In a year that has been filled with unspeakable tragedy, baseball seems trivial by comparison. Yet, the sport has experienced its own share of misfortune, marked by the death of many former major league stars, prominent writers and broadcasters, and even current-day minor league players. The following is a list of many of those people, all associated with our beloved sport in one significant way or another, whose lives were lost in 2001:
Too Young To Die
Gerik Baxter (Died on July 29): A first-round draft choice of the San Diego Padres in 1999, this talented 21-year-old right-hander died in the crash of his truck near Indio, California.
Brian Cole (Died on March 31): The 22-year-old New York Mets farmhand, an outfielder with speed and power, died in a spring training traffic accident. Considered one of the organization's top prospects among position players, Cole batted a combined .301 with 19 home runs and 86 RBIs for the Mets' affiliates at St. Lucie (Class-A) and Binghamton (Class-AA) in 2000. The Mets named an organizational award in Cole's memory.
Miguel del Toro (Died on October 6, 2001): The 29-year-old right-hander was killed in an automobile accident near Obregon, Mexico. He pitched in Japan in 2001, after brief stints in middle relief with the San Francisco Giants in 1999 and 2000.
Mark Hilde (Died on July 29): A 2001 draft pick of the Oakland A's, the unsigned third baseman died in the same car crash that claimed the life of Gerik Baxter. Hilde was only 18.
John LeRoy (Died on June 25): This 26-year-old right-hander with Sioux City of the independent Northern League died unexpectedly from a brain aneurysm. Originally signed by the Atlanta Braves, LeRoy pitched one game for the team at the major league level. He was then selected by Tampa Bay in the expansion draft, but never pitched for the Devil Rays.
Mike Weinberg (Died on September 11): A former minor league outfielder in the Detroit Tigers' system and a New York fireman, the 34-year-old Weinberg was off duty on the day of the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center, but decided to report to the scene. He perished when the buildings of the Twin Towers collapsed. Weinberg was the only former professional baseball player-either active or retired-who was killed in the attacks.
Hall of Famers
Lou Boudreau (Died on August 10): Remarkably successful as a player-manager, especially given his youthful age, the precocious Boudreau led the Cleveland Indians to the World Championship in 1948. He also devised the innovative "Williams Shift," an unusual defensive alignment that attempted to combat the pull-hitting tendencies of fellow Hall of Famer Ted Williams. Boudreau also managed the Boston Red Sox, Kansas City Athletics, and Chicago Cubs, before becoming a popular radio broadcaster in the "Windy City." Boudreau worked WGN Cubs broadcasts with Jack Brickhouse and Vince Lloyd, among others, before retiring in 1988.
Eddie Mathews (Died on February 18): One of the most underrated of all the Hall of Famers, Mathews blasted 512 home runs and drove in 1,453 runs during a spectacular 17-year career. Along with Hank Aaron, Mathews became part of one of the most devastating hitting duos of all time. A patient power hitter, he led the National League in home runs twice and in walks four times. Also a capable defensive third baseman, Mathews was the only man to play for all three incarnations of the Braves (in Boston, Milwaukee, and Atlanta). After a brief stint with the Houston Astros, he finished his career as a backup infielder and pinch-hitter for the 1968 World Champion Detroit Tigers. Mathews then became the manager of the Braves, serving his final season in that capacity in 1974, when Aaron broke Babe Ruth's all-time home run record.
Willie Stargell (Died on April 9): Affectionately known as "Pops" for his extraordinary leadership skills, Stargell hit 475 home runs over a 21-year career with the Pittsburgh Pirates. He led the National League in home runs in 1971 and '73, and helped the Pirates to a pair of World Championships during the seventies. He is best remembered for his contributions to the 1979 championship team, when he became known as the father figure of the "We Are Family" Pirates. Stargell regularly handed out gold stars to teammates as rewards for "little things" they had done in helping the team win. Known for his warm personality and friendly sense of humor, Stargell donated much of his spare time to the fight against sickle cell anemia, helping to increase awareness of the disease in the early seventies. After his playing days, Stargell served the Pirates and Atlanta Braves as a coach, and returned to the Pirate organization as an assistant to the general manager. He was still employed by the Pirates at the time of his death, which coincided with the opening of the new PNC Park in Pittsburgh.
