Some Obituaries of Recently Deceased Major Leaguers Part Two

[Big Klu]

9/19/2022: Former Dodgers, Pirates, Expos SS/3B Maury Wills; age 89.

[RED VAN HOT]

In the early 70's there was a bar in San Diego where they celebrated New Year's Eve every night. They would pass out funny hats and noise makers before midnight. Finger sandwiches were available to purchase for a nickel. A group of dixieland style musicians added to the festive atmosphere. When the Dodgers were in town, Wills would join the musical group and play banjo after the game. I told him I was a big fan (a lie because the BRM was in its infancy). He seemed genuinely impressed by the tribute from a drunk patron. The brief encounter remains a vivid mental picture.

RIP

[Big Klu]

I remember his son leading off the 1982 season for the Cubs and hitting a home run off Mario Soto to lead off the first game.

That was the first major-league game I ever attended, and Bump Wills hitting a home run was the first batter in that game.

[cumberlandreds]

That was the first major-league game I ever attended, and Bump Wills hitting a home run was the first batter in that game.

You probably already know, but that game is on Youtube. It was also Harry Caray's first game as a Cub broadcaster.

[Big Klu]

The 2022 club signs a seven-time All-Star SS and former NL MVP.

Transactions:
Signed SS Maury Wills.
Optioned SS/3B/2B Tommy Matchick to AAA.
Designated SS/2B/3B Milt Ramirez for assignment.


Lineup (8)
C John Stearns
1B Lee Thomas
2B Julio Cruz
3B Pete Ward
SS Maury Wills
LF Tommy Davis
CF Gerald Williams
RF Dwight Smith, Sr.

Bench (7)
C/1B John Ellis
C/1B/OF John Wockenfuss (platoon starter with Thomas)
SS/2B/3B Dick Schofield, Sr.
SS/2B Jerry Snyder
OF/1B Larry Biittner
OF/1B Jeremy Giambi
OF Gene Clines (platoon starter with Smith)

Rotation (5)
RHP Joel Horlen
RHP Ralph Terry
LHP Odalis Perez
RHP Dave Wickersham
RHP Ike Delock

Bullpen (5)
RHP Bob Locker
RHP Mark Littell
RHP Jim Corsi
RHP Jeff Innis
LHP David West


The remainder of the 40-man roster:
LHP Pete Burnside
LHP John Cumberland
LHP Ken Frailing
RHP Ed Bauta
RHP Fred Lasher
RHP Anthony Varvaro

C Joe Pignatano
C Vic Roznovsky
1B George Kernek
SS/2B Eddie Basinski
SS/2B Julio Valdez
SS/3B/2B Tommy Matchick
OF Don Dillard
OF/1B David Green
OF Leo Posada


Outright Minor-League Assignment:
RHP Bill Burbach
RHP Bob Conley
RHP Al Autry
RHP George Gerberman
RHP Jim Bronstad
RHP Cholly Naranjo
RHP Win Remmerswaal
RHP Ray Rippelmeyer
LHP Cal Browning
LHP Don Collins
LHP Bob G. Miller
LHP Roger Samuels
LHP Mark Schaeffer
LHP Bill Short

1B Costen Shockley
1B Joe Staton
2B/3B/SS Ted Schreiber
SS John Gamble
OF Luke Allen
OF Ethan Blackaby
OF Carl Boles
OF Frank Cipriani
OF George Elder
OF Carl Linhart
OF John Sanders
OF Gale Wade

RHP Calvin Jones (DFA)
OF Gordie Windhorn (DFA)
SS/2B/3B Milt Ramirez (DFA)


Probable Batting Order vs. RHP:
Wills ss
Smith rf
Stearns c
Davis lf
Ward 3b
Thomas 1b
Williams cf
Cruz 2b
<pitcher>

Probable Batting Order vs. LHP:
Wills ss
Clines rf
Stearns c
Davis lf
Wockenfuss 1b
Ward 3b
Williams cf
Cruz 2b
<pitcher>


vs. RHP (with DH):
Wills ss
Smith rf
Stearns c
Davis lf
Ward 3b
Thomas 1b
Giambi dh
Williams cf
Cruz 2b

vs. LHP (with DH):
Wills ss
Clines rf
Stearns c
Davis lf
Wockenfuss 1b
Ward 3b
Williams cf
Ellis dh
Cruz 2b


