Cowtipper

He's on the Rays active roster. This could be the year!

Bobby Cuellar, who played in the majors in 1977 and became more famous as a coach, died January 20. https://dodgers.mlblogs.com/influential-dodger-player-development-coach-bobby-cuellar-has-passed-away-48348557fe27 Who was Bobby Cuellar? Robert Cuellar was a former professional baseball player and coach, known for his impactful career both on and off the field. Born on August 20, 1952, in Alice, Texas, Cuellar played briefly as a relief pitcher for the Texas Rangers in 1977, after being drafted by the team in 1974. His playing career was short-lived, largely due to shoulder issues caused by overuse during his time in the minors and winter ball. Cuellar transitioned into coaching following his playing days, making a significant mark as a pitching coach and bullpen coach across multiple MLB teams. He worked for the Seattle Mariners from 1983 to 1996. Cuellar also coached for the Montreal Expos, Texas Rangers, Pittsburgh Pirates, and Minnesota Twins (where he notably mentored future star Johan Santana, teaching him a circle changeup that became pivotal to Santana's success), and managed at various minor league levels, including with the Wausau Timbers and New Britain Rock Cats. Cuellar's coaching career spanned several decades, and he was recognized for his expertise with young pitchers, earning the 2023 Mike Coolbaugh Award for his dedication to the game. Cuellar passed away on January 20, 2025, at the age of 72 after suffering a heart attack. Also, who was Felix Mantilla? Félix Mantilla Lamela (1934–2025) was a Puerto Rican professional baseball player known for his versatility, primarily playing as an infielder during his 11-year Major League Baseball (MLB) career. He played for the Milwaukee Braves, New York Mets, Boston Red Sox, and Houston Astros. Mantilla's most prominent position was second base, but he also played shortstop, third base, outfield, and occasionally first base. A talented fielder, he was known by the nickname "El Gato" for his agility. Born in Isabela, Puerto Rico, Mantilla began his career in Puerto Rico's Winter League and was part of the national team that won the 1951 World Amateur Baseball Championship. He made his MLB debut in 1956 with the Braves and later contributed to their 1957 and 1958 World Series appearances, although he played a minimal role in both. After being selected by the Mets in the 1961 expansion draft, he had his most significant season in 1962, leading the team in at-bats and setting personal bests in batting average, home runs, and RBIs. His success continued with the Boston Red Sox, where he became an All-Star in 1965 and enjoyed several strong seasons, particularly in 1964 when he hit 30 home runs. Mantilla finished his MLB career with the Astros in 1966, after which he briefly pursued a minor league career. Beyond baseball, he was dedicated to promoting youth baseball in Milwaukee and Puerto Rico, creating the Félix Mantilla Little League and mentoring young players. Mantilla passed away in 2025 at the age of 90, leaving behind a legacy in both baseball and community development. Who was Jeff Torborg? Jeffrey Allen Torborg, born November 26, 1941, in Westfield, New Jersey, was a former professional baseball catcher and manager who played in Major League Baseball (MLB) from 1964 to 1973 for the Los Angeles Dodgers and California Angels. As a catcher, he played a key role in notable games, including catching Sandy Koufax's perfect game in 1965 and Bill Singer’s no-hitter in 1970, as well as Nolan Ryan's first no-hitter in 1973. After his playing career, Torborg transitioned into coaching and managing, beginning as the bullpen coach for the Cleveland Indians in 1977, later becoming their manager. He went on to manage the Chicago White Sox, New York Mets, Montreal Expos, and Florida Marlins. Torborg's managerial career was marked by successes, such as winning the American League Manager of the Year Award in 1990 with the White Sox. However, his time with the Mets and Marlins was less successful, leading to his firing in both instances. In the 1990s, Torborg found work as a broadcaster, contributing to CBS Radio and Fox, including color commentary for several World Series. He later returned to managing the Expos and Marlins before retiring from coaching. Torborg was also a color commentator for the Atlanta Braves on FSN South in 2006. His personal life saw him marry Suzie Barber in 1963, and his son, Dale, became a professional wrestler. Torborg, who battled Parkinson's disease, passed away on January 19, 2025, at the age of 83. Who was Bob Uecker? Bob Uecker, born January 26, 1934, and passed away January 16, 2025, was a celebrated American professional baseball catcher and sportscaster, widely known for his 54-season tenure as the play-by-play announcer for the Milwaukee Brewers. Uecker began his career in 1956 with the Milwaukee Braves, making his major league debut in 1962 and playing as a backup catcher for several teams, including the Braves, St. Louis Cardinals, and Philadelphia Phillies. He won a World Series with the Cardinals in 1964. After retiring in 1967, Uecker transitioned to broadcasting, becoming a beloved figure with his humorous, self-deprecating style. He worked for the Brewers from 1971 and became known for his catchphrases, such as "Get up! Get up! Get outta here! Gone!" He also gained fame through acting, particularly for his role on the sitcom Mr. Belvedere and as Harry Doyle in the Major League films. Uecker received numerous accolades, including the 2003 Ford C. Frick Award, recognizing his significant contributions to baseball broadcasting. His career extended beyond baseball, with appearances in commercials, television shows, and even wrestling events. Uecker's legacy is cemented through his enduring impact on sports broadcasting and his widespread popularity, earning him honors like induction into the National Radio Hall of Fame and the Wisconsin Sports Hall of Fame. More: Bob Uecker, born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on January 26, 1934, was a professional baseball player who became a renowned actor and broadcaster. Although he had a six-season career in Major League Baseball, his time on the field was largely spent as a backup catcher, with a batting average of .200 and 14 home runs. After retiring from baseball in 1967, Uecker worked for the Atlanta Braves in their media department before becoming the "Voice of the Brewers" in 1970. He was widely recognized for his humor, often poking fun at his playing career, and became a beloved figure in baseball. Uecker’s broadcasting career flourished, and he was known for his deadpan humor and iconic commercials. He also appeared on television, including a starring role on the sitcom Mr. Belvedere from 1985 to 1990, and in films like Major League. Uecker received the Ford Frick Award from the Hall of Fame in 2003 and was honored with a statue outside Miller Park in 2012. Despite undergoing open-heart surgery twice, he continued working as a broadcaster, with his 50th anniversary celebrated in 2021. Uecker remained active in the booth well into his 90s, calling his final game during the 2024 Wild Card Series. He passed away in January 2025 at the age of 90 after battling small cell lung cancer. Uecker's contributions to baseball and entertainment left a lasting legacy.