Journeymen
Tommie Agee (Died on January 22): Combining speed, power, and defensive ability in center field, Agee hit 130 home runs and stole 167 bases over a 12-year career. One of the most popular players in the history of the New York Mets, Agree remains best known for making two acrobatic catches in Game Three of the 1969 World Series. Agee also hit a career-high 26 home runs that season, helping the Mets win the National League East on their way to the World Championship.
Curt Blefary (Died on January 28): Nicknamed "Clank" for his legendary defensive limitations, the 1965 American League Rookie of the Year hit 112 home runs over an eight-year career with the Baltimore Orioles, Houston Astros, New York Yankees, Oakland A's, and San Diego Padres. Although the iron-gloved Blefary proved a liability at almost every position, he did offer versatility as a catcher-first baseman-outfielder and occasional third baseman. At one time, he was said to keep eight different fielding gloves in his locker. After his playing days, Blefary tried unsuccessfully to continue his career in baseball as a coach, but claimed that major league teams blackballed him because of his outspoken nature.
Bob Buhl (Died on February 16): A capable right-hander, Buhl won 166 games over a 15-year career with the Milwaukee Braves, Chicago Cubs, and Philadelphia Phillies. His efforts helped the Braves defeat the New York Yankees in the 1957 World Series. Although effective as a pitcher, Buhl also gained notoriety for his futile efforts as a hitter. He once went 70 consecutive at-bats without a hit.
Bubba Church (Died on September 17): One of the members of the famed "Whiz Kids," Emory "Bubba" Church won eight games and posted a 2.73 ERA for the 1950 Philadelphia Phillies, who captured the National League pennant. Unfortunately, he was unable to pitch in the World Series against the New York Yankees after being hit in the face with a line drive during a late-season game. The talented right-hander won a career-high 15 games the following season, but the Phillies failed to repeat as NL champs. Church later pitched stints for the Cincinnati Reds and Chicago Cubs, wrapping up his career with a record of 36-37 and an ERA of 4.10.
Ferris Fain (Died on October 18): This controversial first baseman won American League batting championships in 1951 and '52 and earned five All-Star selections before seeing his career cut short by injury. Although an effective line-drive hitter for most of his nine major league seasons, Fain often struggled in his relationships with teammates. After his playing days, he was imprisoned for growing marijuana, serving 18 months behind bars in the late 1980s.
Chief Hogsett (Died on July 17): Elon "Chief" Hogsett compiled a 5.02 ERA and a record of 63-87 over an 11-year tenure in the major leagues. Pitching as a starter and reliever, he spent time with the Detroit Tigers, St. Louis Browns, and Washington Senators. Although the left-hander struggled for most of his career, he enjoyed some success in 1932, when he posted 11 wins and seven saves for Detroit. He also pitched well in the 1934 and '35 World Series, allowing only one earned run in eight and one-third innings of relief.
Jim Hughes (Died on August 13): Used mostly as a reliever, Hughes won 15 games and saves 39 others in six years with the Brooklyn Dodgers, Chicago Cubs, and Chicago White Sox. He pitched effectively for the Dodgers in 1954, saving a league-high 24 games to set a (since-broken) franchise record. Hughes was not related to the pitcher of the same name who played for the Minnesota Twins in the 1970s.
Woody Jensen (Died on October 5): Though not a journeyman in the true sense of the word, this lifetime Pittsburgh Pirate was a singles-hitting outfielder who batted .285 during a career that spanned most of the hard-hitting 1930s. The Bucs' veteran enjoyed his best season in 1935, when he batted .324 and collected 203 hits.
Bob Keegan (Died on June 20): This Chicago White Sox right-hander didn't reach the major leagues until the age of 32, but became an All-Star in his sophomore season, winning 16 games with a 3.09 ERA in 1954. Three years later, he hurled a no-hitter against the Washington Senators.
Newt Kimball (Died on March 22): A National League reliever for six seasons, Kimball pitched for the Chicago Cubs, Brooklyn Dodgers, St. Louis Cardinals, and Philadelphia Phillies. In 1940, the journeyman right-hander posted a career-best 3.02 ERA while splitting time between the Dodgers and Redbirds.
Tom McBride (Died on December 26): This singles-hitting outfielder of the World War II era batted a career-high .305 for the Boston Red Sox in 1945. The following season, he batted .301 in 61 games, as the Red Sox won the American League pennant. McBride concluded his six-year career with the Washington Senators in 1948.
Jo-Jo Moore (Died on April 1): A 12-year veteran of the New York Giants, Moore batted .298 over his career and contributed to three National League pennant-winners and one World Championship team. "The Gause Ghost," a native of Gause, Texas, was named to six All-Star teams.
