="527" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD9kXH8yX0euBms7RxW2jhJHgRnGSd0DnAxxLMIlIOqgM5nYCBNWZF9qvssTyuxgOIxwNrftWTYTSQdHxLBmYge_xqbKMWANhunCMq6A8RtCTiWGe-lC5o7wamMlc9qGuMmbaIKdlZBE3Ilghv6LOs0r3AEBpl4UXKGRBUaqWoBWzhvTOoqk-yd_WvmiY/s400/1963%20Billy%20Gardner.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">
Gardner began playing in the New York Giant's system in 1945. After missing 1946 due to military service, he returned to the farm until making his major-league debut with the Giants in April 1954. He played all of '54 with the Giants, but split the 1955 season between New York and triple-A. </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">In April 1956 he was sold to the Orioles, and became their every-day 2nd baseman, starting over 125 games each season (with 151 starts in '58). In 1957 he led the league with 36 doubles. </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">Gardner was the Senators' 2nd baseman in 1960, and continued in the job upon the team's move to Minnesota in 1961. After the June 1st acquisition of Billy Martin, Gardner lost his starting position, and was traded to the Yankees 2 weeks later. </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">He played for the Red Sox in '62 and '63, and for their AAA team in Seattle in 1964, before retiring. </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">Gardner managed in the minor leagues from 1967 to 1980, then Managed the Twins from 1981-85, and the Royals in 1987.
</div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.startribune.com/former-minnesota-twins-manager-billy-gardner-obituary-slick/600333050/">Minneapolis Star-Tribune obituary</a> </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.si.com/mlb/twins/news/former-twins-manager-billy-gardner-dies-at-96">Sports Illustrated obituary</a> </div><div style="text-align: left;">
</div>Jim from Downingtownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01537007940455183397noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2949817489487564796.post-61502185296730789062024-01-09T16:49:00.001-05:002024-01-09T16:49:58.706-05:00RIP - Dick Thoenen<div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://1968topps.blogspot.com/2012/10/phillies-rookies-larry-colton-dick.html">Dick Thoenen</a>, who pitched 1 inning of 1 game for the Phillies in 1967, passed away on December 21, 2023 at age 75.
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7eUEtPF8CtOXRuvWZQ6kuZSak-nR28TQ7QT7mWE8s4LEt8fBpZpJsSVmatyBerQZ9FT4lGJV4upmRqpAd0VauOUo9Nc3EQwJ9-4AZ7kiXxzF7eRzEba5t6t4-hzULJxLCCO-RqOOaxrKJUORP7GuGE9qhvYV-uNkRNOq9qhOldp64xO96Z-qt1eA41sw/s692/1968%20Phillies%20Rookies%20%28Larry%20Colton%20-%20Dick%20Thoenen%29%20%28f%29.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="495" data-original-width="692" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7eUEtPF8CtOXRuvWZQ6kuZSak-nR28TQ7QT7mWE8s4LEt8fBpZpJsSVmatyBerQZ9FT4lGJV4upmRqpAd0VauOUo9Nc3EQwJ9-4AZ7kiXxzF7eRzEba5t6t4-hzULJxLCCO-RqOOaxrKJUORP7GuGE9qhvYV-uNkRNOq9qhOldp64xO96Z-qt1eA41sw/s400/1968%20Phillies%20Rookies%20%28Larry%20Colton%20-%20Dick%20Thoenen%29%20%28f%29.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">
Thoenen pitched in the Phillies' farm system from 1963 to 1969, compiling a 45-42 record over that time. A starting pitcher in his first 3 seasons, he switched to relieving after 1965.
</div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://theobituaryapp.com/obituaries/richard-crispin-thoenen/4523330">Obituary</a> </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div>Jim from Downingtownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01537007940455183397noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2949817489487564796.post-30168186381648990742024-01-08T07:48:00.004-05:002024-01-08T07:49:18.021-05:00RIP - Chuck Harrison<div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://1969topps.blogspot.com/2018/11/final-card-chuck-harrison.html">Chuck Harrison</a>, a 1st baseman for the Astros in the mid-1960s. passed away on December 30, 2023 at age 82.
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj8-4a8fM-IlmIUTcHq9TOf0Qf2WLUJ3J0fMvbHPb5k_wSbARa5Qd0-J0tm4QJ2Khz4MFpp0vToYkYRPz487zoxrQDP5SFtZYiPrKwj3krjXXKUgwWW9W4CfKqNl-yLxU4PPVL59j2gIPfpSkkK-7nfHaQjokQlkmPTSnl4wRAqJ7UjP-BBqEkUT4Gk1A/s350/1967%20Chuck%20Harrison.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="350" data-original-width="249" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj8-4a8fM-IlmIUTcHq9TOf0Qf2WLUJ3J0fMvbHPb5k_wSbARa5Qd0-J0tm4QJ2Khz4MFpp0vToYkYRPz487zoxrQDP5SFtZYiPrKwj3krjXXKUgwWW9W4CfKqNl-yLxU4PPVL59j2gIPfpSkkK-7nfHaQjokQlkmPTSnl4wRAqJ7UjP-BBqEkUT4Gk1A/s400/1967%20Chuck%20Harrison.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">
Harrison debuted with the Astros in September 1965, and played most of '66 and '67 with Houston, although also having some time in the minors. Most of his playing time came in 1966. (The newly-acquired Eddie Mathews played 1st base in 1967, followed by rookie call-up Doug Rader.) </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">Chuck was traded to the Braves in the off-season but spent all of 1968 in the minors, before resurfacing with the Royals in 1969 and 1971.