I shouldn't have done that at 7 o clock in the morning. It's supposed to be March 23, not February 23. That part has been fixed.

Mets signed some young'un named Abner Meza.

I changed the time to 5:30 PST to make it more amenable to all parties.

John Felske, who played and managed in the majors, died in 2024. Who was John Felske? John Frederick Felske was an American baseball player, coach, and manager who had a brief playing career in Major League Baseball and a more notable tenure as a manager. Born on May 30, 1942, Felske played as a catcher for the Chicago Cubs in 1968 and the Milwaukee Brewers in 1972 and 1973. Despite his limited playing time and struggles at the plate, where he batted just .135 with 14 hits and one home run, Felske transitioned into coaching and management after his playing days ended. He managed various minor league teams, including the Spokane Indians and Vancouver Canadians, before moving on to the major leagues. In 1984, Felske became the manager of the Philadelphia Phillies, taking over midway through the 1985 season after Paul Owens' resignation. Under his leadership, the Phillies had mixed results, with a 190-194 record across three seasons. Notably, he guided the team to a second-place finish in the National League East in 1986, but after a poor start in 1987, he was fired. Felske continued to contribute to baseball through coaching roles in the minor leagues and spent several seasons with the Toronto Blue Jays before his MLB managerial stint. He passed away on November 30, 2024. https://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/player.php?p=felskjo01

He was actually a really good prospect ...... 10 years ago.