Hugh Mulcahy (Died on October 19): Dubbed "Losing Pitcher" Mulcahy, this luckless right-hander had a habit of pitching creditably for bad teams. He led the National League in losses twice, suffering a career-high 22 defeats in 1940. Ironically, Mulcahy made the All-Star team that summer.
Hank Sauer (Died on August 24): Though a much-debated choice, this slugging outfielder won the National League MVP Award in 1952, batting .270 with league-leading figures in home runs (37) and RBIs (121). A 15-year veteran of the Cincinnati Reds, Chicago Cubs, St. Louis Cardinals, and both the New York and San Francisco Giants, Sauer finished his career with two All-Star Game selections, 288 home runs, and a .496 slugging percentage.
Bill Stafford (Died on September 19): An eight-year veteran of the New York Yankees and Kansas City A's, Stafford achieved most of his recognition by posting identical 14-9 records in the Bronx Bombers' World Championship seasons of 1961 and '62. The mercurial right-hander never reached double figures in victories again, and wrapped up his career with the A's in 1967.
Eric Tipton (Died on August 29): He played seven seasons as an outfielder with the Philadelphia Athletics and Cincinnati Reds, batting a career-high .301 in 1944. Tipton was better known for his exploits on the gridiron, which earned him election to the College Football Hall of Fame.
Hal White (Died on April 21): This smallish right-hander (5'10, 170 pounds) won 46 games over a 12-year big league career. As a member of the Detroit Tigers, he won 12 games in his first full season in 1942, but never matched that level of success again. He also pitched for the St. Louis Browns and Cardinals.
Gene Woodling (Died on June 2): A solid major league outfielder who played for 17 seasons, Woodling contributed to five consecutive World Championship teams with the New York Yankees. In 1953, he led the American League with a .429 on-base percentage. Although best known for his years with the Yankees, Woodling also played for five other teams, including the Cleveland Indians, Pittsburgh Pirates, Baltimore Orioles, Washington Senators, and New York Giants.
Negro Leagues Legends
Ike Brown (Died on May 17): At the time of his retirement from the Detroit Tigers in 1974, Brown was one of the last alumni of the Negro Leagues (along with Hank Aaron and Willie Mays) still active in major league baseball. Playing as a backup, he contributed to the Tigers' American League East title in 1972. Although mostly a utility infielder and outfielder with Detroit, Brown became a popular and recognizable figure in Motown because of his trademark glasses and unusually burly build. He was often mistakenly identified as the brother of Tiger teammate Gates Brown, to whom he bore no relation.
Sam Jethroe (Died on June 16): One of many victims of baseball's color line, the talented Jethroe didn't reach the major leagues until the age of 32, when he became the oldest player to win the Rookie of the Year Award. Starring for the Boston Braves, he scored 100 runs in his freshman year, but played only three additional big league seasons. The fleet-footed Jethroe played most of his prime years with the Negro Leagues' Cleveland Buckeyes.
One-Hit Wonders
Tom Cheney (Died on November 1): He won only 19 games during a major league career that spanned eight seasons, but entered the record books with his single performance of September 12, 1962. Pitching for the expansion Washington Senators, the right-handed throwing Cheney struck out 21 Baltimore Orioles in 16 innings, a record for most K's in a single game. Cheney also made three relief appearances for the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 1960 World Series.
Dick Selma (Died on August 29): This hard-throwing right-hander experienced only mild success during a 10-year career with six teams, but pitched like a hybrid of Goose Gossage and Mariano Rivera in 1970. Working out of the Philadelphia Phillies' bullpen, he fanned 153 batters in 134 innings, setting a National League single-season strikeout record for relievers. Selma also saved 22 games that season, but few came in the cozy one-inning stints afforded most current-day relievers. Sadly, his 1970 season has fallen into a category of forgotten accomplishments. Selma also pitched for the New York Mets, San Diego Padres, Chicago Cubs, Milwaukee Brewers, and California Angels.
Colorful and Charismatic
Bo Belinsky (Died on November 23): This one-of-a-kind left-hander won only 28 games over an eight-year career, but gained notoriety as baseball's biggest playboy of the 1960s. He dated several movie stars, including Ann-Margret, Mamie Van Doren and Tina Louise (Ginger Grant of Gilligan's Island fame). As a member of the expansion Los Angeles Angels, he also became the first major leaguer to throw a no-hitter on the West Coast, shackling the Baltimore Orioles in 1962. A rookie that season, he started out with a record of 5-0, but never again matched that level of on-the-field success.
