Baseball Passings 2024

[Edgy MD]

Bird and May also shared a tenure setting up Rich Gossage with the comically unstable Howser/Michael/Lemon Yankees of 1980-81.

I will henceforth refer to this as the MayBird Era.

[Chad ochoseis]

Doug Bird, Royals closer pre-Quisenberry, 74.

His teammates nicknamed him "The Fidrych".

[Cowtipper]

Who was Fernando Valenzuela?

Fernando Valenzuela, a charismatic left-handed pitcher from Mexico, became an international sensation in 1981 when he won both the Cy Young and Rookie of the Year awards in his debut Major League season with the Los Angeles Dodgers. His rise to stardom began with minor league success in Mexico before reaching the Dodgers, where his exceptional screwball pitch baffled hitters. His rookie season, known as "Fernandomania," saw him achieve a remarkable 8-0 start and led to him becoming a cultural icon, particularly among Los Angeles’ Latino community. Over the next decade, Valenzuela remained a top pitcher, known for his heavy workload and a distinctive upward glance during his windup. His intense usage, however, contributed to arm issues that slowed his performance by the late 1980s. He continued to play in both the U.S. and Mexico, earning numerous honors for his pitching and hitting. Valenzuela's contributions extended beyond the field; he was a Spanish-language commentator for Dodgers games, a coach for Mexico’s World Baseball Classic team, and was enshrined in several baseball halls of fame. In 2023, the Dodgers retired his iconic number 34, honoring his legacy and impact. He passed away in 2024 at age 63, following a battle with liver cancer.

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Fernando Valenzuela, nicknamed "El Toro," was a Mexican professional baseball pitcher who became a cultural icon, especially for the Los Angeles Dodgers. Valenzuela began his career in the Mexican leagues before joining the Dodgers in 1980, where he quickly gained attention with his unique pitching style, which included a screwball and an iconic upward gaze during his windup. His breakout year came in 1981, sparking "Fernandomania" as he led the Dodgers to a World Series victory and earned both the Cy Young and Rookie of the Year awards—a feat still unmatched. Valenzuela continued to dominate through the mid-1980s, becoming an All-Star six times and securing a historic contract. However, shoulder injuries eventually impacted his performance, and although he threw a no-hitter in 1990, he was released by the Dodgers in 1991. He went on to play for several other MLB teams and returned to pitch in Mexico before retiring. After his playing career, Valenzuela served as a Dodgers broadcaster from 2003 until his death in 2024, and in 2023, the team retired his No. 34. Known for his contributions to baseball and his cultural significance, he is remembered as one of the most successful Mexican-born players in MLB history.

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Fernando Valenzuela, known as "El Toro," is remembered as a transformative figure in baseball and a cultural icon. Initially estranged from the Dodgers after his 1991 release, Valenzuela returned in 2003 as a Spanish-language radio commentator, later joining TV broadcasts in 2015. He also served as a coach for Mexico's World Baseball Classic teams and purchased the Tigres de Quintana Roo in 2017. Valenzuela's baseball legacy is defined by his record-setting achievements, earning him a place in the Hispanic Heritage Baseball Museum Hall of Fame and the Caribbean Baseball Hall of Fame. Despite falling short of Baseball Hall of Fame eligibility, his impact remains legendary, particularly among Los Angeles' Chicano community. His rise with the Dodgers in the 1980s helped heal tensions following the Dodgers' controversial acquisition of Chavez Ravine. Valenzuela’s popularity transcended cultural divides, with his games attracting record crowds and solidifying his place in Dodgers history. The team retired his No. 34 in 2023, one of only two non-Hall-of-Famers honored this way. Valenzuela also became a U.S. citizen in 2015, later serving as a special ambassador for citizenship. He passed away on October 22, 2024, from liver cancer at age 63, and the Dodgers plan to honor him with a uniform patch in 2025.

Who was Rudy May?


Rudy May was an American left-handed pitcher who played Major League Baseball from 1965 to 1983 for the Angels, Yankees, Orioles, and Expos, known for his live fastball and impressive curveball. Starting his baseball journey in Oakland, California, where he was a high school teammate of Hall-of-Famer Joe Morgan, May signed with the Minnesota Twins in 1962 before a series of trades landed him with the Angels. He debuted in 1965 with a notable 9-inning, one-run game. After stints in the minor leagues, May returned to the majors in 1969, ultimately moving to the Yankees in 1974, where he played until a 1976 trade sent him to the Orioles, and later, the Expos. In 1980, May re-signed with the Yankees and achieved a career-best ERA of 2.46, leading the American League. Over his career, he reached 15-win seasons three times and surpassed 200 innings in six seasons. After retiring in 1983, he worked as a Circle K store manager. An avid diver, he passed away from diabetes complications on October 23, 2024, at age 80, remembered for his contributions to MLB and his 1980 ERA title.

