Some Obituaries of Recently Deceased Major Leaguers

[50YrRedsFan]

Larson was the epitome of randomness in baseball. Never a very good pitcher but when he got a chance in a World Series game he made the most of it. Of all the pitchers who have started World Series game he would have been one of the last you would have thought would have thrown a perfect game. RIP Don Larson

Larsen with an "E"

[redsmetz]

Since we've lost some older former players recently, I thought I'd pull forward the list of the oldest living ballplayers. They removed Larsen, but it hasn't updated with Watlington's passing.

https://www.baseball-almanac.com/pla...ll_Players.php

The oldest living Red is Howie Judson who finished his career with us in 1953 & 1954.

[50YrRedsFan]

12/25/2019...ex Angel, Royal, Red Sox, Met, Pirate, Cardinal; Andy Hassler, age 68. 14 years in MLB. https://www.wickenburgfuneralhome.co...andrew-hassler Attachment 15511

[50YrRedsFan]

12/16/2019...ex Indian; Rich Rundles, age 38. https://ripbaseball.com/2019/12/18/o...les-1981-2019/ Attachment 15512

[50YrRedsFan]

12/27/2019...ex Cardinal; Richard “Dick” Bokelmann , age 93. https://www.glueckertfuneralhome.com...?obId=10267828Attachment 15513

[50YrRedsFan]

12/5/2019...ex Red Sox, Tiger, Phillie, White Sox, Twin; Thaddeus "Ted" Lepcio, age 90. https://twinstrivia.com/2020/01/02/f...the-age-of-90/ Attachment 15514

[50YrRedsFan]

1/10/2020...ex Red, Athletic, Cardinal, Brewer; Ed Sprague Sr., age 74. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ed_Sprague_Sr. Attachment 15535

[50YrRedsFan]

1/9/2020...ex Red, Oriole, KC Athletic, Pirate, Colt 45; Hal Smith, age 89. https://www.hennekefuneralhome.com/s...d=1300&locid=0Attachment 15536

[cumberlandreds]

1/10/2020...ex Red, Athletic, Cardinal, Brewer; Ed Sprague Sr., age 74. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ed_Sprague_Sr. Attachment 15535

Another cardboard hero gone. I remember that card very well. I may have 50 of them in packs back in 72. His son played for ten years in the majors, mainly for Toronto, IIRC. RIP Ed Sprague

[cumberlandreds]

1/9/2020...ex Red, Oriole, KC Athletic, Pirate, Colt 45; Hal Smith, age 89. https://www.hennekefuneralhome.com/s...d=1300&locid=0Attachment 15536

Smith had a huge HR in the 7th game of the 1960 World Series. If the Yankees hadn't of tied the game in the 9th that set up Mazeroski's HR he would have been more remembered. RIP Hal Smith.

[Big Klu]

Another cardboard hero gone. I remember that card very well. I may have 50 of them in packs back in 72. His son played for ten years in the majors, mainly for Toronto, IIRC. RIP Ed Sprague

It was his son, Ed Jr., who played for Toronto.

[Big Klu]

Smith had a huge HR in the 7th game of the 1960 World Series. If the Yankees hadn't of tied the game in the 9th that set up Mazeroski's HR he would have been more remembered. RIP Hal Smith.

There were two catchers in MLB named Hal Smith during that era -- the recently departed Harold Wayne "Hal" Smith (who was the backup catcher for the 1960 Pirates, behind former Red Smoky Burgess), and Harold Raymond "Hal" Smith (who was the primary catcher for the Cardinals and a three-time All-Star in the late 50's).

[marcshoe]

There were two catchers in MLB named Hal Smith during that era -- the recently departed Harold Wayne "Hal" Smith (who was the backup catcher for the 1960 Pirates, behind former Red Smoky Burgess), and Harold Raymond "Hal" Smith (who was the primary catcher for the Cardinals and a three-time All-Star in the late 50's).

Hal Smith drank too much, but Andy always kept a cell open for him.

[50YrRedsFan]

1/20/2020...ex KC Athletic; Jay Hankins, age 84. https://ripbaseball.com/2020/01/23/o...090SZUr2cW7YmA Attachment 15566

[allpurpose]

1/10/2020...ex Red, Athletic, Cardinal, Brewer; Ed Sprague Sr., age 74. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ed_Sprague_Sr. Attachment 15535

For some silly reason there was a time when I thought Ed Sprague would be the greatest pitcher the Reds ever had. Maybe it was my 11 year old brain thinking too much at the time..