</div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/mlb/former-astros-first-baseman-chuck-harrison-dies-at-82/ar-AA1mu7Ah">MSN.com obituary</a> </div><div style="text-align: left;"> <br /></div>Jim from Downingtownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01537007940455183397noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2949817489487564796.post-36381658957880889932024-01-05T16:23:00.004-05:002024-01-05T16:23:45.111-05:00RIP - Bob Priddy<a href="https://1967topps.blogspot.com/2017/10/bob-priddy-26.html"><br />Bob Priddy</a>, who pitched for 6 teams from 1962-71, passed away on September 28, 2023 at age 83.
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhza4tQcnC3WzLT9WY0rmz3GIUcHKjFJKcQ5iGRw87VnC8XMWPnTzN7AiP91xjYzRs-A3MkSjGAOlH7XuYjRgweqG5O5mngqGl80HWVbk3vf-v4si1aX5ZlYB0Zm8GB8xnf8S-Cyyy5hzPFAqzFGW1JAgsu3fraccE5lkSwOafWwKefCPXDTg3lbrH9Qyk/s705/1967%20Bob%20Priddy%20%28f%29.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="705" data-original-width="499" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhza4tQcnC3WzLT9WY0rmz3GIUcHKjFJKcQ5iGRw87VnC8XMWPnTzN7AiP91xjYzRs-A3MkSjGAOlH7XuYjRgweqG5O5mngqGl80HWVbk3vf-v4si1aX5ZlYB0Zm8GB8xnf8S-Cyyy5hzPFAqzFGW1JAgsu3fraccE5lkSwOafWwKefCPXDTg3lbrH9Qyk/s400/1967%20Bob%20Priddy%20%28f%29.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">
Priddy played parts of '62 and '64 with the Pirates and part of '65 and all of '66 with the Giants. </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">My first Bob Priddy baseball card was in the 1967 set. Although pictured as a Giant, the back of the card said he was already traded to the Senators for Mike McCormick. </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">He pitched for the Senators in 1967 and the White Sox in 1968. After playing for 3 teams in 1969 (White Sox, Angels, Braves), Priddy finished up with the Braves from 1970-71. </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://ripbaseball.com/2023/11/01/obituary-bob-priddy-1939-2023/">Obituary</a> </div><div style="text-align: left;">
</div>Jim from Downingtownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01537007940455183397noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2949817489487564796.post-72022698359688888112023-12-31T14:49:00.008-05:002024-01-09T16:54:38.126-05:002023 Re-cap<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrwJhxNCji7bvTkhGv5RUEX-Zz9gPeQyRAdWh8xncCLPVUOZLSnH4o3DF3sGeCUlsQNG7TvnPC2WQEilVA2F4H9RIScKAFhFzOQVoAxMMVUF303_iYUGykIr3JG8l6QVZbaqGi5pDj03NEdrL6A_SsMt5hCDHwSq01OZmbogBTEpHNHB5HQMZeNwLyfC4/s642/2023.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="642" height="75" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrwJhxNCji7bvTkhGv5RUEX-Zz9gPeQyRAdWh8xncCLPVUOZLSnH4o3DF3sGeCUlsQNG7TvnPC2WQEilVA2F4H9RIScKAFhFzOQVoAxMMVUF303_iYUGykIr3JG8l6QVZbaqGi5pDj03NEdrL6A_SsMt5hCDHwSq01OZmbogBTEpHNHB5HQMZeNwLyfC4/w200-h75/2023.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">1960s' baseball players who left us in 2023:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4RbdSAQG2Yl3HhvzG8CdScMUQgTh1F6V9OoO-2PtE0O5eTKApbBzrgnU8OMKT3ZmR-7c3Ckj8fNa1awfcMiOlvnASCubKrakOoZvDsD2hanLPP0M7Zu6AzB8ybiy2mSgIdCqJFSznsW0XvnOM-l6rls9hJDphzn3cpzkk5CL-9VornKfNU-Chywmurzs/s898/RIP%20-%202023%20a.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="840" data-original-width="898" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4RbdSAQG2Yl3HhvzG8CdScMUQgTh1F6V9OoO-2PtE0O5eTKApbBzrgnU8OMKT3ZmR-7c3Ckj8fNa1awfcMiOlvnASCubKrakOoZvDsD2hanLPP0M7Zu6AzB8ybiy2mSgIdCqJFSznsW0XvnOM-l6rls9hJDphzn3cpzkk5CL-9VornKfNU-Chywmurzs/s400/RIP%20-%202023%20a.