Reds:
Francisco Cordero (37) -He's had a fine career, but he's been walking a thin line the last few seasons, and this year, well...
Milt Pappas (73) -First pitcher to win 200+ games without ever having a 20-win season. Was put into a difficult situation after the Robinson trade, and didn't make it any easier due to his somewhat acerbic personality...In 1982, Pappas's wife disappeared from their home and was missing for five years. There were even rumors that she'd been murdered by a satanic cult. Her body was finally recovered in 1987 when workers draining a pond found her in her car. The theory is that she may have made a wrong turn at night, possibly under the influence (she was a recovering alcoholic).
Others:
Bobby Witt (48) -In June of 1997, Bobby become the first American League pitcher in 25 years to hit a home run.
Floyd Youmans (48) -He was a childhood friend of Dwight Gooden, and the Mets ended up drafting Gooden in the first round and Youmans in the second. Floyd had a few good years with the Mets and Expos (after being traded for Gary Carter), but like Dwight he struggled with substance abuse issues.
Rip Sewell -Full name Truett Banks Sewell... Inventor of the "Eephus" pitch, a high lob with backspin, after a toe injury forced him to change his delivery. He never gave up a homer with it in the regular season, but Ted Williams famously jacked one in the All-Star Game. By the way, the "Eephus" was named by outfielder Maurice Van Robays, who said "Eephus means nothin', and that pitch ain't nothin'"...
Charlie Gehringer -Nicknamed the "Mechanical Man" for the relentlessly consistent high level of his play. in the first six All-Star Games, no one else played an inning at second base for the American League...Even when he was one of the biggest stars in baseball, he lived at home with his mother and worked off-seasons as a sales clerk at Hudson's Department Store in Detroit. He finally married at age 49, and he took it seriously- he skipped his own HOF induction ceremony because it was five days before his wedding and he wanted to focus on that...
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Originally Posted by chicoruiz
