GaryMrMets
06-14-2002, 02:41 AM
http://www.mlb.com/mlb/features/alumni/remember.html
In Remembrance
The Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association is not always made immediately aware of the deaths of former players. Please contact us if we are omitting a death since January 2002.
Sam Page, 86, passed away on May 29, 2002. Page pitched in four games in 1939 with the Philadelphia Athletics. He also played and managed multiple teams in the textile baseball league.
Wes Westrum, 79, passed away on May 28, 2002. Westrum played for the New York Giants from 1947-57 and was an All-Star catcher in 1952 and '53. A member of the 1954 World Series Champions, Westrum hit 23 home runs and 71 RBIs in 1950.
Joseph Thomas Cascarella, 94, passed away on May 22, 2002. Cascarella played from 1934-38 primarily with the Philadelphia Athletics and Cincinnati Reds. He recorded 27 wins in five Major League seasons. Cascarella was the last surviving member of the 1934 U.S. All-Star team that toured Japan who included Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, and Jimmy Foxx.
Paul Giel, 69, passed away on May 22, 2002. Giel pitched six seasons with the New York Giants, San Fransisco Giants, Pittsburgh Pirates, Kansas City Athletics and Minnesota Twins. Giel had a career record of 11-9 appearing in 102 games.
Dr. John F. "Bob" Poser, 92, passed away on May 21, 2002. Poser pitched for the Chicago White Sox in 1932 and the St. Louis Browns in 1935. Poser had a career 1-1 record appearing in four Major League games.
Joe Black, 78, passed away on May 17, 2002. Black played for the Brooklyn Dodgers and became the first black pitcher to win a World Series game. Black was 28 when he reached the Majors after helping the Baltimore Elite Giants of the Negro Leagues win two championships in seven years. He roomed with Jackie Robinson while with Brooklyn, pushed for a pension plan for Negro League players, and was instrumental in the inclusion of players who played before 1947. He was dominant out of the bullpen, chosen Rookie of the Year in 1952 after winning 15 games and saving 15 others for the National League champions.
Sam Dente, 79, passed away on April 21, 2002. Dente broke into the Majors with the Boston Red Sox in 1947, then spent a year with the St. Louis Browns. After three seasons with the Washington Senators and two with the Chicago White Sox, he moved to the Cleveland Indians in 1954 and was a part-time player on the team that won 111 games. His Major League career ended with the Indians in 1955. He had a career batting average of .252.
Karl Swanson, 101, passed away on April 3, 2002. Swanson played professional baseball from 1922 to 1936 and with the Chicago White Sox in 1928 and 1929 as a second baseman.
William "Whitey" Wietelmann, 83, passed away on March 26, 2002. Nicknamed "Whitey" by Casey Stangl, he played nine seasons as an infielder with the Boston Braves and Pittsburgh Pirates.
Mace Brown, 92, passed away on March 24, 2002. Brown played for Pittsburgh, Brooklyn and Boston during his 10-year career. He finished with a 76-57 record and 48 saves in 387 games, compiling a 3.47 ERA. He played in the World Series with the Dodgers in 1941 and the Red Sox in 1946. One of his best seasons came in 1938 when Brown posted a 15-9 record, appearing in a league-leading 51 games, and posted a 3.80 ERA. He finished ninth in the MVP voting that season and also appeared in the All-Star Game.
Minnie Rojas, 63, passed away on March 24, 2002. Rojas was born in Cuba and collected 43 career saves in 157 games over three seasons. His career ended after the 1968 season when he was paralyzed in an automobile accident. The accident killed his two daughters, but his wife and son survived.
Roman "Lefty" Bertrand, 93, passed away on March 17, 2002. Bertrand played for one season with the Phillies in 1936.
Steve Gromek, 82, passed away on March 12, 2002. A right-handed pitcher with an outstanding fastball, Gromek won 19 games for the Cleveland Indians in 1945 and had 123 career victories in 17 seasons with the Indians and Detroit Tigers.
Al Cowens passed away on March 11, 2002 at the age of 50. One of the top Kansas City Royals outfielders in club history, Cowens won a Gold Glove in 1977 and batted .312 on what many consider to be the best Royals team in the franchise's existence. Coming off of what would be his best season with the Royals, Cowens finished second in the balloting to Rod Carew for the American League's Most Valuable Player. Cowens is survived by his wife of 30 years, Velma, four children and several grandchildren.
Ted Sepkowski, 78, passed away on March 8, 2002 at the age of 78. Sepkowski played in 19 games in his Mjor League career that began in Cleveland in 1942 and ended in New York in 1947. He served in the military from 1944-1945 and returned to the Majors with Cleveland in 1946 for two games.
Mickey Haslin, 92, passed away on March 7, 2002. Haslin played six seasons from 1933-1938, playing shortstop and third base for the Philadelphia Phillies, Boston Braves, and New York Giants. Haslin played in the first Major League night game and Babe Ruth's last game.
