The Stars of My Youth Are Dying in Droves

[Frobby]

4 hours ago, SteveA said:

Tim McCarver passes away at age 81.

I find it ironic that McCarver and Bill Feeehan died within 6 months of each other.  Two great catchers of the 60’s/early 70’s, who faced off in the 1968 World Series.

[Can_of_corn]

 

[Chavez Ravine]

4 hours ago, Can_of_corn said:

 

On the Giants broadcast today, Jon Miller recalled the time Fenway fans gave Vida a standing ovation when he left the game during  his magical ‘71 season.

[Just Regular]

Now here is a Mike Elias approved path to acquire an Ace:

March 15, 1978

Traded a player to be named later, Gary Alexander, Dave Heaverlo, Phil Huffman, John Henry Johnson, Gary Thomasson, Alan Wirth and $300,000 to the Oakland Athletics. Received Vida Blue. The San Francisco Giants sent Mario Guerrero (April 7, 1978) to the Oakland Athletics to complete the trade.

Vida Blue is one of those players I remember from childhood as just an old guy with a cool name when I was getting some of my first packs of baseball cards.

About 99% of his career WAR was posted by '82, about 99% of my memories of him after then.

[Chavez Ravine]

31 minutes ago, Just Regular said:

Now here is a Mike Elias approved path to acquire an Ace:

March 15, 1978

Traded a player to be named later, Gary Alexander, Dave Heaverlo, Phil Huffman, John Henry Johnson, Gary Thomasson, Alan Wirth and $300,000 to the Oakland Athletics. Received Vida Blue. The San Francisco Giants sent Mario Guerrero (April 7, 1978) to the Oakland Athletics to complete the trade.

Vida Blue is one of those players I remember from childhood as just an old guy with a cool name when I was getting some of my first packs of baseball cards.

About 99% of his career WAR was posted by '82, about 99% of my memories of him after then.

I horded Vida’s card just because I liked his name. It wasn’t until later that I really appreciated him.

[Frobby]

Vida was unbelievable back in ‘71.   What a magical season that was for him. 

[SteveA]

Frank Howard passes away at 87.

https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/38781556/frank-howard-former-all-star-home-run-champ-world-series-winner-dies-87

[24fps]

1 hour ago, SteveA said:

Frank Howard passes away at 87.

https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/38781556/frank-howard-former-all-star-home-run-champ-world-series-winner-dies-87

Here's two more:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2023/10/30/frank-howard-dies-tribute/

https://www.washingtonpost.com/obituaries/2023/10/30/washington-senators-frank-howard-dies/

[Frobby]

When I was growing up, Frank Howard was just about the only reason to watch the Washington Senators.   The guy was absolutely huge and boy could he hit it a long way.  He was a gentie giant and beloved by Senators fans.  Rest in peace, Hondo.

[SteveA]

Willie Hernandez, one of only 11 pitchers to win the Cy Young and MVP in the same year, passes away at 69.

The star of the 1984 Tigers, whose 35-5 start kind of took the wind out of the Orioles being World Champs.  Repeating was a pipedream by early June.