Charley Peete . . . Done Too Soon

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In November of 1956, 27 year-old St. Louis Cardinals prospect Charlie Peete and his wife and kids were all killed in a plane crash in South America.

Previous to getting called up to the Cardinals for 23 games in 1956, Peete led the American Association with a .350 with a .444 on-base percentage for AAA-Omaha.

Although he got a late start into the professional baseball leagues that we now know due to previously having played in the Negro Leagues and serving in the military in the Korean War, Peete quickly shot up all the way from Class B to Class AAA in only two years from 1953 to 1955, and was expected to be the heir apparent starting centerfielder for the Cardinals in 1957 and beyond. Curt Flood eventually took over the position (Cardinals' centerfielder) in 1958, and stayed there until his trade and subsequent historical Supreme Court challenge to baseball's reserve clause between 1969-1972.

Charlie Peete was born 86 years ago, today.

Charley Peete . . . Done Too Soon

http://boblemke.blogspot.com/2009/06/charley-peete-done-too-soon.html

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