The club makes a major addition to the infield, signing a seven-time All-Star SS and former National League Most Valuable Player. Maury Wills is the prototypical leadoff man from the 60's and 70's -- switch-hitter with decent OBP and great speed. Wills stole 586 career bases -- good for 20th in MLB history (and 15th since 1900). Defensively, Wills is a two-time Gold Glove winner at SS, and can also play 3B if necessary, as he was a two-year starter at the hot corner for the Pirates between stints with the Dodgers. Wills will immediately take over as the shortstop and leadoff man for the club, with second baseman Julio Cruz moving to the bottom of the order to provide speed in front of Wills and the top of the order. Versatile infielder Dick Schofield will go to the bench as a valuable utility man. To make room for Wills on the 25-man active roster, the club options SS/3B/2B Tommy Matchick to AAA, and to clear a spot on the 40-man roster, the club designates SS/2B/3B Milt Ramirez for assignment.

[Big Klu]

You probably already know, but that game is on Youtube. It was also Harry Caray's first game as a Cub broadcaster.

I did not know that. It was also Ryne Sandberg's first game as a Cub.

[Big Klu]

When I was still in college (and for a few years after college), I played a lot of Tony LaRussa Baseball on my computer. (As much as I loathe TLR, it was a great simulator!) I would alternate between the Classic setting (all-time rosters) and the 1993 season. In Classic setting, Maury Wills was the Dodgers' 3B (since Pee Wee Reese was at SS). I recall that in Season 3, Wills was the MVP of the All-Star Game at Sportsman's Park in St. Louis. He was a substitute for Pete Rose, entering the game as a pinch-runner in the 5th inning and remaining in the game at 3B. He stole second and third, then scored the tying run on a sacrifice fly. He then singled in his only AB leading off the 8th, stole two more bases and scored the eventual winning run in a 3-2 win.

[Big Klu]

Maury Wills is also the first former manager to have died this year, having managed the Mariners for parts of two seasons in 1980 and 1981. (Julio Cruz was his 2B on the M's.)

[WildcatFan]

I somehow missed this from last week, but local sports legend Bobby Flynn passed away — father of Doug Flynn. He was drafted by the Brooklyn Dodgers and eventually became the first white player for the Negro League's Lexington Hustlers, making them the first integrated team in the South.

He was a fixture at Lexington-area sporting events; I was speaking with him once at a Legends game and when he realized how deep my Reds fandom was, he took off his ring and told me to put it on. It was his son's 1975 Reds World Series ring. I shook like a leaf wearing it.

Anyway, his obituary is worth a read. He led a fascinating life. His daughter was also the one who went missing in the 1980s, kickstarting the Bluegrass Conspiracy, if anybody knows that story.

[Kc61]

Hector Lopez, RIP. Came to the Yankees from the Kansas City A’s, as did many players in the 1950’s and 60’q. Solid utility player with significant playing time for Yanks mostly at OF and third base. Played on great teams, including 1961 team that defeated Reds in WS. Lopez later broke color barrier at the AAA level for Buffalo team. Also managed Panama WBC team.

[Big Klu]

9/29/2022: Former A's, Yankees OF/3B/2B Hector Lopez; age 93.



https://www.nytimes.com/2022/09/30/s...opez-dead.html

[Big Klu]

9/28/2022: Former Cardinals, Tigers LHP Tom Urbani; age 54.



https://www.marinij.com/2022/09/30/s...ball-dies/amp/

[Big Klu]

The 2022 club signs a veteran right-handed hitting utility INF/OF and a left-handed pitcher with starting and relieving experience.

Transactions:
Signed OF/3B/2B Hector Lopez.
Optioned SS/2B Jerry Snyder to AAA.
Designated SS/2B Julio Valdez for assignment.
Signed LHP Tom Urbani to a minor-league contract.
Outrighted RHP Calvin Jones, SS/2B/3B Milt Ramirez, and OF Gordie Windhorn.