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMZnpJcK-u0m-ImrHtr4eEnx0qGzpVzADJ0cy-VRz19zCIHkJPaZdpv7uV04Ul8gjkbIZY-rtHpQvQyqhIcr4kMfz1jCPjbJoKELJLz7il_zgCYnzLnfDM8oL3hyphenhyphenDf7l-tN-AnNdO52p6YJ2rvof5VJ3AFoPGGapVtTD8c0tKH42qYlS9FOHsXCdTKCGM/s903/RIP%20-%202023%20b.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="843" data-original-width="903" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMZnpJcK-u0m-ImrHtr4eEnx0qGzpVzADJ0cy-VRz19zCIHkJPaZdpv7uV04Ul8gjkbIZY-rtHpQvQyqhIcr4kMfz1jCPjbJoKELJLz7il_zgCYnzLnfDM8oL3hyphenhyphenDf7l-tN-AnNdO52p6YJ2rvof5VJ3AFoPGGapVtTD8c0tKH42qYlS9FOHsXCdTKCGM/s400/RIP%20-%202023%20b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqjuRd_wOqZtRG-TUzi9tgt_jYlnzDk2ZipEzH092ifqanSceRBzY2oU8ICtLuE36OHnQFo-3NLkg6GNl25URsOn5r4YmbIw65e6xnDry01ae8QwJhTNzkdlZQyZ069J34cz_liPYjPv88w0_A4xnYBWaBu9R_ktHcMFjTxgtujrZCK8f3Lp0saxEnkpw/s898/RIP%20-%202023%20c.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="837" data-original-width="898" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqjuRd_wOqZtRG-TUzi9tgt_jYlnzDk2ZipEzH092ifqanSceRBzY2oU8ICtLuE36OHnQFo-3NLkg6GNl25URsOn5r4YmbIw65e6xnDry01ae8QwJhTNzkdlZQyZ069J34cz_liPYjPv88w0_A4xnYBWaBu9R_ktHcMFjTxgtujrZCK8f3Lp0saxEnkpw/s400/RIP%20-%202023%20c.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV1dUedbJGu-Sh988B1HuLqtKZ9GDKxeszIu7IR22vYPca13kJc3-56IkpXe1OEj6j_H7QQj7WxcZzLMKB18KHPAFfbbIVBKpyRzuMMXuxu7YSoXHCyRC05pAkzrcIiHoGe6I7CamhB5Z6YT3ZWXBvgjoNxVCG9zb4_PfWmHdkBGVO8wARY7ibvLRkwq8/s897/RIP%20-%202023%20d.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="825" data-original-width="897" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV1dUedbJGu-Sh988B1HuLqtKZ9GDKxeszIu7IR22vYPca13kJc3-56IkpXe1OEj6j_H7QQj7WxcZzLMKB18KHPAFfbbIVBKpyRzuMMXuxu7YSoXHCyRC05pAkzrcIiHoGe6I7CamhB5Z6YT3ZWXBvgjoNxVCG9zb4_PfWmHdkBGVO8wARY7ibvLRkwq8/s400/RIP%20-%202023%20d.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvK-4yU45WEDMBEOr1ACRIxuX7dSYs-IMSezyOrgRXj8I8VvKPhVWHd0fa7J3iH8-fn_EhNfpPalngdzLnFtMydEA47ojqtSEASDr-HOJq73Zq4gdwUy6XwxwilDD9P7a_LVP4OS2yRV5C9NHn9BJTyolxyiFOZAZwiwVbEBc-CKH5_jxGn_uBM-GHVNg/s892/RIP%20-%202023%20e.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="823" data-original-width="892" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvK-4yU45WEDMBEOr1ACRIxuX7dSYs-IMSezyOrgRXj8I8VvKPhVWHd0fa7J3iH8-fn_EhNfpPalngdzLnFtMydEA47ojqtSEASDr-HOJq73Zq4gdwUy6XwxwilDD9P7a_LVP4OS2yRV5C9NHn9BJTyolxyiFOZAZwiwVbEBc-CKH5_jxGn_uBM-GHVNg/s400/RIP%20-%202023%20e.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif3eV0FL80aOI7lKMunuxMudPkOfDPpEaMXHfqBQQG_4gfVVsUOf2JtNmCbeShTVOAwl2_ucUSNRF7jm9xLXUEX-ctSGwCpY1ckeTZmMPiyMG5_G6k3k1_USxdipV1_9JesazfRNvGHHpOqHySXPEu8zujhYXLVX1LW_FmqtpGR0kvqli0oR8AJ-jmf6E/s897/RIP%20-%202023%20f.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="834" data-original-width="897" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif3eV0FL80aOI7lKMunuxMudPkOfDPpEaMXHfqBQQG_4gfVVsUOf2JtNmCbeShTVOAwl2_ucUSNRF7jm9xLXUEX-ctSGwCpY1ckeTZmMPiyMG5_G6k3k1_USxdipV1_9JesazfRNvGHHpOqHySXPEu8zujhYXLVX1LW_FmqtpGR0kvqli0oR8AJ-jmf6E/s400/RIP%20-%202023%20f.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZgwyc4oqvao1BgxYVoy7wlAvDQjXa-6NtvIDuJDVKuh81ihKg0-2mZr262WXrJdU5O_3hlluArXYAiyCefmWZ9HnohtXPb7zLRAKFYelX27VNcBgpvzSJGbVt8e_uSDiqBmA3c5YcjjnSegl14EILVxwT8w-wFx4vDvCRlwRPYKyzmkzgzoGGJvcjyMw/s902/RIP%20-%202023%20g.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="840" data-original-width="902" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZgwyc4oqvao1BgxYVoy7wlAvDQjXa-6NtvIDuJDVKuh81ihKg0-2mZr262WXrJdU5O_3hlluArXYAiyCefmWZ9HnohtXPb7zLRAKFYelX27VNcBgpvzSJGbVt8e_uSDiqBmA3c5YcjjnSegl14EILVxwT8w-wFx4vDvCRlwRPYKyzmkzgzoGGJvcjyMw/s400/RIP%20-%202023%20g.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">And from outside the baseball world: </div>