It only ever seems to be a flawed system when the guy someone wants in doesn't get in or the outcome someone wants doesn't happen.

Pete waiting this long to sign reminds me of what Ian Desmond did a few years ago, then he had to settle on a cruddy contract. I don't think Pete realizes that he's not as good as he thinks he is, yet.

That's right. I get it when a player doesn't get 100% of the vote because a voter isn't sure if that player is a HOFer. And some voters come around. They believe, initially, that the player isn't HOF worthy but are persuaded over time that he is. But what's the logic for not voting for Warren Spahn? Or Rickey Henderson? Or Hank Aaron? Or Ted Williams? In the entire history of baseball, Mariano Rivera was the only player who deserved to go in unanimously on his first ballot? No one is deserving of anything. If I had a hunch that someone might push 100%, I'd probably not vote for him, just to be the counterpoint. Groupthink and conformity are terribly dangerous.

That's right. I should've written "for the most part" instead of "that's right". On occasion, the HOF worthiness of a candidate is in reasonable doubt or question. So it's understandable when some players are inducted into the HOF with less than 100% of the vote. But there's no reasonable argument for withholding a vote from Seaver. Or Mays. Or Mantle. Or dozens and dozens of other players. Including Ichiro. You just fabricated some standards out of thin air to rationalize Ichiro's non-vote. On man's "fabrications" are another man's "hypotheticals."

Looking for three teams to fill out this year's edition of the league! https://baseball.fantasysports.yahoo.com/b1/15342/invitation?key=3df57d971371427b&soc_trk=lnk&ikey=cc1e09dc1e4cd472

Well, by that logic, if every player is a Hall of Famer or he isn't, then every player that earns election should earn 100% support. Ichiro is a great, but not an all-time great. He spent nearly ten years of his career as a total dog. And before then, though he hit for sexy high averages, he was mostly just a singles hitter. If I were a voter, I could easily understand doing a little voting strategery to keep some less-discussed players on the ballot. In doing so, I could easily see myself dropping a Suzuki—a shoo-in—for someone who is just holding on. A lot of eventual Hall of Famers just hold on in the early going these days. Wagner earned 10% support his first two tries. Same with Scott Rolen. Todd Helton earned just 16%. Larry Walker's vote totals dropped to about 10% a few times. So I could see doing a little strategery.

Ichiro wasn't deserving of 100 percent. 100 percent implies perfection and that latter half of his career was anything but. A great class nevertheless. With the weak batch of first timers next go-around, Beltran and Andruw Jones are lined up very well for election. After that, it looks like there will be some sparse elections, as none of the other holdovers are particularly close. Sabathia probably didn't deserve the first ballot, but with Felix Hernandez getting 20 percent on his first try, you can tell the standard for starters has fallen precipitously. [YOUTUBE]j5KS0OoRJUo[/YOUTUBE]

Brent Billingsley, who pitched for the Marlins in 1999, died December 25. https://www.rosehills.com/obituaries/whittier-ca/brent-billingsley-12191883 Who was Brent Billingsley? Brent Aaron Billingsley was a left-handed relief pitcher who briefly played in Major League Baseball for the Florida Marlins during the 1999 season. Born on April 19, 1975, in Downey, California, he attended Chino High School and later played college baseball at California State University, Fullerton, after transferring from East Carolina University. Billingsley was drafted by the Marlins in the 5th round of the 1996 MLB Draft. In his short MLB career, he appeared in eight games, pitching a total of 7.2 innings. He was known for his left-handed bat and pitching. Billingsley's career in the majors was brief, with his final game taking place in October 1999. Billingsley passed away on December 25, 2024, at the age of 49.

