Redleg Nation asks you to keep former Reds manager Dave Miley in your thoughts. He just lost his 17-year-old son in a car accident.

Skip Caray passed away in his sleep:

"Our baseball community has lost a legend today," said Braves President John Schuerholz. "The Braves family and Braves fans everywhere will sadly miss him. Our thoughts are with his wife Paula and his children."

I always enjoyed Skip's broadcasts on TBS, and thought those productions were some of the best in baseball broadcasting. I'll miss his voice.

My thoughts go out to his family and friends.

Dave Ricketts, long time catchng coach for the Cardinals, passed away Sunday:

Some called him Dave, most called him Mr. Ricketts, and Yadier Molina, sitting at his locker after the Cardinals' victory Sunday, said he "was like my dad."

"I'm here because of him," Molina said. "He made me into a catcher. I wasn't a catcher when I got here. I learned a lot from him. He was like my dad, there for me since I was 17. He meant so much to me."

My thoughts go out to his family and friends.

Bobby Murcer died today.

The Yankees said Murcer died Saturday due to complications from brain cancer. He was surrounded by family at Mercy Hospital in his hometown of Oklahoma City, the team said. "Bobby Murcer was a born Yankee, a great guy, very well-liked and a true friend of mine," owner George Steinbrenner said. "I extend my deepest sympathies to his wife Kay, their children and grandchildren. I will really miss the guy."

Murcer was diagnosed with a brain tumor on Christmas Eve 2006 after having headaches. He had surgery that week in Houston and doctors later determined the tumor was malignant. Determined to be around his beloved Yankees, Murcer returned to the broadcast booth last year and briefly this season.

I started watching the Yankees in 1969. Murcer was a star of that team and became one of my favorites. I remember listening to a game (back then, only three of four a week were on TV) when Murcer hit three home runs and drove in five against Kansas City. After the third homer, the announcer said the score was Murcer 5, Royals 0.

My thought go out to his family and friends.

Longtime Mets employee Jim Plummer dies way to young.

Jim Plummer, who had been with the New York Mets organization since he was Nolan Ryan's minor-league bat boy in 1965, died Tuesday at New York University Medical Center. He was 56.

Plummer had a liver and kidney transplant last weekend and died of a heart attack, Mets spokesman Jay Horwitz said.

Plummer started with the Mets in Marion, Va., and moved up to the major-league team in 1976. At the time of his death, he was director of corporate sales.

I've had a number of people ask over the years how they might get a job in sports. Plummer's path appears to be a common one. You need to be willing to do the little jobs in the minor leagues and with luck you move up to the major league club. My thoughts go out to his family and friends.

John Buzhardt, former major league pitchers, died Sunday. Bob Spear remembers:

John Buzhardt and I met at the Mid-Carolina Country Club grill room to talk about his professional baseball career, and seldom has an interview been so entertaining.

He pitched well for the White Sox, not so well for his other teams. He's the type of pitcher who would have won a good number of games for a team that could hit, but he never really played for one of those. My thoughts go out to his family and friends.

Big League Stew remembers Bo Diddley's connection to baseball.

Geremi Gonzalez died Sunday, struck by lightning.

Emergency management official Herman Bracho said Monday that Gonzalez was struck by lightning at a beach.

Gonzalez pitched for five major league teams from 1997-2006. He was 11-9 with a 4.25 ERA for the Cubs in "97 and 7-7 with a 5.32 ERA in '98 before developing arm problems. The right-hander appeared in 131 games and made 83 starts, compiling a 30-35 record.

My thoughts go out to his family and friends.

A fan died after falling off an escalator at Turner Field, much like this tragedy earlier in the year at Shea.

Alcohol may have been involved, Campbell said.

Hayes was reported to have been sliding on a handrail in the bottom of the 8th inning when he slipped off. He was rushed to Grady Memorial Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

My thoughts go out to his family and friends. There's no excuse for this. Our moms told us not to play on the escalator, and we should remember their words of wisdom.

Couple with this murder after a Giants game, and it hasn't been a good year for fans.

Terry Francona will miss two games due to the death of his mother-in-law. My condolences go out to Terry and his family.

A young man died after being punched outside AT&T Park on Friday.

Anthony Giraudo fell and hit his head on concrete, Gittens said.