Lineup (8)
C John Stearns
1B Lee Thomas
2B Julio Cruz
3B Pete Ward
SS Maury Wills
LF Tommy Davis
CF Gerald Williams
RF Dwight Smith, Sr.

Bench (7)
C/1B John Ellis
C/1B/OF John Wockenfuss (platoon starter with Thomas)
SS/2B/3B Dick Schofield, Sr.
OF/3B/2B Hector Lopez (platoon starter with Ward)
OF/1B Larry Biittner
OF/1B Jeremy Giambi
OF Gene Clines (platoon starter with Smith)

Rotation (5)
RHP Joel Horlen
RHP Ralph Terry
LHP Odalis Perez
RHP Dave Wickersham
RHP Ike Delock

Bullpen (5)
RHP Bob Locker
RHP Mark Littell
RHP Jim Corsi
RHP Jeff Innis
LHP David West


The remainder of the 40-man roster:
LHP Pete Burnside
LHP John Cumberland
LHP Ken Frailing
RHP Ed Bauta
RHP Fred Lasher
RHP Anthony Varvaro

C Joe Pignatano
C Vic Roznovsky
1B George Kernek
SS/2B Eddie Basinski
SS/2B Jerry Snyder
SS/3B/2B Tommy Matchick
OF Don Dillard
OF/1B David Green
OF Leo Posada


Outright Minor-League Assignment:
RHP Bill Burbach
LHP Tom Urbani
RHP Bob Conley
RHP Al Autry
RHP George Gerberman

RHP Jim Bronstad
RHP Calvin Jones
RHP Cholly Naranjo
RHP Win Remmerswaal
RHP Ray Rippelmeyer
LHP Cal Browning
LHP Don Collins
LHP Bob G. Miller
LHP Roger Samuels
LHP Mark Schaeffer
LHP Bill Short

1B Costen Shockley
1B Joe Staton
2B/3B/SS Ted Schreiber
SS John Gamble
SS/2B/3B Milt Ramirez

OF Luke Allen
OF Ethan Blackaby
OF Carl Boles
OF Frank Cipriani
OF George Elder
OF Carl Linhart
OF John Sanders
OF Gale Wade
OF Gordie Windhorn

SS/2B Julio Valdez (DFA)


Probable Batting Order vs. RHP:
Wills ss
Smith rf
Stearns c
Davis lf
Ward 3b
Thomas 1b
Williams cf
Cruz 2b
<pitcher>

Probable Batting Order vs. LHP:
Wills ss
Clines rf
Stearns c
Davis lf
Wockenfuss 1b
Lopez 3b
Williams cf
Cruz 2b
<pitcher>


vs. RHP (with DH):
Wills ss
Smith rf
Stearns c
Davis lf
Ward 3b
Thomas 1b
Giambi dh
Williams cf
Cruz 2b

vs. LHP (with DH):
Wills ss
Clines rf
Stearns c
Davis lf
Wockenfuss 1b
Lopez 3b
Ellis dh
Williams cf
Cruz 2b


The club signs a veteran utility INF/OF who will add some offensive pop from the right side. Hector Lopez is a 12-year veteran who hits for decent average (career .269 BA, .330 OBP) and decent power (136 career HR's). Lopez was primarily a 3B/2B in his early career with the A's, and transitioned to a corner OF and role player with the Yankees. Lopez is expected to be a utility player for the club, and is also being penciled in as a right-handed platoon partner for Pete Ward at 3B. To make room for Lopez on the 25-man active roster, the club options SS/2B Jerry Snyder to AAA, and to clear space on the 40-man roster, the club designates SS/2B Julio Valdez for assignment.

The club has also signed veteran LHP Tom Urbani to a minor-league contract for organizational depth. Urbani has experience as both a starter and a reliever, and strengthens the pitching depth at the minor league level.

In a separate transaction, the club also announces that RHP Calvin Jones, INF Milt Ramirez, and OF Gordie Windhorn have all cleared waivers and accepted outright assignment to the minors.

[Big Klu]

10/5/2022: Former Rangers, Braves RHP (and current Concordia University head coach) Tommy Boggs; age 66.



https://www.dallasnews.com/sports/ra...outputType=amp


(Credit to HokieRed for bringing this to my attention.)

