Baseball Passings 2019

[G-Fafif]

Eli Grba, 84. First expansion draft pick, by the Los Angeles Angels, ahead of the 1961 season, from the MFYs. In retirement, battled the alcoholism that ended his career, stayed sober these past 37 years.

Edited January 16, 2019 by Guest

[MFS62]

I spoke with him (from the stands) during a game once.

Seemed like a nice guy.

RIP



Later

[G-Fafif]

Peter Magowan, the supermarket magnate who bought the Giants when they were on the verge of moving to St. Petersburg and saved them for San Francisco, 76. Committed to his investment by signing Barry Bonds and getting what was first christened Pac Bell Park built. Loved the Giants as a kid in NY, got lucky in a baseball sense that his family was moving to Northern California the same time his team was.



He sat and talked with the NY Giants Preservation Society a few years ago. Seemed like a good guy and true fan.

[Frayed Knot]

Bob Friend - 88

RHP who had a 16 year (1951-1966) 602 Game/197 Win MLB career, almost all of it with the Pirates but his final half-season/22 games came as a NYM

[G-Fafif]

Hall of Famer and absolutely enormous figure Frank Robinson, 83.

[kcmets]

RIP. Sir.

[MFS62]

=G-Fafif post_id=2539 time=1549569104 user_id=55]
Hall of Famer and absolutely enormous figure Frank Robinson, 83.

[Benjamin Grimm]

https://i.pinimg.com/originals/76/72/02/767202aee83ec2f4bf48d51a5dbc5be4.jpg>



It's always strange to me to think that he spent more years in Cincinnati than in Baltimore, because all of his years with the Reds were just before my awareness of him.



He certainly is one of the giant figures in the game.

[Fman99]

Wow, never knew till just now that in 1975, as the first black manager, he was actually a player-manager, and homered in his first game in that double role. Pretty cool.

[Johnny Lunchbucket]

First black manager in AL -- and in the NL. I associate him with those deep-maroon Indians teams he managed and all the bb cards I have of him in that uni.

[G-Fafif]

If not the villain, exactly, then definitely the high-profile foil for the Mets in the 1969 World Series, from his immortal (and premature) "bring on Ron Gaspar/Rod Stupid" dismissal of the Orioles' opponents to his frustration at not being awarded first base on a hit by pitch shortly before Cleon Jones was granted exactly that. Managed to launch a home run in the very same Game Five, ultimately to no avail.



Thirty-seven years later, when the Nationals held pregame ceremonies on Closing Day to thank him for his service as Washington's first manager, Robinson took a moment to congratulate Willie Randolph and his team on having won the National League East.

[batmagadanleadoff]

If not the villain, exactly, then definitely the high-profile foil for the Mets in the 1969 World Series, from his immortal (and premature) "bring on Ron Gaspar/Rod Stupid" dismissal of the Orioles' opponents to his frustration at not being awarded first base on a hit by pitch shortly before Cleon Jones was granted exactly that. Managed to launch a home run in the very same Game Five, ultimately to no avail. Thirty-seven years later, when the Nationals held pregame ceremonies on Closing Day to thank him for his service as Washington's first manager, Robinson took a moment to congratulate Willie Randolph and his team on having won the National League East.

Classy, even though the Mets won despite and not because of Willie Randolph.

[Frayed Knot]

'Robbie' was one tough SOB ... and that's what his friends said of him.

[Frayed Knot]

'Robbie' was one tough SOB ... and that's what his friends said of him.

[Chad ochoseis]

I believe the saying in the late 1960s was that Brooks Robinson owned Baltimore, but Frank Robinson owned the Orioles.



Has a statue outside Progressive Field now. I'm in Jersey this week; otherwise, I'd head over and post a picture.

[batmagadanleadoff]

Frayed Knot wrote: 'Robbie' was one tough SOB ... and that's what his friends said of him.

I'm gonna start calling you Jimmy Two Times. As I write this, you probably went out to get the papers, get the papers.

[G-Fafif]

About 3:30 in, Frank acknowledges the Mets. Over the last couple of minutes, when he's done speaking, the entire Mets team surrounds him. An incredible display of respect -- and one of the best farewells to the game ever delivered.