Robert Giraudo said he had been told that his son was punched from behind after objecting to something that had been said to a female friend. Giraudo was in a group of five friends who were leaving the game, the father said.

Gittens identified the suspect as Taylor Buckley, 18, of San Carlos. He was arrested for aggravated assault at the ballpark, then made bail and was released.

When Giraudo was pronounced dead at noon Saturday, homicide inspectors obtained a $1 million arrest warrant alleging murder; Buckley turned himself in at the San Francisco Hall of Justice at 9:30 p.m. Saturday, Gittens said.

Buzzie Bavasi died today:

His death was announced by the Seattle Mariners, whose general manager is Bill Bavasi, a son of the former Dodgers GM.

"Buzzie was one of the game's greatest front office executives during a period that spanned parts of six different decades," baseball commissioner Bud Selig said. "He loved the game, and he loved talking about it."

Emil Joseph Bavasi's Dodgers teams included future Hall of Famers Jackie Robinson, Duke Snider, Sandy Koufax and Don Drysdale. Bavasi later was part owner and president of the San Diego Padres before becoming executive vice president of the California Angels.

He oversaw one of the great eras of Dodgers baseball, from 1951 to 1968. Bob and Peter Bavasi are readers of this site, so my sincere condolences go out to them, and my thought go out to the entire Bavasi family and all Buzzie's friends.

Former Red Sox catcher John Marzano passed away this morning:

Details still aren't clear at this point, but it appears to be a heart attack. He was 45. Red Sox manager Terry Francona just spoke about it during his daily press conference with the local media.

Marzano played for the Sox from 1987 to 1992.

Joe McDonald has a good Marzano story at the link. My thoughts go out to his family and friends. At that young age, there are going to be plenty of the latter.

A man died Tuesday night when he lost his balance on an escalator at Shea Stadium:

Antonio Nararainsami, 36, and several relatives, including his two young daughters, were leaving the stadium at the end of Tuesday night's game against the Washington Nationals when he fell in a section below the left field stands and landed on a concrete floor. Nararainsami, a Guyanese native who lived in Brooklyn, was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead half an hour later.

Kevin Prashad, a cousin who attended the game, said Nararainsami was walking down the escalator, which wasn't moving, and was holding the hand rail when he "lost his footing."

The Mets said in a statement that they had been "advised of a tragic accident that resulted in the death of a fan." They said team officials and police were investigating.

"Our deepest and heartfelt condolences go out to the fan's family," the team's statement said.

This was the second such accident in Shea's history. My thought go out to Mr. Nararainsami's family and friends.

Tommy Holmes passed away earlier today. He held the modern National League hit streak record before Pete Rose passed him. My thoughts go out to his family and friends.

Walt Masterson, famous for pitching sixteen shutout innings in a game without getting the decision, passed away in Durham, NC.

"Masterson was something out of this world," The Washington Post said the next day. In the 16 innings he was on the mound, he gave up only six hits -- all of them singles -- struck out seven batters and walked six, two on purpose.

Tall and rangy, with one of the better fastballs in the American League, Mr. Masterson was a better pitcher than his record indicated. He made the all-star team twice, in 1947 and 1948, and was the starting pitcher in the 1948 game.

Masterson walked 50 more than he struck out in 1948. You won't see a pitcher like that starting the all-star game today.

My thoughts go out to his family and friends.

Update: Peter Gammons writes:

Walt Masterson beat the Red Sox 5-1 on June 28, 1952, the first major league game I ever attended.

Bob Purkey passed away Sunday. He put in some very good seasons for the Cincinnati Reds, helping them to a World Series appearance in 1961 and following that season with a 23-5 record in 1962. Purkey's strength was his control. He only walked batters once every four innings, but he didn't strike out many more than that. He finished his career with a better than average 3.79 ERA.

My thoughts go out to his family and friends.

Alex Belth remembers W.C. Heinz and Myron Cope.

Karl Ehrhardt passed away. He was the Shea Stadium sign man. My thoughts go out to his family and friends.

My favorite was during the 1973 World Series. Charlie Finley had fired one of his second basemen after he made an error. So whenever the A's made an error, Karl held up a sign that said, "You're fired." Maybe that's where Donald Trump got the idea. :-)

Bob Ryan, sportswriter for the Boston Globe, lost his son overseas. My condolences to the Ryan family.