Clay Smith, 87, passed away on March 5, 2002. His first appearance in the Major Leagues came in 1938 as a member of the Cleveland Indians. He appeared in four games that season and pitched a total of 11 innings. In 1940, he reappeared with the Tigers and finished with a 1-1 record in 14 games. Smith entered Game 4 of the 1940 World Series with the Tigers down in the third inning. He allowed a single earned run in four innings, but the Tigers could not comeback.
William Faul passed away on February 21, 2002. Faul played in the Major Leagues from 1962-1970 with the Detroit Tigers, Chicago Cubs, and San Francisco Giants. Faul is survived by his son, his brother, and five nieces and nephews.
Mike Darr, San Diego Padres outfielder, died in an automobile accident on Friday, February 15, 2002. Darr is survived by his wife and two sons, Mike Jr. and Matthew.
Frank Crosetti passed away on February 11, 2002 at the age of 91. Crosetti was a two-time All-Star shortstop and played on eight World Series Championship teams during his 17-year playing career. After retiring as a player, Crosetti coached third base for 20 years during which he experienced 15 World Series.
Joe Peden passed away on February 11, 2002 at the age of 78. Peden played nine games as a catcher for the Washington Senators in 1953.
Jim Spencer passed away on February 10, 2002 at the age of 54. Spencer was an All-Star in 1973, Gold Glove winner in 1970 and 1977, and a member of the 1978 World Series Champion New York Yankees. Spencer played Major League Baseball for 15 years and continued as a scout for the Yankees and assistant coach at the Naval Academy.
Steve Roser, 83, passed away on February 8, 2002. Roser was 4-3 for the New York Yankees in 1944 and 0-0 in 1945. He started the 1946 season with the Yankees before being acquired by the Boston Braves. Roser compiled a 2-2 record in 38 innings in 1946.
Harry Chiti passed away on January 31, 2002 at the age of 69. Chiti played in the big leagues from 1950 to 1962 as a catcher with the Chicago Cubs, Kansas City Athletics, Detroit Tigers, and New York Mets.
Raymond Yochim passed away on January 26, 2002 at the age of 79. Yochim pitched in the Major Leagues with the St. Louis Cardinals. His three sons, a daughter, two brothers, a sister, and three grandchildren survive him.
Frederick Taylor passed away on January 6, 2002 at the age of 75. Taylor played first base for the Washington Senators from 1950-1952.
Adrian Zabala Sr. passed away on January 4, 2002 at the age of 85. Zabala pitched for the New York Giants in the early 1940s. His wife, a son and daughter, and four grandchildren survive him.
Al Smith passed away on January 3, 2002 at the age of 73. Smith was a career .272 hitter during his time with the Chicago White Sox, Cleveland Indians, Baltimore Orioles, and Boston Red Sox. Smith also participated in two All-Star games and two World Series. His wife, Mildred, four children, and eleven grandchildren survive him.
In Remembrance
The Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association is not always made immediately aware of the deaths of former players. Please contact us if we are omitting a death since January 2002.
Sam Page, 86, passed away on May 29, 2002. Page pitched in four games in 1939 with the Philadelphia Athletics. He also played and managed multiple teams in the textile baseball league.
Wes Westrum, 79, passed away on May 28, 2002. Westrum played for the New York Giants from 1947-57 and was an All-Star catcher in 1952 and '53. A member of the 1954 World Series Champions, Westrum hit 23 home runs and 71 RBIs in 1950.
Joseph Thomas Cascarella, 94, passed away on May 22, 2002. Cascarella played from 1934-38 primarily with the Philadelphia Athletics and Cincinnati Reds. He recorded 27 wins in five Major League seasons. Cascarella was the last surviving member of the 1934 U.S. All-Star team that toured Japan who included Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, and Jimmy Foxx.
Paul Giel, 69, passed away on May 22, 2002. Giel pitched six seasons with the New York Giants, San Fransisco Giants, Pittsburgh Pirates, Kansas City Athletics and Minnesota Twins. Giel had a career record of 11-9 appearing in 102 games.
Dr. John F. "Bob" Poser, 92, passed away on May 21, 2002. Poser pitched for the Chicago White Sox in 1932 and the St. Louis Browns in 1935. Poser had a career 1-1 record appearing in four Major League games.
Joe Black, 78, passed away on May 17, 2002. Black played for the Brooklyn Dodgers and became the first black pitcher to win a World Series game. Black was 28 when he reached the Majors after helping the Baltimore Elite Giants of the Negro Leagues win two championships in seven years. He roomed with Jackie Robinson while with Brooklyn, pushed for a pension plan for Negro League players, and was instrumental in the inclusion of players who played before 1947. He was dominant out of the bullpen, chosen Rookie of the Year in 1952 after winning 15 games and saving 15 others for the National League champions.