[Frayed Knot]

Who was the pitcher who Frank yanked by the collar and dressed down on the mound in front of a full stadium when said hurler casually flipped the ball in Frank's general direction because he was pissed at being relieved?

[G-Fafif]

Frayed Knot wrote: Who was the pitcher who Frank yanked by the collar and dressed down on the mound in front of a full stadium when said hurler casually flipped the ball in Frank's general direction because he was pissed at being relieved?

Jim Barr, at Shea in 1983. Yeah, don't eff with F. Robby.

[Edgy MD]

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SDsKW8UGEGY&feature=youtu.behttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SDsKW8UGEGY&feature=youtu.be[/youtube] About 3:30 in, Frank acknowledges the Mets. Over the last couple of minutes, when he's done speaking, the entire Mets team surrounds him. An incredible display of respect -- and one of the best farewells to the game ever delivered.

I was at this game. Maybe two kids brought homemade plackards that I saw, one reading "Thank you, Frank," and the other saying "Frank: A National Treasure."



I was thinking *Well, at least two parents in this stupid fanbase raised their kids right," and then I realized I was there for Metfun alone, and hadn't even think to realize that it was to be Robbie's last game, and I felt shame.



Then I snuck down to the expensive seats and cheered myself hoarse for the man.



Willie, who if nothing else, took respecting the game seriously, did a good job keeping his team in the dugout and engaged in the moment.

[Johnny Lunchbucket]

Frayed Knot wrote: Who was the pitcher who Frank yanked by the collar and dressed down on the mound in front of a full stadium when said hurler casually flipped the ball in Frank's general direction because he was pissed at being relieved? Jim Barr, at Shea in 1983. Yeah, don't eff with F. Robby.

Pretty good game story in the Times: https://www.nytimes.com/1983/05/26/sports/mets-commit-5-errors-in-loss.htmlhttps://www.nytimes.com/1983/05/26/sports/mets-commit-5-errors-in-loss.html

[metirish]

If you can go to @backaftathis and see Francesa talking about Robinson.

[Guest 41Forever]

I was a young and easily intimidated reporter when I approached Mr. Robinson for a story. Still an awesome experience.



https://metsguyinmichigan.blogspot.com/2005/12/mickey-me-part-1-two-hall-of-famers.htmlhttps://metsguyinmichigan.blogspot.com/2005/12/mickey-me-part-1-two-hall-of-famers.html

[G-Fafif]

I was a young and easily intimidated reporter when I approached Mr. Robinson for a story. Still an awesome experience. https://metsguyinmichigan.blogspot.com/2005/12/mickey-me-part-1-two-hall-of-famers.htmlhttps://metsguyinmichigan.blogspot.com/2005/12/mickey-me-part-1-two-hall-of-famers.html

"Go talk to the people in Rochester." Beautiful quote.

[Edgy MD]

Johnny Lunchbucket wrote: Frayed Knot wrote: Who was the pitcher who Frank yanked by the collar and dressed down on the mound in front of a full stadium when said hurler casually flipped the ball in Frank's general direction because he was pissed at being relieved? Jim Barr, at Shea in 1983. Yeah, don't eff with F. Robby. Pretty good game story in the Times: https://www.nytimes.com/1983/05/26/sports/mets-commit-5-errors-in-loss.htmlhttps://www.nytimes.com/1983/05/26/sports/mets-commit-5-errors-in-loss.html

That brief window of time when Kingman and Strawberry were in the same lineup.

[Frayed Knot]

=metirish post_id=2605 time=1549647804 user_id=72]
If you can go to @backaftathis and see Francesa talking about Robinson.

[G-Fafif]

My dollar and two cents on Frank Robinson http://www.faithandfearinflushing.com/2019/02/08/towering-and-enormous/here.

[metirish]

Frayed Knot wrote: =metirish post_id=2605 time=1549647804 user_id=72] If you can go to @backaftathis and see Francesa talking about Robinson.

Why would I want to do that?

[MFS62]

My dollar and two cents on Frank Robinson http://www.faithandfearinflushing.com/2019/02/08/towering-and-enormous/here.

That was beautiful, man.

I'm fah'klempt.

Later

[G-Fafif]

Don Newcombe, Brooklyn pitching ace, 92. A fixture at Dodger Stadium well beyond his years starring at Ebbets Field.