Harry Chappas died. https://www.soxon35th.com/former-white-sox-shortstop-harry-chappas-dies-at-66/ Who was Harry Chappas? Harry Perry Chappas was an American baseball player who became a cult hero on the South Side of Chicago despite playing only 72 games as a shortstop for the White Sox between 1978 and 1980. Known for his diminutive stature, Chappas was listed at 5 feet 3 inches, though he claimed to be closer to 5 feet 5 inches, suggesting that team owner Bill Veeck exaggerated his height for publicity. Chappas began his career with the Indianapolis Clowns, a former Negro league team, and became the last player and first white player to reach the majors from that team. Drafted by the White Sox in 1976, Chappas impressed Veeck with his minor league performance, leading to a September call-up in 1978, where he hit .267 in 20 games. His height drew national attention, including a cover feature on Sports Illustrated during spring training in 1979. Chappas briefly became the starting shortstop, replacing Don Kessinger, but lost the job after two weeks due to a baserunning error. He spent much of the next two seasons in the minors, hitting just .245 in the majors, with one career home run in 1979 off Bill Travers of the Milwaukee Brewers. After his major league career ended in 1980, Chappas played in the minor leagues until 1983, finishing his career with the Atlanta Braves organization. Off the field, Chappas had a range of unusual hobbies, including raising finches and building model airplanes. After his baseball career, he became a fan and player of jai alai. Chappas passed away on September 15, 2024, at the age of 66. Also, who was Luis Tiant? Luis Tiant, the son of Negro Leagues and Cuban star pitcher Luis Tiant, Sr., faced rumors throughout his career that he was older than his listed birth date of 1940. These speculations persisted despite Tiant’s career aligning with his reported age, possibly due to confusion with his father. Tiant became a significant figure in baseball, winning more games than any other Cuban-born pitcher of the 20th century. After a rough start in the Mexican League, he was signed by the Cleveland Indians in 1962. Tiant's career highlights include his dominant 1968 season, where he recorded a 1.60 ERA and 21 wins. Following an injury-plagued stint with the Twins, Tiant experienced a resurgence with the Boston Red Sox in the early 1970s, reinventing himself as a master of varied pitching styles. His quirky windup and charisma made him a fan favorite. Tiant helped lead the Red Sox to the 1975 World Series, where he played a crucial role in several games. After stints with the Yankees and brief returns to the minors and Mexican League, Tiant finished his career with 220 MLB wins. Despite his success, he never received sufficient support for the Baseball Hall of Fame, though he was inducted into the Boston Red Sox Hall of Fame and the Latino Baseball Hall of Fame. Tiant's legacy as a colorful, resilient pitcher endures, and he was featured in the documentary The Lost Son of Havana. More: Luis Tiant, nicknamed "El Tiante," was a Cuban-born right-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball (MLB), known for his stints with the Cleveland Indians and Boston Red Sox over a 19-year career. He compiled a 229–172 record with a 3.30 ERA and 2,416 strikeouts. He led the American League (AL) in ERA twice and was a three-time All-Star. Tiant was also known for his unique, twisting pitching motion, which he adopted after a shoulder injury. Tiant's early career began in Cuba and Mexico before he joined the Cleveland Indians. Political tensions prevented him from returning to Cuba, and he didn’t see his family for 14 years. In 1968, Tiant had a standout season, setting records in ERA and opponent batting average. After struggles and injuries, he reinvented himself with the Boston Red Sox, becoming a fan favorite and leading the team to a World Series appearance in 1975. He later played for the Yankees, Pirates, and Angels before retiring. Tiant was inducted into several baseball halls of fame, including the Boston Red Sox Hall of Fame, but he was never elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame. After retiring, he became a coach, cigar entrepreneur, and the subject of two documentaries. He died in 2024 at the age of 83.