<pre>Adam Rich
Jeff Beck
Carole Cook
Lisa Marie Presley
Robbie Knievel
Yoshio Yoda
Gina Lollobrigida
David Crosby
Top Topham
Cindy Williams
Lisa Loring
Bobby Hull
Burt Bachrach
Raquel Welch
Stella Stevens
Richard Belzer
Bob Richards
Gary Rossington
Topol
Robert Blake
Dick Fosbury
Willis Reed
April Stevens
Harry Belafonte
Jerry Springer
Gordon Lightfoot
Don January
Jim Brown
Ed Ames
Tina Turner
George Maharis
James Watt
Cynthia Weil
Pat Cooper (actor)
Pat Robertson
Treat Williams
Glenda Jackson
Julian Sands
Alan Arkin
Peter Nero
Jane Birkin
Tony Bennett
Sinead O'Connor
Randy Meisner
Paul Reubens
Robbie Robertson
Gary Wright
David McCallum
Dick Butkus
Mark Goddard
Piper Laurie
Suzanne Somers
Richard Roundtree
Richard Moll
Matthew Perry
Ken Mattingly
Bobby Knight
Frank Borman
Henry Kissinger
Sandra Day O'Connor
Denny Laine
Norman Lear
Ryan O'Neal
George McGinnis
Tommy Smothers
Maurice Hines
Shecky Greene
Cindy Morgan
</pre><div style="text-align: left;">
Also: <a href="https://1967fbcards.blogspot.com/2023/12/rip-2023.html">Football deaths in 2023</a> </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div>Jim from Downingtownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01537007940455183397noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2949817489487564796.post-14025952071363770062023-12-26T11:29:00.001-05:002023-12-26T11:29:08.794-05:00RIP - Bob Allen<div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://1968topps.blogspot.com/2011/04/final-card-bob-allen.html">Bob Allen</a>, an Indians' reliever in the 1960s, passed away on December 12, 2023 at age 86.
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdbuo6iN55UUbK2SKyDn2-XE2T2IuLAg162dlPlGbLAycv6ZDXruyYzwx88edxnratoeziGSpWLOSgKm3Ngg0eOuHTr_JBmK2fURei8b61hyphenhyphenaNgcSZ2R1sNcUkgo2WCMHYkq1dNi-SDZEOEn1-O60x-mfh8bGXDIcxpnjy0VWDdV7efYoCkxRk2yvSFPM/s689/1968%20Bob%20Allen%20%28f%29.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="689" data-original-width="489" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdbuo6iN55UUbK2SKyDn2-XE2T2IuLAg162dlPlGbLAycv6ZDXruyYzwx88edxnratoeziGSpWLOSgKm3Ngg0eOuHTr_JBmK2fURei8b61hyphenhyphenaNgcSZ2R1sNcUkgo2WCMHYkq1dNi-SDZEOEn1-O60x-mfh8bGXDIcxpnjy0VWDdV7efYoCkxRk2yvSFPM/s400/1968%20Bob%20Allen%20%28f%29.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">
Allen pitched in the Indians' farm system from 1956-60, and made his debut with the Indians in April 1961. </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">He was with the Tribe for all of '61 and '63, and part of 1962.
After 2 seasons in the minors, he returned to Cleveland for the 1966 and 1967 seasons. His final MLB appearance was in September 1967. </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">He pitched 5 more seasons in the minors for 3 organizations (Indians, Angels, Padres), then retired in 1972. </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://us.firenews.video/obituaries/bob-allen-oct-27-1937-dec-12-2023/">Obituary</a> </div><div style="text-align: left;">
</div>Jim from Downingtownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01537007940455183397noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2949817489487564796.post-85102470106166639852023-12-17T22:55:00.011-05:002023-12-18T03:56:24.408-05:00RIP - Ken MacKenzie<div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">Ken MacKenzie, a relief pitcher who played for the Mets and others from 1960 to 1965, passed away on December 14, 2023 at age 89.