I doubt Miguel Tejada cares much about the Congressional investigation right now:

An older brother of Major League Baseball star Miguel Tejada was killed in a traffic accident Tuesday, the shortstop's Dominican winter league team said.

Freddy Tejada died when his motorcycle collided with an SUV in the coastal city of Bani, the Aguilas Cibaenas said in a statement.

My thoughts go out to Miguel and his family.

What is it with motorcycles hitting cars in the D.R.? This sounds similar to the accident that seriously injured Juan Lara.

Joe Kennedy died of natural causes.

Don Cardwell passed away on Monday. He was both a Cubs hero and villain:

Traded by the Phillies for Tony Taylor and Cal Neeman on May 13, 1960, Cardwell became the first pitcher to pitch a no-hitter in his first start with a new team.

The only baserunner was Alex Grammas on a first-inning walk. Cardwell retired the next 26 batters, including two in the ninth on nice catches by George Altman and Moryn.

"It was great, and I have thoroughly enjoyed it," Cardwell said later. "All my career, people have come up to me and said, 'Did you pitch a no-hitter?' and I can say, 'Yes, yes I did.' "

Many forget that Cardwell also helped the Mets overcome the 1969 Cubs, pitching a 1-0 shutout on Sept. 12 and driving in the only run. It was the ninth victory in 10 games for the Mets, who had passed the Cubs two days earlier.

Cardwell was not a great pitcher, but with the no-hitter and his run with the 1969 Mets, he's well remembered. My thoughts go out to his family and friends.

Via Baseball Think Factory, Johnny Podres died on Sunday. He had a fine career and is known best for pitching the Dodgers to a World Series title in 1955. In six series starts, he posted a 2.11 ERA.

He also made his mark as a pitching coach:

Podres was essentially a three-pitch pitcher - fastball, curveball and changeup - all of which, Zimmer said, were exceptional. He is credited with being one of the greatest masters of the changeup, having taught it to dozens of pitchers, including Curt Schilling and Frank Viola, in later years as a pitching coach with the Red Sox, Twins and Phillies. As a pitching coach, Podres was strictly old school, scoffing at pitch counts, and that was probably the result of having hurled 77 complete games himself. In 1993, he took a Phillies staff that had ranked last in the National League in ERA the previous year to the World Series.

The Phillies ERA only dropped a few points, from 4.11 to 3.95, but with the surge in offense in 1993, that drop was good enough to rank the Phillies sixth in ERA.

My thoughts go out to his family and friends.

Buddy LeRoux, a former part owner of the Red Sox, died Monday:

He rose from serving as a Red Sox trainer from 1966-1974 to one of its owners. He served as the team's vice president from 1978-1979, then became an owner until 1986.

I don't remember the LeRoux era fondly.

But LeRoux and his limited partners grew restive when the Red Sox fell from contention and attendance dropped at Fenway Park. Part of the club's decline was due to fiscal belt-tightening and refusal to sign free agents, although it was not clear which general partner ordered the policy. In the event, in 1983, the team suffered its first losing campaign since 1966. On June 6, 1983, at a night benefitting former Red Sox star Tony Conigliaro, incapacitated at age 37 by a heart attack, LeRoux took advantage of a crowded press box by announcing that he and his limited partners were exercising an option in their partnership agreement to overthrow Sullivan and Yawkey and take command of the club. Boston called it the Coup LeRoux.

The two ousted general partners immediately filed suit against LeRoux, were granted an injunction, and then battled him in court over the next 12 months. The trial revealed unflattering details about all the principals and how the Red Sox were run, and in the end, LeRoux lost. He was removed as the team's vice president, administration, and his allies were purged from management. Within two years, Mrs. Yawkey had bought him out for a reported $7 million[1] to become majority general partner in the team.

My thoughts go out to his family and friends.

Jerry Staley passed away Wednesday. Staley pitched well from 1947 to 1961, sometimes quite well. It's an impressive career for someone with a K per 9 of 3.3. His walks allowed were even lower, and I'm guessing the defense behind him were pretty good.

My thoughts go out to his family and friends.

Via Instapundit, Andrew Olmstead, a supporter of Baseball Musings from the beginning, died in Iraq. He left a final post for his blog in case this happened. I will miss his comments.

