RIP - Bill Plummer

 

Bill Plummer, the Reds' backup catcher from 1972-77, passed away on March 12, 2024 at age 76. 

 

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. 

 

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. 

 

After his release during Spring Training 1978, he was signed by the Mariners, and spent his final season as Bob Stinson's backup. 

 

Plummer retired after playing for the Mariners' AAA team in Spokane during the 1979 season. 

 

He coached for the Mariners during the 1980s, and managed the team in 1992.  

 

Cincinnati Enquirer obituary 

 

RIP - Don Gullett

 

Don Gullett, a starting pitcher for the Reds in the 1970s, passed away on February 14, 2024 at age 73.

 

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). 

 

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. 

 

Gullett surrendered Willie Mays' 660th and final home run. (He also surrendered Hank Aaron's 660th homer.) 

 

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. 

 

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. 

 

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. 

 

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.  

 

WLWT (Cincinnati) obituary  

 

Fox Sports obituary 

  

RIP - Jim Hannan

 

Jim Hannan, a pitcher for the Senators during the 1960s, passed away on February 9, 2024 at age 84.

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. 

 

After his playing career, he founded the Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association. 

 

WFTV-9 (Orlando) obituary  

 

MLBPAA obituary

    

RIP - Brant Alyea

 

Brant Alyea, a corner outfielder for the Senators, Twins, and Athletics from 1968-72, passed away on February 4, 2024 at age 83.

Alyea played 2 seasons each for the Senators (1968-69) and Twins (1970-71), then split the 1972 season between the Athletics and Cardinals. 

 

After his playing career, he worked at a casino in Atlantic City.  

 

Obituary 

  

And Now For Something Completely Different

 

No sports today. Instead, something that REALLY matters... 

 

1% of the population control the world 

4% of the population are their puppets 

90% of the population are sleeping zombies 

5% of the population are trying to wake up the 90% 

 

The 1% make sure the 4% stop the 5% from waking up the 90%. 

 

 

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. 

 

What group are you in?

RIP - Al McBean

 

Al McBean, who pitched for the Pirates in the 1960s, passed away on January 31, 2024 at age 85.

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. 

 

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. 

 

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. 

 

Pittsburgh Baseball Now obituary  

 

Virgin Islands Daily News obituary 

   

RIP - Jimy Williams

 

Jimy Williams, a coach and manager from 1980-2008, passed away on January 29, 2024 at age 80.

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. 

 

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. 

 

Williams managed the Blue Jays (1986-89), Red Sox (1997-2001), and Astros (2002-04). 

 

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.  

 

MLB obituary 

   

RIP - Bud Harrelson

 

Bud Harrelson, the Mets' shortstop for 12 seasons from 1966-77, passed away on January 10, 2024 at age 79.

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. 

 

Harrelson started 144 games in 1967, more than any other Met except Tommy Davis. 

 

He made the All-Star team twice, and played in 2 World Series. 

 

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.

 

He played for the Rangers in his final season (1980). 

 

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. 

 

Associated Press obituary  

 

New York Post obituary

    

RIP - Billy Gardner

 

Billy Gardner, a 2nd baseman for the Orioles and others from 1954-1963, passed away on January 3, 2024 at age 96.

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. 

 

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. 

 

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. 

 

He played for the Red Sox in '62 and '63, and for their AAA team in Seattle in 1964, before retiring. 

 

Gardner managed in the minor leagues from 1967 to 1980, then Managed the Twins from 1981-85, and the Royals in 1987.  

 

Minneapolis Star-Tribune obituary 

 

Sports Illustrated obituary 

   

RIP - Dick Thoenen

 

Dick Thoenen, who pitched 1 inning of 1 game for the Phillies in 1967, passed away on December 21, 2023 at age 75.

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.  

 

Obituary 

 

RIP - Chuck Harrison

 

Chuck Harrison, a 1st baseman for the Astros in the mid-1960s. passed away on December 30, 2023 at age 82.

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.) 

 

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.  

 

MSN.com obituary 

   

RIP - Bob Priddy

Bob Priddy, who pitched for 6 teams from 1962-71, passed away on September 28, 2023 at age 83.

Priddy played parts of '62 and '64 with the Pirates and part of '65 and all of '66 with the Giants. 

 

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. 

 

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. 

 

Obituary