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7tu8li1k1Zy8fJzxoaDB3PaHyZsphGLYVFASEJkPrMEUIBdyxoWwRdMho0Oc6w4t1erk2k8ijiKvZ__HqyWI1nrSmZ4uAXWQksd2WKeymowOEoiQbLp2brojD7Sssg0ZdPgSWNh6Qk7J9u8w0w67dC8zbtfY6zH7mWJ87qs0EDsESZ2jSEsANioY4H6E/s1000/1963%20Ken%20MacKenzie.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="716" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7tu8li1k1Zy8fJzxoaDB3PaHyZsphGLYVFASEJkPrMEUIBdyxoWwRdMho0Oc6w4t1erk2k8ijiKvZ__HqyWI1nrSmZ4uAXWQksd2WKeymowOEoiQbLp2brojD7Sssg0ZdPgSWNh6Qk7J9u8w0w67dC8zbtfY6zH7mWJ87qs0EDsESZ2jSEsANioY4H6E/s400/1963%20Ken%20MacKenzie.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">
MacKenzie was signed by the Milwaukee Braves in 1956, and made his major-league debut with them in May 1960 (at age 26). After a few token games with the Braves in '60 and '61, Ken was acquired by the fledgling Mets in October 1961.</div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">He appeared in 42 games for the expansion Mets in 1962 (all but 1 in relief). His 5-4 record was the only winning record among the 17 pitchers the Mets used that year.</div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">After 34 relief appearances in 1963, he was traded to the Cardinals in early-August. Two days after the end of the regular season, he was flipped to the Giants for catcher Jimmie Coker.</div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">MacKenzie spent most of 1964 in triple-A, but played 10 games for the Giants in late-May and early-June.</div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">After the 1964 season he was purchased by the Houston Colt .45s. He pitched 21 games for the Astros until he was sent down to triple-A in early August.</div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">Ken retired after the 1965 season, and coached baseball at his alma mater Yale from 1969-1979.</div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/mlb/article-12867111/Former-MLB-pitcher-Ken-MacKenzie-original-member-New-York-Mets-1962-dead-89.html">Daily Mail obituary</a> </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div>Jim from Downingtownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01537007940455183397noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2949817489487564796.post-47207300355431560002023-12-09T13:10:00.001-05:002023-12-09T13:10:15.821-05:00RIP - Vic Davalillo<div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://1967topps.blogspot.com/2014/08/vic-davalillo-69.html">Vic Davalillo</a>, who began his career in the 1960s as the Indians' center fielder, and ended it in the 1980s as the Dodgers' superb pinch-hitter, passed away on December 6, 2023 at age 84.
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeQ_iBUf_Quv3ZweSJugqQvmYvtPRaHfBCGGnrEcK8_W3JdxGhnXxpBht0HL7Ym-sOxxRZJTj9ztdtfR6ecgK8dYbnmvxpFtX1lrSBK7nYHf347pGJtQxUWc39uiWvnkJi_EWg5FerjlVCvcgfVYIfqlYgn0RLlmtPvyvXRDDOqivWH1JY2HR-hGnx3f4/s700/1967%20Vic%20Davalillo%20%28f%29.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="700" data-original-width="493" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeQ_iBUf_Quv3ZweSJugqQvmYvtPRaHfBCGGnrEcK8_W3JdxGhnXxpBht0HL7Ym-sOxxRZJTj9ztdtfR6ecgK8dYbnmvxpFtX1lrSBK7nYHf347pGJtQxUWc39uiWvnkJi_EWg5FerjlVCvcgfVYIfqlYgn0RLlmtPvyvXRDDOqivWH1JY2HR-hGnx3f4/s400/1967%20Vic%20Davalillo%20%28f%29.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">
Davalillo played in the Reds' farm system from 1958-61, then was traded to the Indians after the 1961 season. He debuted with the Tribe in April 1963, and was their regular center fielder from 1963-65. He finished 3rd in AL batting in 1965. </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">He platooned with others in center field for the next 2 seasons, then moved over to right field in 1968 until his mid-season trade to the Angels, spelling the end of his status as a full-time player. </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">During the 1969 season, Davalillo was traded to the Cardinals, and then to the Pirates in '71 and A's in '73. </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">After Oakland released him following the 1974 season, he spent 2 1/2 years in the Mexican League. </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">In August 1977 the Dodgers came calling, and he joined them as a pinch-hitter for the next 2+ seasons. Although he was released after the 1979 season, the Dodgers re-signed him for the 2nd half of 1980.</div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">Davalillo played in the Venezuelan Winter League through the 1987 season (at age 48).
</div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.yardbarker.com/mlb/articles/longtime_mlb_outfielder_vic_davalillo_dies_at_84/s1_13237_39636333">Yardbarker.com obituary</a>
</div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.truebluela.com/23993739/vic-davalillo-dodgers">True Blue LA obituary</a> </div><div style="text-align: left;">
</div>Jim from Downingtownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01537007940455183397noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2949817489487564796.post-14024899801981915952023-11-09T11:15:00.000-05:002023-11-09T11:15:14.375-05:00RIP - Dennis Higgins<div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://1967topps.blogspot.com/2017/07/dennis-higgins-52.html">Dennis Higgins</a>, a pitcher for 4 teams from 1966-72, passed away on November 3, 2023 at age 84.