Lawrence "Crash" Davis (Died on August 31): He played only three nondescript seasons with the Philadelphia A's, but his successful minor league career and accompanying exploits provided the basis for Kevin Costner's character in the hit film, Bull Durham. Davis, who played primarily as an infielder, starred for numerous minor league teams, including the Durham Bulls of the 1940s.
Joe Lovitto (Died on May 19): The switch-hitting Lovitto played four unproductive seasons with the Texas Rangers, but his charismatic personality made him popular with fans. As a rookie in 1972, he started in center field for the recently transplanted Rangers in their first-ever game in Texas. After his playing days, he remained a lifelong resident of the Lone Star State.
Eddie Popowski (Died on December 4): Immortalized by former major league pitcher Bill Lee during Ken Burns' Baseball documentary, the diminutive Popowski never played in the major leagues, but faithfully served the Boston Red Sox for 65 years. Although he worked in a variety of jobs-including recent assignments as a spring training instructor-he is best remembered as the team's third-base coach for seven years, including the "Impossible Dream" season of 1967.
Managers
Bill Rigney (Died on February 2): Although Rigney played eight seasons with the New York Giants, he's best remembered as a manager for the San Francisco Giants, Los Angeles-California Angels, and Minnesota Twins. In 1970, he guided the Twins to the American League Western Division title. He later scouted for Charlie Finley's World Championship teams in Oakland, worked frequently as a color broadcaster, and served most recently as a special assistant in the A's' front office.
Scouts
Nelson Burbrink (Died on April 11): He played one season in the majors with the St. Louis Cardinals, but is best remembered as the scout who signed Tom Seaver to his first professional contract with the New York Mets.
Leo Labossiere (Died on September 17): A scout for the Houston Astros at the time of his death, Labossiere worked in baseball for 50 years. A frequent assistant to current Chicago White Sox executive Roland Hemond, he was once named Scout of the Year.
Joe Stephenson (Died on September 20): A legend in Boston, Stephenson gained most of his fame as a scout for the Red Sox, signing future standouts Bill Lee, Dwight Evans, and Fred Lynn for the organization. He signed over 50 major leaguers while working exclusively for the Red Sox. Stephenson also played briefly in the major leagues in the 1940s. Stephenson's son, Jerry, pitched in the major leagues for the Red Sox, Seattle Pilots, and Los Angeles Dodgers, and his grandson, Brian, has toiled in the farm system of the Dodgers.
Front Office Staff
Mary Anargeros (Died on September 11): Serving as executive secretary to three commissioners (Ford Frick, William Eckert, and Bowie Kuhn), Anargeros worked for 48 years in baseball. She began her career in 1936, as secretary to Frick, who was National League president at the time. Although Anargeros died on September 11, her death was unrelated to the terrorist attacks.
George Bradley (Died on September 14): At the time of his death, Bradley worked as a special assistant to Chicago White Sox general manager Ken Williams. During a 34-year career as an executive and scout, Bradley also worked for the Philadelphia Phillies, Detroit Tigers, and California Angels. Widely respected for his scouting ability-which earned him East Coast Scout of the Year honors in 2000-Bradley reached his highest front office capacity when he became the general manager of the New York Yankees.
Jimmy Bragan (Died on June 2): The president of the Southern League from 1981 to 1994, Bragan enjoyed a varied career in baseball. After playing in the farm systems of the Brooklyn Dodgers and Cincinnati Reds, Bragan coached in both the minors and majors, working for the Cincinnati Reds, Montreal Expos, and Milwaukee Brewers. He later became a collegiate head coach at Mississippi State and worked briefly as a big league scout.
Helen Robinson (Died on October 2): She never made a trade or scouted a player, but became a legendary figure as the switch board operator for the Boston Red Sox. Beginning her career in the Red Sox' offices in 1941, Robinson continued to work for the team up until the time of her death. Dubbed "one of the most powerful people at Fenway [Park]," Robinson was profiled in Dan Shaughnessy's book, At Fenway.
Umpires
Hank Soar (Died on December 24): Regarded as a tough but fair arbiter whose calls were rarely debated, Soar umpired American League games from 1950 to 1975. He worked three All-Star games and five World Series, including a memorable day as first base umpire for Don Larsen's perfect game in the 1956 Fall Classic. Prior to his umpiring career, Soar was a star football player for the New York Giants and once earned MVP honors in the American Football League.