My deepest sympathies go out to his family and friends.

Jim Beauchamp died of leukemia on Thursday. He was an extremely poor hitter for a first baseman/outfielder, even in the deadball era. But he went on to a successful coaching career with the Braves, and was associated with the organization for 22 years.

My thoughts go out to his family and friends.

Pitcher Joe Kennedy died:

Major league pitcher Joe Kennedy died early Friday morning while at home with his family in Florida, agent Damon Lapa confirmed to ESPN.com.

The cause of Kennedy's death could not immediately be determined, Lapa said. Initial indications are Kennedy may have suffered a brain aneurysm or heart attack, he said.

I was impressed with Joe Kennedy's 2004 season, in which he posted a 3.66 ERA while pitching 162 1/3 innings for Colorado. At age 25, I thought he turned a corner, but he was never able to repeat that kind of performance again.

My thoughts go out to his family and friends.

Glenallen Hill is wearing a helmet as he coaches first base for the Rockies. Looks like he's taking the dangers of the position seriously. Good for him, and I hope it starts a trend.

The Rockies just took a 3-2 led in the top of the fifth as Holliday drives in Tulowitzki. Troy singles, stole, moved up to third on a wild pitch so he was in position to score on the hit.

Update: Atkins and Hawpe add hits to drive in three more runs as the Rockies go up 6-2 on San Diego in their effort to climb in the wild card race.

Update: Mike Cameron brings the Padres back to a one run deficit with a three-run homer in the bottom of the fifth. He hit it to dead-center. At PETCO, it's even more impressive.

Update: Sledge and Kouzmanoff drive in three more as the Rockies bullpen falls apart. The Padres are up 8-6.

Update: The hits keep coming as Pete LaForest homers to chase Affeldt from the game. He faced five batters, didn't get an out, and all five scored. The Padres are still up in an eight-run fifth.

Update: The hits keep on coming as the Giles brothers combine for another run as the inning ends with nine runs scoring with two outs and the Padres lead 11-6.

Phil Rizzuto died today:

Phil Rizzuto, the Hall of Fame shortstop during the Yankees' dynasty years and beloved by a generation of fans for exclaiming "Holy cow!" as a broadcaster, died Tuesday. He was 89.

His death was confirmed by the Yankees. Rizzuto had been in declining health for several years and was living at a nursing home in West Orange, N.J.

Phil was one of the first broadcasters I heard growing up with New York television. While he was often derided later in his career for his talk of cannoli and leaving the game early, he could be quite incisive. Bill White, his broadcast partner for many years (and one of the best in the business) did a great job of pulling Phil back into the game and bringing out Rizzuto's knowledge of hitting and fielding. Once White left the broadcast booth, Rizzuto's intelligence was lost.

Phil was one of my dad's favorite players, and the only time we had a heated baseball argument was when I suggested Rizzuto doesn't belong in the Hall of Fame. However, for two years in a row, he finished 2nd and 1st in the MVP balloting, so voters in the late 1940s thought he was among the best in the game. His 1950 season was quite impressive for a short stop.

My thoughts go out to his family and friends.

The bridge collapse in Minnesota caused the postponement of today's Twins game, and of the ground breaking ceremony for the new stadium. Joe Christensen reported from the stadium last night.

I spoke with Twins president Dave St. Peter, and he said the decision to play tonight's 7:10 game as scheduled was made after speaking with department of transportation officials. The theory was that sending 20,000-25,000 people back into traffic would only make it more congested for the emergency crews.

It sounds like tomorrow's game will be postponed. The team is working on a statement, and an announcement is coming soon. At 7:08, the team made an announcement over the PA alerting the fans of the collapsed bridge, asking for their prayers and reminding people if they needed to leave to do so calmly. Also, people were asked to only use cell phones if necessary.

La Velle and I keep commenting on how hard it is to focus on the game. "What just happened? How did Alex Gordon just reach base?" It all feels so trivial right now.

My thoughts go out to the families and friends of the victims.

Bill Robinson passed away today:

Bill Robinson, the Dodgers' Minor League hitting coordinator, died Sunday, the club announced. He was 64, and cause of death was not known. Memorial services are pending.

"Bill was a wonderful family man and a great baseball player, coach, manager and friend to everyone he met," said Dodger general manager Ned Colletti. "Even though he never played for the Dodgers, it was an honor that he chose to be a part of the organization. Everyone he came into contact with was better for having known him.