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnOkPRdQc83urVhXfUHchSzuFPqwy0SEBCRJIHFqiQBingf5iynOiTT59Pm5baBwJfoxyNzsJzDhyphenhyphen32T8wLzt6mZEDf2xdwGr6OiUyVmfuFqfcGNWX8LjJ1GBD6yebDoJxdKiK9C6XwBrTBHRqlB_dDineHUnNrdAQx_ahxe6SuN5UjSy1CK2aUUh8gaE/s701/1967%20Dennis%20Higgins%20%28f%29.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="701" data-original-width="499" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnOkPRdQc83urVhXfUHchSzuFPqwy0SEBCRJIHFqiQBingf5iynOiTT59Pm5baBwJfoxyNzsJzDhyphenhyphen32T8wLzt6mZEDf2xdwGr6OiUyVmfuFqfcGNWX8LjJ1GBD6yebDoJxdKiK9C6XwBrTBHRqlB_dDineHUnNrdAQx_ahxe6SuN5UjSy1CK2aUUh8gaE/s400/1967%20Dennis%20Higgins%20%28f%29.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">
Higgins pitched 2 seasons each for the White Sox, Senators, and Cardinals. He also pitched 1 season for the Indians. Over his career, he appeared in 241 games, all but 2 in relief. </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">Some fans may remember that between February and August 1968, the White Sox and Senators traded Ron Hansen for Tim Cullen twice. Higgins was included in that first trade. </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">He was a cousin of the White Sox' 2002-2008 third baseman Joe Crede. </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.newstribune.com/obituaries/2023/nov/08/dennis-higgins-345306/">Jefferson City (MO) News Tribune obituary</a> </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div>Jim from Downingtownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01537007940455183397noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2949817489487564796.post-50827561776313792572023-11-06T09:00:00.001-05:002023-11-06T09:00:00.147-05:00RIP - Dick Drago<div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://1970topps.blogspot.com/2020/04/dick-drago-37.html">Dick Drago</a>, one of the original starting pitchers for the Kansas City Royals beginning in 1969, passed away on November 2, 2023 at age 78.
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtGqdZZzLvQn526Qmb6KoCATLXeagbhMxQJuqgElUPLUHu4T83h-RXl3S1rZTTdvwSLBGVVVsjApK7g6lvjxFQCTJOhIZvLd9eoYLBh3wwvpZ5ePk-oe5YliuapLguxsQWQJd7y9wG2jSXie_iCDYkpDxpzCTqajfjrp4ttjCfOzjelUqT1qmJZUVDiWg/s520/1970%20Dick%20Drago%20%28f%29.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="520" data-original-width="368" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtGqdZZzLvQn526Qmb6KoCATLXeagbhMxQJuqgElUPLUHu4T83h-RXl3S1rZTTdvwSLBGVVVsjApK7g6lvjxFQCTJOhIZvLd9eoYLBh3wwvpZ5ePk-oe5YliuapLguxsQWQJd7y9wG2jSXie_iCDYkpDxpzCTqajfjrp4ttjCfOzjelUqT1qmJZUVDiWg/s400/1970%20Dick%20Drago%20%28f%29.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">
Drago made his major-league debut with the Royals at the start of the 1969 season, and pitched 5 years for them. By 1971, he was the team's ace. </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">He also pitched for the Red Sox in 2 stints totaling 5 seasons, 1 1/2 years with the Angels and a half-season with the Orioles, and then finished his career in 1981 with the Mariners. </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">At first a starter, he converted to relieving in his 2nd year with the Red Sox. In 1976, Drago surrendered Hank Aaron's 755th and final home run.
</div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.boston.com/sports/boston-red-sox/2023/11/04/dick-drago-red-sox-pitcher-dies-age-78-obituary-news-the-dragon/">Boston.com obituary</a> </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://twitter.com/Royals/status/1720841733716521356">Kansas City Royals twitter</a> </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div>Jim from Downingtownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01537007940455183397noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2949817489487564796.post-22576739487250932352023-11-01T11:42:00.007-04:002023-11-01T11:53:21.920-04:00RIP - Frank Howard<div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://1967topps.blogspot.com/2010/01/frank-howard-255.html">Frank Howard</a>, a/k/a The Capital Punisher, passed away on October 30, 2023 at age 87.