The Media
Ritter Collett (Died on September 25): A member of the Baseball Writers' Association of America since 1947, the highly-respected Collett won the Hall of Fame's J. G Taylor Spink Award for writing excellence in 1991. The longtime Dayton, Ohio writer was one of the founders of baseball's Hutch Award, given to a major league player who has overcome serious adversity. Collett wrote five books and covered every World Series from 1946 to 2000.
Arne Harris (Died on October 6): He didn't broadcast games and never appeared on camera, but served as the acclaimed producer and director of Chicago Cubs broadcasts on WGN television. He became a legend in the Windy City, in large part because announcers from Jack Brickhouse to Harry Caray to Steve Stone made frequent references to him during broadcasts. The multi-talented Harris also served a three-year stint as the public address announcer for basketball's Harlem Globetrotters.
Frank Messer (Died on November 13): A longtime broadcaster for the Baltimore Orioles, New York Yankees, and Chicago White Sox, Messer announced major league games over a span of four decades. Messer gained most of his fame after he joined the Yankees' announcing crew in 1968, remaining a fixture in the Bronx until 1984. Although overshadowed by the more colorful antics of Phil Rizzuto and Bill White in the Yankee broadcast booth, the smooth-voiced Messer forged a reputation as a solid and effective play-by-play man. After Messer left the White Sox, he remained active in baseball by serving as master-of-ceremonies for the annual Old-Timers' Day celebration at Yankee Stadium.
Dick Schaap (Died on December 21): Although best known for his writing on football and his varied broadcasting efforts with ABC and ESPN, the versatile Schaap authored and edited a number of books on baseball-related themes, including baseball humor, the two-sport efforts of Bo Jackson, and the controversial New York Yankees of the 1970s. Schaap's son, Jeremy, continues to work for ESPN as a reporter and regularly covers spring training for the network.
Mascots
Ray Kelly (Died on November 11): Known as "Little Ray" Kelly, he became Babe Ruth's personal mascot at the age of three. Donning a uniform at most of The Babe's home games, Kelly spent 10 years as Ruth's "sidekick." Kelly continued to conduct interviews and make occasional public appearances up until the time of his death at the age of 83.
We Hardly Knew Them
George Archie (Died on September 20): A first baseman-third baseman, Archie played for the Detroit Tigers, Washington Senators, and St. Louis Browns. He batted .277 in 114 games during the 1941 season.
Johnny Babich (Died on January 19): This pre-World War II right-hander pitched for five seasons, bouncing between the Brooklyn Dodgers, Boston Braves, and Philadelphia A's. He enjoyed one winning season, logging a 14-13 mark in 1940.
John Corriden, Jr. (Died on June 4): He played in only one major league game, scoring a run as a pinch-runner for the Brooklyn Dodgers on April 20, 1946.
Tony Criscola (Died on July 10): An outfielder with the St. Louis Browns and Cincinnati Reds, he batted .248 over a three-year career during World War II.
John Dagenhard (Died on July 16): He allowed no earned runs in 11 innings for the Boston Braves in 1943, but never pitched in the major leagues again because of his commitment to working in a defense-related industry during World War II.
Clem Dreisewerd (Died on September 11): Nicknamed "Steamboat," this left-hander pitched for the Boston Red Sox, St. Louis Browns, and New York Giants during a span of four seasons in the 1940s. Dreisewerd's death was unrelated to the attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon.
Ford Garrison (Died on June 6): Known alternately as "Rocky" and "Snapper," Garrison played as an outfielder for the Boston Red Sox and Philadelphia A's in the 1940s. Garrison batted .262 over four seasons, with most of his career overlapping World War II.
Ralph Hamner (Died on May 22): He lost 20 of 28 decisions during a career that spanned four seasons with the two Chicago teams in the late 1940s.
Mel Hoderlein (Died May 21): An infielder for the Boston Red Sox and Washington Senators, Hoderlein batted .252 over a four-year career.
Bert Hodge (Died on January 8): A third baseman, Hodge batted .182 in 11 at-bats for the Philadelphia Phillies in 1942.
Wally Hood (Died on June 16): He pitched part of one major league season (1949), allowing no runs in two and one-third innings for the New York Yankees.