"He had everyone's best interest in mind at all times, and he cared deeply about the development of our young players. He will be missed by everyone in the game of baseball, and our deepest sympathies are with his family, particularly Mary Alice, Bill Jr. and Kelley."

I worked with Bill for two years at ESPN and I echo Ned Colletti's sentiments. Bill was a great guy, always a gentleman, always appreciative of any help you sent his way. I once reminded him of a catch I saw him make when he was playing for the Yankees in 1969, falling into the stands to steal a home run. He remembered the catch, but felt old when I offered that I was only nine when that happened. I'll always remember him fondly.

My thoughts go out to his family and friends.

Mike Coolbaugh died last night after being hit by a line drive during a AA game:

Tulsa Drillers coach Mike Coolbaugh died after being struck in the head by a line drive as he stood in the first-base coach's box during a game.

The Texas League game was suspended in the ninth inning Sunday after the 35-year-old former major leaguer was hit by a foul ball off the bat of Tino Sanchez of the Arkansas Travelers. Coolbaugh was taken to Baptist Medical Center-North Little Rock, where he was pronounced dead.

"It's a tragedy for all of baseball," Drillers president Chuck Lamson told the Tulsa World in a story posted on the newspaper's Web site early Monday. "He just joined the staff and was a former Driller player. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family."

As do mine. His wife is expecting their third child. I can't imagine how horrible the hitter must feel. Base runners are required to wear helmets on the bases, I wonder if coaches be required to wear them after this.

Former closer Rod Beck passed away Saturday:

Neither Thurman nor Phoenix police disclosed the cause of the death.

Beck had two daughters, both of whom were at a camp in California and were being told about their father's death in person by their mother.

Beck was born and raised in California but had settled in Arizona after his professional career ended three years ago.

In 1993, at age 24, Beck developed into one of the game's best closers, saving 48 games for the Giants and finishing 12th in the National League Most Valuable Player balloting.

My thoughts go out to his family and friends.

Sports writer Larry Whiteside died Friday:

Whiteside had worked for The Boston Globe from 1973 until he was sidelined by Parkinson's disease in the past decade. The paper reported his death on its Web site.

"I am truly saddened by the news of his passing, as he was an extraordinary person," said baseball commissioner Bud Selig, who was the Milwaukee Brewers' owner when Whiteside covered their first four seasons. "He was one of the finest journalists and finest friends that I have ever encountered. I will certainly miss him."

My thoughts go out to his family and friends.

The police report on Hancock just hit the wires:

St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Josh Hancock was drunk at the time of his fatal accident, and marijuana was found in the sport utility vehicle he was driving.

Police Chief Joe Mokwa also said at a news conference Friday that the 29-year-old Hancock was speaking on a cell phone at about the time of the crash early Sunday on Interstate 64 in St. Louis.

So he's intoxicated, speeding, talking on a cellphone and not wearing a seat belt. I hope a few people learn a lesson about risky behavior from this. Maybe this is why Edmonds didn't want the team talking to the press yesterday.

There's a report that alcohol was involved in the death of Josh Hancock:

Cardinals pitcher Josh Hancock was in a potentially serious traffic accident less than three days before the one that took his life Sunday, according to police reports.

Hancock walked away from that early Thursday morning crash uninjured, but he was late for the team's afternoon game a few hours later. The club and several teammates said he had overslept.

But sources say he was late because he was hung over.

Two nights later, after pitching in a Saturday afternoon game, Hancock spent the evening at Mike Shannon's Steaks and Seafood drinking to a point of impairment, according to a couple at the restaurant.

The couple said they overheard Hancock telling ESPN broadcaster Dave Campbell that manager Tony La Russa had been infuriated with Hancock on Thursday because he was "too hung over to play." A club source also said Hancock was hung over when he arrived at the ballpark.

Hancock was killed about 12:30 a.m. Sunday as he drove west from downtown, apparently headed to meet with four teammates in Clayton.

I can't say I'm surprised. My guess is he fell asleep behind the wheel.

The Cardinals hung a Josh Hancock jersey in the dugout and bullpen tonight for their game in Milwaukee. Tim Hudson played with Josh at Auburn, and he received permission to wear JH on the front of his jersey.