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV1upC9nIBxiUeDcEYAD8G8UlEvNvkio0HkAarxIaxhOmWCCg5qmMX3244kn1wF2Wtfd3LS3vEzD3L14zrfPIKUHd0AJ_DxrqEaFZZvo7GzOhjVX4T0VOLhgBhI9tivD7qLpqNp2Z-o2xObYYUAsOdJyzmVpQomSKOEyDrfnt9pw5AZb4U590fRuL6C8E/s386/1968%20Frank%20Howard.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="386" data-original-width="276" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV1upC9nIBxiUeDcEYAD8G8UlEvNvkio0HkAarxIaxhOmWCCg5qmMX3244kn1wF2Wtfd3LS3vEzD3L14zrfPIKUHd0AJ_DxrqEaFZZvo7GzOhjVX4T0VOLhgBhI9tivD7qLpqNp2Z-o2xObYYUAsOdJyzmVpQomSKOEyDrfnt9pw5AZb4U590fRuL6C8E/s400/1968%20Frank%20Howard.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">
Howard was one on the top sluggers of the 1960s. The 1960 Rookie of the Year with the Dodgers, he was traded to the Senators before the 1965 season. </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">He led the AL with 44 homers in both 1968 and 1970. He also hit 48 homers in 1969, second behind Harmon Killebrew's 49. Howard also led the AL with 126 RBI in 1970. </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">He made the AL All-star team every year from 1968 to 1971. </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">Howard retired after playing for the Tigers in 1973 and in Japan in 1974. </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">After his playing career, he coached for the Brewers from 1977-80 and 1984–86, Mets (1982-84 and 1994–96), Mariners (1987–88), Yankees (1989, 1991–93), and Devil Rays (1998–99). He also managed the Padres in 1981 and the Mets in 1983. Since 2000 he worked for the Yankees. <br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.mlb.com/news/frank-howard-dies">MLB.com obituary</a>
</div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2023/11/01/frank-howard-thomas-boswell/">Washington Post obituary</a> </div><div style="text-align: left;">
</div>Jim from Downingtownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01537007940455183397noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2949817489487564796.post-35544645018863060082023-10-28T10:00:00.001-04:002023-10-28T10:00:00.160-04:00RIP - Rob Gardner<div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://1968topps.blogspot.com/2019/12/rob-gardner-219.html">Rob Gardner</a>, who pitched for six teams over eight seasons, passed away on October 21, 2023 at age 78.
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1YQ0Ji83QWcCRPOK4NZSwTjLXC-XC3Iy05fFeJEhcNTSTSe2WtZf-W10qMc5UCaXyG2TBz6K2-bbN0_2c-aR5F8bDUNOVVzlEAJfqcA7S27jmsHoG4CbKL6mcVSDW2SKhNQ_-fOPbsvo4P-e8UqZLtmUsmMFt6UO0tYfSmhORb0jqEJBXKwebusBLL0w/s2056/1968%20Rob%20Gardner%20%28f%29.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="2056" data-original-width="1472" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1YQ0Ji83QWcCRPOK4NZSwTjLXC-XC3Iy05fFeJEhcNTSTSe2WtZf-W10qMc5UCaXyG2TBz6K2-bbN0_2c-aR5F8bDUNOVVzlEAJfqcA7S27jmsHoG4CbKL6mcVSDW2SKhNQ_-fOPbsvo4P-e8UqZLtmUsmMFt6UO0tYfSmhORb0jqEJBXKwebusBLL0w/s400/1968%20Rob%20Gardner%20%28f%29.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">
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. </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">He was primarily a reliever, although he started half his games in 1966 (his most playing time) and 1972 (his best season). </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">After his playing career, he became a fireman and a paramedic.
</div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://nypost.com/2023/10/26/sports/rob-gardner-former-yankees-and-mets-pitcher-dead-at-78/">New York Post obituary</a>
</div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.pressconnects.com/obituaries/pnys0606377">Obituary</a> </div><div style="text-align: left;">
</div>Jim from Downingtownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01537007940455183397noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2949817489487564796.post-83088584555005878742023-10-26T15:10:00.001-04:002023-10-26T15:10:46.449-04:00RIP - Wayne Comer<div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://1970topps.blogspot.com/2016/10/wayne-comer-323.html">Wayne Comer</a>, an outfielder for the Tigers, Pilots, and Senators, passed away on October 4, 2023 at age 79.
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFFXOCwkTVgj9uGecl5ECBwGAiNHotmxCuHAGaRt5g5moOT_JoSlJz6kwf_WLpOgi7m4X2oMzIk0YpAWS64iZ_Mpzw-00TUSDm-P62_E2fEgF-QECHFhHr0WS8wn5igMEBHn5dHcbGM09AmF1skJM4Z8rZBPGLm9p6hDIwmkBd5GsVIb1UYdM9Wi7mbvo/s691/1970%20Wayne%20Comer%20%28f%29.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="691" data-original-width="490" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFFXOCwkTVgj9uGecl5ECBwGAiNHotmxCuHAGaRt5g5moOT_JoSlJz6kwf_WLpOgi7m4X2oMzIk0YpAWS64iZ_Mpzw-00TUSDm-P62_E2fEgF-QECHFhHr0WS8wn5igMEBHn5dHcbGM09AmF1skJM4Z8rZBPGLm9p6hDIwmkBd5GsVIb1UYdM9Wi7mbvo/s400/1970%20Wayne%20Comer%20%28f%29.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">
Comer may be best known as Jim Bouton's nemesis in the book "Ball Four". </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">Debuting with the Tigers in September 1967, Comer played most of the 1968 season with the eventual World Champions. </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">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. </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">He moved on to the Senators in mid-May 1970, but was only a spare outfielder for the Nats.</div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">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. </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">He retired after playing for the Phillies' AAA team in 1974. </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">Comer was a high school baseball coach for the last 20+ years of his life. </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/mlb/tigers/2023/10/06/wayne-comer-member-of-tigers-1968-championship-team-dies-at-age-79/71085426007/">Detroit News obituary</a></div><div style="text-align: left;">
</div>Jim from Downingtownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01537007940455183397noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2949817489487564796.post-74639202407362972212023-10-14T18:03:00.001-04:002023-10-14T18:03:06.845-04:00RIP - Casey Cox<div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://1967topps.blogspot.com/2018/12/casey-cox-414.html">Casey Cox</a>, a pitcher for the Washington Senators in the late 1960s and early 1970s, passed away on October 2, 2023 at age 82.
