RIP to Rick Renick, who followed up a 5-year stint as a major leaguer with an extensive career as a coach and manager at the minor- and major-league level. Renick, a resident of Sarasota, FL, died on January 31 at the age of 81. He played for the Minnesota Twins from 1968 to 1972 as … Continue reading Obituary: Rick Renick (1944-2026)
When the New York Yankees beat the Milwaukee Braves in the 1958 World Series, one of the team's relievers was 27-year-old rookie Zack Monroe. Though his career was short, he earned his World Series ring with some quality appearances for the Yankees over the second half of the season. Monroe died on January 18 in … Continue reading Obituary: Zack Monroe (1931-2026)
For much of the last decade, there was one sure-fire sign that your favorite baseball team was serious about winning the World Series. It was't what they did at the trade deadline, and it wasn't the hot prospect they promoted in September. It was whether or not they added Terrance Gore to the active roster. … Continue reading Obituary: Terrance Gore (1991-2026)
RIP to Rob Maurer, a former first baseman and a Hall of Fame ballplayer for the University of Evansville. He hit one of the most significant home runs in the school's history, in fact. He died unexpectedly in his home on January 21, just two weeks after his 59th birthday. Maurer's 6-year career in professional … Continue reading Obituary: Rob Maurer (1967-2026)
By Al Doyle Khris Davis couldn't have arranged these numbers if he tried. The former Milwaukee Brewers and Oakland A's left fielder/DH hit .247 in every season from 2015 to 2018. This unprecedented record of consistency is just a part of what the king of just under .250 accomplished. The right-handed hitting Davis had an impressive … Continue reading Weird Stats: Khris Khonsistent
RIP to Dave Schmidt, who played in 15 games as a catcher for the 1981 Boston Red Sox. He died on January 19 at the age of 69. Schmidt also made a name for himself in a different sport -- zebra racing. He wrote the screenplay for "Racing Stripes," a 2005 movie about a zebra … Continue reading Obituary: Dave F. Schmidt (1956-2026)
RIP to right-handed pitcher Stu Tate, who played briefly for the 1989 San Francisco Giants during their September push for a division title. He pitched in 2 major-league games as part of a 7-year professional baseball career. Tate died of a heart attack on January 13. He was 63 years old. Stuart Douglas Tate was … Continue reading Obituary: Stu Tate (1962-2026)
For the first five years of his major-league career, Wilbur Wood pitched in 73 games and had 1 victory to his credit. Everything changed when he finally joined the right team at the right time -- with the right pitch. Thanks to his knuckleball, he was one of the best and most durable pitchers in … Continue reading Obituary: Wilbur Wood (1941-2026)
April 13, 1954, is a memorable day in baseball history, as it was the day that a 20-year-old outfielder named Henry Aaron debuted for the Milwaukee Braves. He went 0-for-5 as the starting left fielder in the team's 9-8 loss to the Cincinnati Reds, and he wouldn't record his first AL/NL hit until the team's … Continue reading Obituary: Ray Crone (1931-2026)
RIP to Dave Giusti, one of the most valuable players on the 1971 World Champion Pirates. He was the team's closer and was nearly unhittable in the postseason. Giusti, a 15-year veteran of the majors, died on January 11 at the age of 86. He played for the Houston Colt .45s/Astros (1962, 1964-68), St. Louis … Continue reading Obituary: Dave Giusti (1939-2026)