[Cowtipper]

Joey Jay died.

https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituar ... y-12014172

Who was Joey Jay?

Joey Jay was an American Major League Baseball pitcher who played from 1953 to 1966 for the Milwaukee/Atlanta Braves and Cincinnati Reds. Known for his early career as a "bonus baby" — one of the first players who, by contract, had to be kept on the roster — Jay debuted at age 17, making him the first former Little League player to reach the majors. Early on, he pitched sparingly for the Braves, becoming more of a regular rotation member in 1959. A trade to the Reds in 1961 revitalized his career as he led the National League with 21 wins, helping the Reds capture the NL pennant and reaching his first All-Star team. In the World Series that year, Jay pitched a complete-game victory in Game 2, though the Reds ultimately fell to the Yankees. Jay matched his 21-win achievement in 1962, but heavy workloads took a toll, and he struggled in the following seasons. He returned to the Braves for his final MLB year in 1966 before retiring at age 31 with 99 wins, 999 strikeouts, and an ERA of 3.77. After baseball, Jay moved to Florida, where he became involved in various business ventures, including oil and transportation. Jay passed away on September 27, 2024, at 89, leaving a legacy as a pioneering young star and key figure in Cincinnati’s 1961 success.

Who was Doug Bird?

Doug Bird was an American Major League Baseball pitcher who played from 1973 to 1983, primarily known for his versatility as both a reliever and starter. Drafted by the Kansas City Royals in 1969, Bird was a key bullpen figure for the Royals, especially during their successful playoff runs from 1976 to 1978, where he achieved a 2.35 ERA in postseason play. Despite strong performances, he is most remembered for allowing a decisive home run to Thurman Munson in the 1978 American League Championship Series. Bird later played for the Philadelphia Phillies, where he participated in the historic 23-22 game against the Cubs in 1979, and for the Chicago Cubs, where he won his 1982 Opening Day start. He ended his MLB career with the Boston Red Sox in 1983, finishing with a 73-60 record, a 3.99 ERA, and 60 saves, the majority with Kansas City. Bird also played in the Senior Professional Baseball Association in 1989. He passed away on September 24, 2024, in Asheville, North Carolina, at the age of 74.

[Cowtipper]

Ray Semproch died.

https://www.vodrazkafuneralhome.com/m/o ... h/Memories

Who was Ray Semproch?

Ray Semproch, also known as Roman Anthony Semproch, was an American right-handed pitcher who played in Major League Baseball from 1958 to 1961 for the Philadelphia Phillies, Detroit Tigers, and Los Angeles Angels. Signed by the Phillies as an amateur free agent in 1951, he made his big league debut on April 15, 1958, against the Cincinnati Redlegs, following a successful season in the minors where he posted a 12-4 record and a 2.64 ERA with the Triple-A Miami Marlins. In his first major league game, Semproch earned a win in a three-inning relief appearance and went on to finish his rookie season with a 13-11 record and a 3.92 ERA. Despite leading the league in victories at mid-season, his performance declined in subsequent years. He struggled with asthma and finished the 1959 season with a 3-10 record before being traded to the Tigers, where he had limited success. Semproch was drafted by the Washington Senators in the 1960 Rule V Draft and later purchased by the Angels, appearing in only two games before concluding his MLB career on May 2, 1961. Over his career, he compiled a record of 19-21, a 4.42 ERA, and 156 strikeouts in 344 innings pitched. After retiring from baseball, he managed a bar in his brother's Italian restaurant and celebrated 50 years of marriage with his wife in 2007. Semproch passed away on October 27, 2024, at the age of 93.

Also, 1980s player Andy Rincon died in August 2023, but news of his passing didn't reach the masses until recently.

Who was Andy Rincon?

Andrew John Rincon was a former Major League Baseball pitcher who played three seasons in the majors, most notably with the St. Louis Cardinals. Born on March 5, 1959, in Monterey Park, California, Rincon had a successful high school career as a multi-sport athlete, earning recognition as a two-time All-CIF baseball player and the 1977 CIF Southern Section Player of the Year. He was drafted by the Cardinals in the fifth round of the 1977 MLB Draft and spent several years in the minors before making his major league debut in September 1980 at the age of 21. In his debut season, Rincon posted a 3-1 record with a 2.62 ERA across four games, followed by a similar performance in 1981, where he recorded a 3-1 record and a 1.77 ERA in five games. However, his promising career was cut short by a line drive injury from Phil Garner of the Pittsburgh Pirates, which fractured his arm and led to time on the disabled list. Despite this setback, he returned to the Cardinals for the 1982 season, contributing to their World Series-winning team, though he finished that year with a 4.72 ERA in 11 games. Rincon was released by the Cardinals in October 1983, and although he was signed by the Pittsburgh Pirates, he never returned to the majors. Throughout his minor league career, he compiled a 50-55 record with a 4.04 ERA from 1977 to 1989, including a no-hitter for the Hawaii Islanders in 1984. After retiring, he served as a coach for the Savannah Cardinals in 1990. Rincon passed away on August 28, 2023.