Josh Hancock died in a car accident this morning:

The Cardinals said they were told of the 29-year-old reliever's death by the St. Louis Police Department. The team's home game against the Chicago Cubs on Sunday night was postponed.

The team said the accident happened in St. Louis, but no other details were disclosed. The Cardinals and police are expected to make a statement this afternoon at Busch Stadium.

Hancock pitched his best season in 2006 for the Cardinals. He brought his strikeout rate up and his walk rate down. He was off to another good start this year.

My thoughts go out to his family and friends.

Update: The St. Louis Post-Dispatch provides more information:

Hancock's Ford Explorer slammed into the rear of a tow truck that was parked in the far left westbound lane shortly after 12:30 a.m. The tow truck driver, who was seated in the vehicle at the time, was unhurt.

He told police that his emergency lights were on, and that he honked his horn when he saw the Explorer approaching in his rear view mirror, but that the Exploer didn't slow down or swerve to avoid the collision.

At the time of the accident, the tow truck driver was assisting a motorist from an earlier accident.

David Halberstam died in a car accident:

Halberstam, a New Yorker, was a passenger in a car that was broadsided by another vehicle in Menlo Park, south of San Francisco, San Mateo County Coroner Robert Foucrault said.

...

The driver of the car carrying Halberstam is a student at the Graduate School of Journalism at the University of California, Berkeley, and was taken to Stanford Medical Center. Two others were injured.

My thoughts go out to his family and friends.

I really enjoyed The Teammates. It gave me a new respect for the Red Sox teams of the 40s. I've read chapters of Summer of '49, also. He had a talent for putting you in the moment with his writing. It's sad to see him go so unexpectedly.

Richard Hoyland writes:

I'm watching the Braves and the Nats at RFK tonight. The Nats are wearing various versions of Virginia Tech ballcaps. Nice touch---somebody's thinking in that organization.

Has anyone noticed if other organizations are doing anything similar?

Thanks to Rocky Top Talk.

Former Reds catcher Ed Baily died from cancer on Friday:

Al Neil, Bailey's brother-in-law, told The Knoxville News Sentinel that Bailey died at Parkwest Medical Center after being diagnosed with throat cancer about six months ago.

The five-time All-Star catcher from Strawberry Plains started his professional career with the Reds in 1953. Bailey hit 28 home runs in 1956 for Cincinnati, including three in one game.

Bailey posted impressive OBAs for a catcher. However, he wasn't a wiz on the bases, going 2 for 14 in one three year stretch trying to steal.

My thoughts go out to his family and friends.

Bowie Kuhn died today. My thoughts go out to his family and friends as they grieve their loss.

I'm no fan of the former commissioner, however. Kuhn let his personal animosity toward Charlie Finley get the better of him as he stopped the A's owner from selling three of his stars for big money instead of losing them to free agency. Finely could have used the money to rebuild his club, but instead just saw the players leave with no compensation. That confrontation brought about the rule that the commissioner has to approve cash transactions over a million dollars. It limited teams ability to realize value from their best players.

It was done in the name of the fans, that keeping the stars in Oakland the most important thing. But of course, without the cash, Finley couldn't afford to keep them around. It was a bad decision made for the wrong reason.

Dodger Thoughts remembers Clem Labine, former Dodgers pitcher, on the news of his passing. Seems he had Musial's number.

My thoughts go out to his family and friends.

Cory Lidle's family finds itself sued over the plane accident. The Pastime comments:

That's disgusting.

If this was anyone other than a baseball player (with money), this would never happen. A dentist -- who has been accused in the past of being less-than-upstanding -- decides that since his apartment had a broken window and loose bricks, he should sue the family of a man that died in an accident?

Agreed.

Baseball Musings is holding a pledge drive in March.

I just saw on ESPN.com that Dennis Johnson died during practice today. I'm not much of a basketball fan anymore, but DJ was one of my favorites during the Bird era. I loved the way he was able to force opponents to dribble into a dead area of the old Boston Garden floor, then steal the ball. What a tragedy.

My thoughts go out to his family, friends and teammates.

The Yankees will wear black arm bands to honor the memory of Cory Lidle this season.

Hank Bauer passed away today:

Bauer died in the Kansas City area, where he made his home, Yankees spokesman Jason Zillo said.