[Big Klu]

The 2022 club signs a right-handed starting pitcher to provide rotational depth.

Transactions:
Signed RHP Tommy Boggs, and optioned him to AAA.
Designated RHP Ed Bauta for assignment.


Lineup (8)
C John Stearns
1B Lee Thomas
2B Julio Cruz
3B Pete Ward
SS Maury Wills
LF Tommy Davis
CF Gerald Williams
RF Dwight Smith, Sr.

Bench (7)
C/1B John Ellis
C/1B/OF John Wockenfuss (platoon starter with Thomas)
SS/2B/3B Dick Schofield, Sr.
OF/3B/2B Hector Lopez (platoon starter with Ward)
OF/1B Larry Biittner
OF/1B Jeremy Giambi
OF Gene Clines (platoon starter with Smith)

Rotation (5)
RHP Joel Horlen
RHP Ralph Terry
LHP Odalis Perez
RHP Dave Wickersham
RHP Ike Delock

Bullpen (5)
RHP Bob Locker
RHP Mark Littell
RHP Jim Corsi
RHP Jeff Innis
LHP David West


The remainder of the 40-man roster:
LHP Pete Burnside
LHP John Cumberland
LHP Ken Frailing
RHP Tommy Boggs
RHP Fred Lasher
RHP Anthony Varvaro

C Joe Pignatano
C Vic Roznovsky
1B George Kernek
SS/2B Eddie Basinski
SS/2B Jerry Snyder
SS/3B/2B Tommy Matchick
OF Don Dillard
OF/1B David Green
OF Leo Posada


Outright Minor-League Assignment:
RHP Bill Burbach
LHP Tom Urbani
RHP Bob Conley
RHP Al Autry
RHP George Gerberman

RHP Jim Bronstad
RHP Calvin Jones
RHP Cholly Naranjo
RHP Win Remmerswaal
RHP Ray Rippelmeyer
LHP Cal Browning
LHP Don Collins
LHP Bob G. Miller
LHP Roger Samuels
LHP Mark Schaeffer
LHP Bill Short

1B Costen Shockley
1B Joe Staton
2B/3B/SS Ted Schreiber
SS John Gamble
SS/2B/3B Milt Ramirez

OF Luke Allen
OF Ethan Blackaby
OF Carl Boles
OF Frank Cipriani
OF George Elder
OF Carl Linhart
OF John Sanders
OF Gale Wade
OF Gordie Windhorn

SS/2B Julio Valdez (DFA)
RHP Ed Bauta (DFA)


Probable Batting Order vs. RHP:
Wills ss
Smith rf
Stearns c
Davis lf
Ward 3b
Thomas 1b
Williams cf
Cruz 2b
<pitcher>

Probable Batting Order vs. LHP:
Wills ss
Clines rf
Stearns c
Davis lf
Wockenfuss 1b
Lopez 3b
Williams cf
Cruz 2b
<pitcher>


vs. RHP (with DH):
Wills ss
Smith rf
Stearns c
Davis lf
Ward 3b
Thomas 1b
Giambi dh
Williams cf
Cruz 2b

vs. LHP (with DH):
Wills ss
Clines rf
Stearns c
Davis lf
Wockenfuss 1b
Lopez 3b
Ellis dh
Williams cf
Cruz 2b


The club signs a right-handed starting pitcher to provide much-needed organizational depth to the rotation. RHP Tommy Boggs was a former #2 overall draft pick by the Rangers who never quite panned out. Boggs was involved in a convoluted 4-team, 11-player trade after the 1977 season that sent him to the Braves. (Some of the other names included in the trade among the Rangers, Braves, Mets, and Pirates were Al Oliver, Bert Blyleven, Willie Montañez, John Milner, and Jon Matlack.) Boggs had his best season in 1980 with the Braves, when he was 12-9 with a 3.42 ERA in 192⅓ innings over 32 appearances (26 starts). Boggs will go to AAA, where he will headline the rotation. To make room for Boggs on the 40-man roster, the club designates RHP Ed Bauta for assignment.