[Cowtipper]

Don Ferrarese died.

https://www.vvdailypress.com/story/news ... 060048007/

Who was Don Ferrarese?

Donald "Midget" Ferrarese, known for his small stature, was a professional baseball pitcher in Major League Baseball from 1955 to 1962, playing for the Orioles, Indians, White Sox, Phillies, and Cardinals. Born in Oakland, California, he started his career in 1948 with the Phillies’ minor league team and also played for the Oakland Oaks. After missing the 1951 and 1952 seasons for military service, Ferrarese debuted with the Orioles in 1955, initially as a reliever. His best season as a starter came in 1959 with the Indians, where he recorded a 5-3 record and a 3.20 ERA, allowing only 58 hits over 76 innings despite high walk numbers. His final MLB season, 1962, was his most effective as a reliever, posting a combined 3.27 ERA between the Phillies and Cardinals, outperforming the league average. Ferrarese’s career concluded with a 19-36 record, a 4.00 ERA, 350 strikeouts, and a .156 batting average, which included highlights like a three-double game in 1959 and a two-run homer in 1962. Though frequently traded, he remained a valuable player and later served as head coach at Victor Valley College. Ferrarese passed away on November 4, 2024.

Mel Nelson died in November 2021, per SABR. News of his passing didn't surface until recently.

Who was Mel Nelson?

Mel Nelson began his baseball career as an outfielder, hitting 27 home runs for the Fresno Cardinals in 1955, before transitioning to pitching in 1957. He went on to play parts of six seasons in Major League Baseball, primarily as a left-handed relief pitcher, appearing in 93 games for the St. Louis Cardinals, Los Angeles Angels, and Minnesota Twins. Nelson’s major contributions included three saves in 1965 with the American League champion Twins, though he did not pitch in the World Series that year, and two wins with the Cardinals in their 1968 pennant-winning season. He also pitched a scoreless inning in Game 6 of the 1968 World Series. Throughout his career, Nelson allowed 184 hits and 69 walks over 173⅔ innings, with 98 strikeouts and a perfect 1.000 fielding percentage. Following his playing career, Nelson became a respected scout, working for several MLB teams including the Indians, Dodgers, White Sox, A’s, Cardinals, Rockies, and Astros. He was instrumental in signing players such as Garett Gentry, Jason Hirsh, and Dmitri Young. Nelson passed away on November 26, 2021, though news of his death surfaced three years later in November 2024.

Ray Newman died in 2023. News of his passing had been circling for a while, but it didn't become "official" until recently.

Who was Ray Newman?

Ray Newman, a left-handed pitcher, played briefly in Major League Baseball for the Chicago Cubs in 1971 and the Milwaukee Brewers from 1972 to 1973. After missing the 1967 and 1968 seasons due to his U.S. Navy service, Newman returned to baseball but saw limited action, mostly as a reliever. He became known for commuting to Wrigley Field on his bicycle, a habit that once led to an accident preventing him from pitching that day, much to the frustration of Cubs manager Leo Durocher. This incident contributed to Newman's trade from the Cubs, and he was later traded from the Brewers to the Detroit Tigers at the 1973 Winter Meetings.

[Edgy MD]

Give a kind thought to Al "The Bull" Ferrara. Played for the Dodgers, Padres, and Reds from 1963 through 1971. A solid platoony hitter whose career spanned about as rough a National League era for hitters as there was. One of those Brooklyn-born players who lived the dream of signing with the Dodgers as a teenager, only to have them leave Brooklyn just before he signed. Won a couple of rings with them, though. Also teamed as a teenager with Bob Aspromonte, Joe Torre, and Joe Pepitone on the borough sandlots.

Like many of the 1960s Dodgers, (and Rams, for that matter) he parlayed his athletic glory into acting gigs. Alongside teammate Jim Lefebvre, he provided one of the more culturally sensitive portrayals on Gilligan's Island.




Spent some time in Gotham, also.

[G-Fafif]

Ferrara was the 10th consecutive strikeout for Tom Seaver on April 22, 1970 — and the Padre who accounted for San Diego’s lone run before Tom totally locKed in to defeat them historically, 2-1.

[G-Fafif]

1970 NL batting champ and write-in All-Star starter Rico Carty, 85.