During 14 seasons in the major leagues, a career that spanned from 1948-61, Bauer became a three-time All-Star outfielder, helping the Yankees win seven World Series titles and nine AL pennants. He spent his first 12 seasons with the Yankees and his final two with the Kansas City Athletics.

In his final Series appearance, he hit .323 with four homers and eight RBI as the Yankees beat the Milwaukee Braves in seven games in 1958.

Bauer managed the Kansas City A's to ninth-place finishes in 1961 and 1962, then took over as manager of the Orioles in 1964.

I remember hearing this story on a Yankees broadcast when I was young. After Bauer started managing the Orioles, the Yankees came to town one day, and Mantle and Bauer went out on the town. Mantle was so hung over the next day he wasn't in the starting lineup. Late in the game, Mickey was put in to pinch hit. Bauer walks to the mound and tells the pitcher about the night out and Mantle's hangover. Bauer's advice was to throw the ball down the middle, Mantle would be an easy out. Mickey, of course, hits a home run and the Yankees win the game.

Unfortunately, the story can't be true. Mantle never hit a home run against a Bauer managed team in a game he didn't start.

My thoughts go out to his family and friends.

It seems like a lot of ballplayers are dying lately.

Lew Burdette died earlier today:

Burdette's greatest success came in the 1957 Series when he went 3-0 with an 0.67 ERA while pitching three complete games against the New York Yankees. He capped his performance with a seven-hit shutout in Game 7 at Yankee Stadium, finishing off a run of 24 straight scoreless innings.

"I have a boatload of memories about Lew Burdette," commissioner Bud Selig told The Associated Press by telephone from Milwaukee, where he grew up rooting for the Braves. "I think what I remember most was that he was a tremendous competitor. He pitched in pain, he pitched to win.

"Winning that Game 7 at Yankee Stadium, 5-0, Eddie Mathews fielding Moose Skowron's smash and stepping on third base for the final out. What a day that was," he said. "I kept in touch with him. He came back here quite a lot. The last time I saw him was at Warren Spahn's funeral."

My thoughts go out to his family and friends.

Max Lanier, pitcher for the Cardinals and father of Hal Lanier passed away last week at the ripe old age of 91.

Born Hubert Lanier in Denton, N.C., Max Lanier spent 12 seasons with the Cardinals between 1938 and 1951, pitching in the 1942, 1943 and 1944 World Series, posting a 2-1 record in seven games. The Cardinals beat the New York Yankees in 1942, lost a rematch the following year and beat the St. Louis Browns in 1944.

He led the National League with a 1.90 ERA in 1943. He had a career record of 108-82, including stints with the New York Giants and the Browns in 1952 and 1953. He later managed in the minor leagues.

Max put up pretty good numbers before WWII. Given that he and Musial played in St. Louis during most of that war, I've always wondered if someone at the St. Louis draft board tried to fix things for the Cardinals by keeping good players on the team out of the service at that time. Given the level of play in the rest of the majors, it's not surprising that a team with Lanier and Stan the Man did so well.

My thoughts go out to his family and friends.

Steve Barber passed away at a young age on Sunday.

Steve Barber, the first 20-game winner in Baltimore Orioles history, died from complications of pneumonia on Sunday night in at a hospital in Henderson, Nev., the team announced Monday. Barber was 67.

In a 15-season major league career, Barber was 121-106 with a 3.36 ERA. He was 95-75 in 7½ seasons with the Orioles.

Barber's career went downhill with the new strikezone in 1969. Through 1968, he posted a 3.18 ERA. After that, it ballooned to 4.17. It's tough to pin it on the strike zone however, since his K per 9 rate was constant at 5.9 per 9.

My thoughts go out to his family and friends.

Rules enacted after Cory Lidle's plane crash are now permanent:

This was revealed as the National Transportation Safety Board released papers Monday detailing its investigation of the Oct. 11 crash that killed Lidle and his flight instructor.

Included in the papers are toxicology reports showing that neither Lidle nor instructor Tyler Stanger had drugs or alcohol in their systems. The NTSB also found the airplane's global positioning device and cockpit display unit were too badly damaged by the fiery crash to reveal any information about the flight.

Pilots on this route will now need to be in contact with air traffic control.

Ray Berres, the second oldest ex-baseball player passed away:</