Wayne Simpson, a member of the Big Red Machine in the 1970s, died December 12. https://www.online-tribute.com/WayneKirbySimpson Who was Wayne Simpson? Wayne Simpson was a pitcher whose career began with great promise but was ultimately derailed by injuries. Drafted eighth overall by the Cincinnati Reds in 1967, Simpson overcame early struggles with control in the minors to make a sensational major league debut in 1970. The tall and athletic right-hander became a key part of a young Reds pitching staff that contributed to the team’s dominant 70-30 start and eventual pennant win. In his debut, he threw a two-hit shutout against the Los Angeles Dodgers, and his rookie season featured an impressive 14-3 record with a 3.02 ERA, earning him a spot on the National League All-Star team. However, Simpson’s heavy workload, combined with a torn rotator cuff sustained midseason, marked the beginning of a steep decline. Despite efforts to return, he was unable to pitch in the postseason and never fully regained his velocity or dominance in subsequent years. Following his trade to the Kansas City Royals in 1972, Simpson continued to pitch in the majors and later in Mexico but was plagued by injuries, including thoracic outlet syndrome, which threatened his health and career. By 1977, his major league career ended, and his story remains a cautionary tale of a young star whose potential was cut short by injuries and the lack of advanced medical treatments available at the time.

Tommy Brown, one of the few remaining players from the 1940s, the last guy to debut before 1945, and the last member of the pennant-winning 1947 and 1949 Dodgers, has passed away. https://www.truebluela.com/2025/1/17/24344995/tommy-brown-dodgers Who was Tommy Brown? Tommy Brown, nicknamed "Buckshot," was a remarkable baseball player who debuted in Major League Baseball (MLB) at just 16 years old during the World War II manpower shortage. Signed by the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1944, Brown became the youngest non-pitcher to play in a major league game and quickly made an impression despite his youth. In 1945, he set a record as the youngest player to hit a home run, a feat he achieved at 17 years and 257 days, a record that still stands. Known for his strong but erratic arm, Brown transitioned through various positions during his career and played for the Dodgers, Phillies, and Cubs. He also had memorable moments in the Southern Association, including a record-breaking streak of reaching base 20 consecutive times. After retiring from major league baseball at 25, Brown worked at a Ford glass plant in Nashville for 35 years, reflecting on his unconventional childhood spent working on docks and playing street ball. Brown passed away in 2025 at the age of 97, leaving a legacy as a record-setting player and the last surviving major leaguer to debut before the end of World War II. Also, who was Brian Matusz? Brian Matusz, a standout left-handed pitcher, was the first pitcher selected in the 2008 MLB Draft, going fourth overall to the Baltimore Orioles. A Phoenix native, he excelled in high school and college, earning accolades for his dominant performances, including being named a second-team All-American and West Coast Conference Pitcher of the Year at the University of San Diego. Matusz made his MLB debut with the Orioles in 2009, quickly establishing himself as a promising talent with a strong rookie season in 2010, where he finished fifth in Rookie of the Year voting. Despite early success, injuries and inconsistent performances marred his career, including a record-setting losing streak in 2012. Transitioning to a bullpen role, he found renewed success as a reliever before being traded to the Braves in 2016 and later appearing briefly for the Cubs during their World Series-winning season. After his MLB career, Matusz played in the minors, independent leagues, and internationally before retiring. Tragically, he died in January 2025 at the age of 37 from an apparent drug overdose. Known for his talent and resilience, Matusz's career reflected both the high pressures and challenges of professional baseball.

Sounds poetic. And thus proclaimed the opening of the winter window A gust, a howl, where shall the winter wind blow? *Snap snap snap snap snap snap* Thank you, thank you. Also, the Mets cut ties with Edward Olivares so he can play in the Land of the Rising Sun.

Adam Warren was better, but this one might be a surprise in a Danny/Alex Young kinda way. They also signed a whole new batch of youngsters who'll play 6 games in the DSL and be released in two years: Agreed to terms on minor league contacts with INFs Elian Pena, Giomar Ubiera, Jose Padilla, Yorber Semprun and Roni Garcia, RHPs Yobanny Sanchez, Kleber Gamez, Jose Vielma, Darling Perez and Olmedo Barria, LHP Pablo Medina, Cs Adrian Silva and Jose Serracin and OFs Aiberson Blanco and Jhonael Cuello.

