Some Obituaries of Recently Deceased Major Leaguers

[cumberlandreds]

Former Tiger Dave Bergman died from cancer, just 61 years old. Way too young.

http://www.freep.com/story/sports/ml...gman/22755701/

Here's Bergman's AB in 1984 when he fouled off nine pitches before planting a 3-2 pitch into the right field seats. It looked like the ball was at his ankles.

http://youtu.be/xn44Rsn9WlY

Bergman was apparently good at the hidden ball trick. A couple of youtubes are within this article of him using that to get Ozzie Guillen for one.

http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/mlb-bi...212803914.html

[redsmetz]

The only guy in major league history who could say he was traded for Willie Mays, Charlie Williams died at the age of 67.

http://nyti.ms/1DgNFcs

[westofyou]

One-time Red and an original Angel, Rocky Bridges, died on the 27th of January.

http://www.latimes.com/local/obituar...131-story.html

Bridges came to the Reds from the Dodgers in a four-team trade with cash also coming from Milwaukee in exchange for Joe Adcock. As WOY will tell you, not one of our better trades. Bridges was claimed off waivers in early 1957 by the Senators.

“It’s a good thing I stayed in Cincinnati for four years — It took me that long to learn how to spell it.” – Rocky Bridges

[Sea Ray]

The only guy in major league history who could say he was traded for Willie Mays, Charlie Williams died at the age of 67.

http://nyti.ms/1DgNFcs

Who would have thought that Mays would outlive the kid who was traded for him?

[Always Red]

Alex Johnson passed away on Feb 28.

This is a nice summary of his career: http://sabr.org/bioproj/person/2ad87d7d

I was a kid when Johnson played LF for the just getting under way BRM, and man could he hit. I always wondered why they traded him away, and now I know.

RIP Alex Johnson

[westofyou]

Alex Johnson passed away on Feb 28.

This is a nice summary of his career: http://sabr.org/bioproj/person/2ad87d7d

I was a kid when Johnson played LF for the just getting under way BRM, and man could he hit. I always wondered why they traded him away, and now I know.

RIP Alex Johnson

“I don’t really like to play in the spring-training games. ... I go down the batting cage because that’s the only way I can get the type of batting practice that I want.”

AJ

[cumberlandreds]

I came here to post this. By the time I came to be a fan he had already left the Reds. He was an enigma who just wouldn't let himself be happy for whatever reason. He also had a brother,Ron,who was a running back in the NFL for a time with the NY Giants.

http://www.detroitnews.com/story/spo...dies/24299643/

[cumberlandreds]

Utility player Jeff McKnight who played for the Mets and Orioles died recently. In his short time with the Mets he wore about 10 different numbers which are detailed in this article. He was just about 2 months older than me. Way too young to die. RIP

http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/bit...ntry-1.2135001

[Mutaman]

I came here to post this. By the time I came to be a fan he had already left the Reds. He was an enigma who just wouldn't let himself be happy for whatever reason. He also had a brother,Ron,who was a running back in the NFL for a time with the NY Giants.

http://www.detroitnews.com/story/spo...dies/24299643/

Alex could hit. Ron was a big time back- All American at Michigan and the first 1000 yard rusher for the the Giants. He still owns two of the top five single-game rushing performances in Michigan history. According to Wiki he has Alzheimer's disease even though he is just in his 60's.

[westofyou]

http://www.hardballtimes.com/coopers...-alex-johnson/

Johnson found a good home in Cincinnati, where he meshed well with manager Dave Bristol and his teammates. Bristol, who described Johnson as “cooperative,” basically left his talented young outfielder alone. Johnson didn’t say much in the clubhouse or on the field, but he hit well for the Reds as their everyday left fielder. He also showed some of the power that he had once flashed in the minor leagues, but had been virtually nonexistent in Philadelphia and St. Louis.

With two good seasons in the books, Johnson should have been looking at a long tenure in Cincinnati. It didn’t happen. After the 1969 season, Reds general manager Bob Howsam, who was determined to improve his pitching staff, decided to do so at the cost of Johnson. Howsam sent Johnson, utility infielder Chico Ruiz, and pitcher Mel Queen to the Angels for right-handers Jim McGlothlin and Pedro Borbon. Johnson had done nothing wrong; he had simply become appealing trade bait after two productive seasons at Crosley Field.

[Chip R]

Jose Capellan passed away at 34.

http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/mlb-bi...070414123.html

[cumberlandreds]

Jim Fanning passed away recently. He was a longtime GM and manager of the Expos. He lead the Expos to their only playoff appearance in 1981. He is also a member of the Canadien Baseball Hall of Fame.

http://www.tributes.com/obituary/rea...ning-102415016

[dreghorntwo]

Thanks to those who post in this thread.

As an older fan a lot of these names trigger some fine baseball memories from my youth.

While the passing itself is always sad to read, the spark of remembrance is a tribute in itself.

Appreciate it.

[mth123]

"Downtown" Ollie Brown. I remember him on both the Padres and later as a late game bat for the Phillies. RIP.

http://m.padres.mlb.com/news/article...own-dead-at-71

[cumberlandreds]

Lennie Merullo who was oldest living (98) ex-Cub passed away recently. He was also the last living Cub to have played in a World Series which was in 1945.


http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/eye-on-...ies-dies-at-98