Bob Keely (Died on May 20): This little-known catcher played only two games over a two-year span during World War II, but enjoyed more longevity as a scout and coach with three major league teams.
Dick Kimble (Died on May 7): This shortstop played one season in the major leagues (1945), batting .245 with one RBI in 49 at-bats.
Al Lary (Died on July 9): He spent most of his career in the minor leagues, but did manage to pitch in parts of two seasons with the Chicago Cubs. The tall right-hander was better known as the older brother of former major league pitcher Frank Lary, the noted "Yankee Killer."
Lou Lombardo (Died on June 11): A big, burly left-hander, Lombardo pitched two games for the New York Giants in 1948.
Johnny Lucadello (Died on October 30): This 1940s-era infielder played five years with the St. Louis Browns before concluding his major league tenure with the New York Yankees. In 1941, he earned the largest amount of playing time in his career, batting .279 as a member of the Browns.
Jack Maguire (Died on September 28): This versatile infielder-outfielder played for the New York Giants, Pittsburgh Pirates, and St. Louis Browns during a brief two-year career in the early 1950s.
Jim Mallory (Died on August 6): This 1940s outfielder batted .268 with no home runs in 54 games for the Washington Senators, St. Louis Cardinals, and New York Giants.
Jerry McQuaig (Died on February 5): A right-handed hitting outfielder, McQuaig played seven games for Connie Mack's Philadelphia A's in 1934.
Bitsy Mott (Died on February 25): This 5'8", 155-pound shortstop, whose real name was Elisha, played 90 games for the Philadelphia Phillies in 1945.
Bill Mueller (Died on October 24): No relation to the current Chicago Cubs third baseman of the same name, "Hawk" Mueller played 39 games as an outfielder and pinch-hitter during the World War II era.
Tom Poholsky (Died on January 6): Pitching primarily for the St. Louis Cardinals in the 1950s, this right-hander forged a record of 31-52 in six major league seasons.
Johnny Powers (Died on September 25): Powers was a dominant minor league slugger who failed to achieve similar success in the major leagues. Playing for the Pittsburgh Pirates, Cincinnati Reds, Baltimore Orioles, and Cleveland Indians, he batted .195 with six home runs in 151games.
Hank Riebe (Died on April 16): A four-year big league veteran, he served as a backup catcher for the Detroit Tigers in the 1940s.
Alex Sabo (Died on January 3): A solidly-built catcher with the Washington Senators, Sabo collected three hits in eight at-bats during a two-year stint in the 1930s. His birth name was Alexsander Szabo.
Ben Sankey (Died on October 14): This light-hitting shortstop spent three seasons with the Pittsburgh Pirates, but later enjoyed a successful minor league career in the International League.
Hank Schmulbach (Died on May 3): In his lone major league game (September 27, 1943), he came home to score as a pinch-runner for the St. Louis Browns.
Barry Shetrone (Died on July 18): A native of Baltimore, this outfielder played four seasons for the hometown Orioles. He finished his career in 1963 with the rival Washington Senators.
Frank Stewart (Died on April 30): This obscure right-hander pitched one game in the major leagues, allowing four runs in four innings for the Chicago White Sox on October 2, 1927.
Bud Thomas (Died on May 20): A 20-game winner in the minor leagues, this right-hander pitched for the Washington Senators, Philadelphia A's, and the Detroit Tigers in the 1930s and '40s.
Leo Thomas (Died on March 5): Primarily a third baseman, Thomas played 95 games and batted .212 over a two-year career with the St. Louis Browns and Chicago White Sox in the early 1950s.
Sandy Ullrich (Died on April 21): A native of Cuba, this Washington Senators right-hander pitched for two seasons during the World War II years.
Butch Wensloff (Died on February 18): A three-year veteran of the American League during the 1940s, this right-handed pitcher won 13 games in his freshman season with the New York Yankees. Holdouts and a sore arm interrupted his career, which resumed in 1947. He pitched in only 12 games after his rookie season.
Joe Zapustas (Died on January 14): A right-handed hitting outfielder, Zapustas collected one hit in five at-bats for the 1933 Philadelphia A's.
» This article is dedicated to the memory of Adam Lewis, Hamilton College Class of '87, who lost his life in the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center, September 11, 2001.
Also by Bruce Markusen
» The 1971 Swap Meet
» The 1971 Swap Meet: The Trades That Weren't
» Frank Messer: The Passing of a Yankee Broadcaster
» More submissions
Posted January 2, 2002.
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