Paul Blackburn, Tylor Megill, David Peterson, Jose Siri, Tyrone Taylor and Luis Torrens all agreed to one-year contracts, avoiding arbitration.

Harvey Branch, who played a single game for the Cardinals in 1962, died January 15, 2021, but his passing went unnoticed until just recently. Yours truly found this one and submitted it to SABR. https://sabr.box.com/shared/static/8tvkhajhb864n0qdc4ftyu8wzq9h3xxp.pd Who was Harvey Branch? "Harvey Alfred Branch, a left-handed pitcher, had a brief Major League Baseball career consisting of a single start for the St. Louis Cardinals on September 18, 1962. Acquired from the Chicago Cubs earlier that month in exchange for pitcher Paul Toth, Branch faced his former team, allowing three runs over five innings and taking the loss in a 4–3 defeat. This game marked his only MLB appearance, with career totals of five innings pitched, three earned runs, five walks, and two strikeouts. Branch's professional baseball career spanned seven seasons in the minor leagues, where he found notable success, including a standout year with the San Antonio Missions in 1962, posting 216 strikeouts in 237 innings. Earlier in his career, while with the Paris Lakers, Branch once struck out 21 batters in a single game. After leaving baseball in 1964, Branch pursued higher education, earning degrees from Alabama State University and Jacksonville Theological Seminary. He became a chaplain, pastor, and author, dedicating his post-baseball life to spiritual and community service. Branch passed away in 2021, though news of his death was not widely reported until 2024."

Good to see the Mets trawling indy leagues for talent. They do it quite a bit it seems. Seems like a good way to find a lot of diamonds in the rough.

A pretty big name to get this thread going. Don't have a cow, but Bob Veale, a two-time All-Star pitcher for the Pirates in the 1960s, died January 7. https://www.al.com/sports/2025/01/birminghams-bob-veale-all-star-pitcher-with-pittsburgh-pirates-in-1960s-has-died-at-89.html Who was Bob Veale? Bob Veale, one of the most dominant strikeout pitchers of his era, enjoyed a remarkable Major League Baseball career from 1962 to 1974, primarily with the Pittsburgh Pirates before finishing with the Boston Red Sox. Known for his overpowering fastball, Veale led the National League in strikeouts in 1964 and remains the Pirates’ modern-era single-season strikeout leader with 276 in 1965. A two-time All-Star, he posted four seasons with 200+ strikeouts and seven seasons with 200+ innings pitched. Despite battling injuries later in his career, Veale transitioned to a bullpen role and was part of the Pirates’ 1971 World Series-winning team. Over his career, he compiled a 120–95 record with a 3.07 ERA and remains a top figure in Pirates history for his strikeout achievements. Following his retirement, Veale served as a minor-league pitching instructor and was inducted into the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame in 2006. He passed away on January 7, 2025, at the age of 89.

1970s baseball player Tommy Smith died in November. https://www.tributearchive.com/obituaries/33607083/tommy-alexander-smith Who was Tommy Smith? Tommy Alexander Smith (born August 1, 1948) was former Major League Baseball outfielder who played five seasons in the majors, primarily with the Cleveland Indians and the Seattle Mariners. Smith attended Lincoln High School and North Carolina State University, where he played college baseball and was named an All-Star in the Cape Cod Baseball League in 1969. He was drafted by the Cleveland Indians in the third round of the 1970 MLB Draft and spent several years in their farm system, making brief appearances with the major league club from 1973 to 1975. In 1976, he earned more playing time, appearing in 55 games and batting .256. Prior to the 1977 season, Smith was selected by the Seattle Mariners in the expansion draft. However, his time with the Mariners was limited to just 21 games, and he finished his MLB career with a .259 batting average. Before his major league career, Smith had an impressive run as a pitcher for North Carolina State, helping the team reach the College World Series semifinals in 1968. After retiring from baseball, Smith became a private baseball instructor and ran instructional camps.

The Nationals signed formerly well-regarded prospect Junior Santos.