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioJ-EBcia0TdnKPeabFHr2zSFkcZ-_wWm_petFRcmMNC3EgQNBWeL5paAeUpNlEEcBo19ML0zWayM2-Y2tX7BxBLSBeSw0mdHTuLXBqBVna8oAo8xA5WZib10V6dY_CmnaZNAzFWONzq_d5hA2gHGwi5lusobWDvKMBg1vPFtO71as1NJqHomWfzrlK0c/s696/1967%20Casey%20Cox%20%28f%29.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="696" data-original-width="490" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioJ-EBcia0TdnKPeabFHr2zSFkcZ-_wWm_petFRcmMNC3EgQNBWeL5paAeUpNlEEcBo19ML0zWayM2-Y2tX7BxBLSBeSw0mdHTuLXBqBVna8oAo8xA5WZib10V6dY_CmnaZNAzFWONzq_d5hA2gHGwi5lusobWDvKMBg1vPFtO71as1NJqHomWfzrlK0c/s400/1967%20Casey%20Cox%20%28f%29.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">
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. </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">He was primarily a relief pitcher, but was in their starting rotation for all of 1970. </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">Cox also played for the Yankees from September 1972 until his release in mid-April 1973.
</div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://sabr.org/bioproj/person/casey-cox/">Casey Cox' SABR page</a> </div><div style="text-align: left;">
</div>Jim from Downingtownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01537007940455183397noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2949817489487564796.post-18621301589490617092023-10-08T19:54:00.004-04:002023-10-08T19:54:44.227-04:00RIP - Joe Christopher<div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://1966topps.blogspot.com/2010/02/final-card-joe-christopher.html">Joe Christopher</a>, an outfielder for the Pirates, Mets, and Red Sox, passed away on October 3, 2023 at age 87.
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9NOOpQPTpDuPDaVXMTQAc0LERPir6jt_P8fNpFDPEMnqxXQf8KAkYK7yttFI-cjZ75AU1EAYE524ZAzYI3EpPL4rvuxiCHE41TPYA0NK2jnHrg_K0VP3svHCt9uXfOXJJo6N5bTz5W9ZKWIhqlThMu_RiPKMBCROhxDFDTB98s7Vu1m_Xob6g1DAD1Zw/s701/1966%20Joe%20Christopher%20%28f%29.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="701" data-original-width="492" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9NOOpQPTpDuPDaVXMTQAc0LERPir6jt_P8fNpFDPEMnqxXQf8KAkYK7yttFI-cjZ75AU1EAYE524ZAzYI3EpPL4rvuxiCHE41TPYA0NK2jnHrg_K0VP3svHCt9uXfOXJJo6N5bTz5W9ZKWIhqlThMu_RiPKMBCROhxDFDTB98s7Vu1m_Xob6g1DAD1Zw/s400/1966%20Joe%20Christopher%20%28f%29.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">
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). </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">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. </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">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. </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2023/10/05/sports/baseball/joe-christopher-dead.html">New York Times obituary</a>
</div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://nypost.com/2023/10/03/joe-christopher-member-of-1962-mets-dead-at-87/">New York Post obituary</a> </div><div style="text-align: left;">
</div>Jim from Downingtownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01537007940455183397noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2949817489487564796.post-33888604478494892772023-10-01T14:00:00.002-04:002023-10-01T14:00:00.173-04:00RIP - Danny Morris<div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">Danny Morris, a pitcher for the Twins in the 1960s, passed away on September 23, 2023 at age 77.
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTTA5AIaz1bm9JiCi0t8J2aNnGX0L8an5lFHfJrGrPc-CInW2tqQ4dYTTki3LQMvTqvoQlNHsXbQ1IRsRaIe6GmFOVRz6QR8U16JXVGYJ6BGOamSRwCQBBoIQuwqWHE6o77qHBulrnWlEQopwHlZOOzYjJhbxURoiuFikIHy0r1T-Qfuqwvur-VijymlM/s350/1969%20Twins%20Rookies.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="248" data-original-width="350" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTTA5AIaz1bm9JiCi0t8J2aNnGX0L8an5lFHfJrGrPc-CInW2tqQ4dYTTki3LQMvTqvoQlNHsXbQ1IRsRaIe6GmFOVRz6QR8U16JXVGYJ6BGOamSRwCQBBoIQuwqWHE6o77qHBulrnWlEQopwHlZOOzYjJhbxURoiuFikIHy0r1T-Qfuqwvur-VijymlM/w320-h226/1969%20Twins%20Rookies.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">
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. </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">He won 16 games in the minors in 1965 and again in 1968. </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.messenger-inquirer.com/obituaries/danny-walker-morris/article_418dfbe1-f01c-56ab-995c-3d4c17843780.html">Obituary</a> </div><div style="text-align: left;">
</div>Jim from Downingtownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01537007940455183397noreply@blogger.com0