Sam Dente, 79, passed away on April 21, 2002. Dente broke into the Majors with the Boston Red Sox in 1947, then spent a year with the St. Louis Browns. After three seasons with the Washington Senators and two with the Chicago White Sox, he moved to the Cleveland Indians in 1954 and was a part-time player on the team that won 111 games. His Major League career ended with the Indians in 1955. He had a career batting average of .252.
Karl Swanson, 101, passed away on April 3, 2002. Swanson played professional baseball from 1922 to 1936 and with the Chicago White Sox in 1928 and 1929 as a second baseman.
William "Whitey" Wietelmann, 83, passed away on March 26, 2002. Nicknamed "Whitey" by Casey Stangl, he played nine seasons as an infielder with the Boston Braves and Pittsburgh Pirates.
Mace Brown, 92, passed away on March 24, 2002. Brown played for Pittsburgh, Brooklyn and Boston during his 10-year career. He finished with a 76-57 record and 48 saves in 387 games, compiling a 3.47 ERA. He played in the World Series with the Dodgers in 1941 and the Red Sox in 1946. One of his best seasons came in 1938 when Brown posted a 15-9 record, appearing in a league-leading 51 games, and posted a 3.80 ERA. He finished ninth in the MVP voting that season and also appeared in the All-Star Game.
Minnie Rojas, 63, passed away on March 24, 2002. Rojas was born in Cuba and collected 43 career saves in 157 games over three seasons. His career ended after the 1968 season when he was paralyzed in an automobile accident. The accident killed his two daughters, but his wife and son survived.
Roman "Lefty" Bertrand, 93, passed away on March 17, 2002. Bertrand played for one season with the Phillies in 1936.
Steve Gromek, 82, passed away on March 12, 2002. A right-handed pitcher with an outstanding fastball, Gromek won 19 games for the Cleveland Indians in 1945 and had 123 career victories in 17 seasons with the Indians and Detroit Tigers.
Al Cowens passed away on March 11, 2002 at the age of 50. One of the top Kansas City Royals outfielders in club history, Cowens won a Gold Glove in 1977 and batted .312 on what many consider to be the best Royals team in the franchise's existence. Coming off of what would be his best season with the Royals, Cowens finished second in the balloting to Rod Carew for the American League's Most Valuable Player. Cowens is survived by his wife of 30 years, Velma, four children and several grandchildren.
Ted Sepkowski, 78, passed away on March 8, 2002 at the age of 78. Sepkowski played in 19 games in his Mjor League career that began in Cleveland in 1942 and ended in New York in 1947. He served in the military from 1944-1945 and returned to the Majors with Cleveland in 1946 for two games.
Mickey Haslin, 92, passed away on March 7, 2002. Haslin played six seasons from 1933-1938, playing shortstop and third base for the Philadelphia Phillies, Boston Braves, and New York Giants. Haslin played in the first Major League night game and Babe Ruth's last game.
Clay Smith, 87, passed away on March 5, 2002. His first appearance in the Major Leagues came in 1938 as a member of the Cleveland Indians. He appeared in four games that season and pitched a total of 11 innings. In 1940, he reappeared with the Tigers and finished with a 1-1 record in 14 games. Smith entered Game 4 of the 1940 World Series with the Tigers down in the third inning. He allowed a single earned run in four innings, but the Tigers could not comeback.
William Faul passed away on February 21, 2002. Faul played in the Major Leagues from 1962-1970 with the Detroit Tigers, Chicago Cubs, and San Francisco Giants. Faul is survived by his son, his brother, and five nieces and nephews.
Mike Darr, San Diego Padres outfielder, died in an automobile accident on Friday, February 15, 2002. Darr is survived by his wife and two sons, Mike Jr. and Matthew.
Frank Crosetti passed away on February 11, 2002 at the age of 91. Crosetti was a two-time All-Star shortstop and played on eight World Series Championship teams during his 17-year playing career. After retiring as a player, Crosetti coached third base for 20 years during which he experienced 15 World Series.
Joe Peden passed away on February 11, 2002 at the age of 78. Peden played nine games as a catcher for the Washington Senators in 1953.
Jim Spencer passed away on February 10, 2002 at the age of 54. Spencer was an All-Star in 1973, Gold Glove winner in 1970 and 1977, and a member of the 1978 World Series Champion New York Yankees. Spencer played Major League Baseball for 15 years and continued as a scout for the Yankees and assistant coach at the Naval Academy.
Steve Roser, 83, passed away on February 8, 2002. Roser was 4-3 for the New York Yankees in 1944 and 0-0 in 1945. He started the 1946 season with the Yankees before being acquired by the Boston Braves. Roser compiled a 2-2 record in 38 innings in 1946.
Harry Chiti passed away on January 31, 2002 at the age of 69. Chiti played in the big leagues from 1950 to 1962 as a catcher with the Chicago Cubs, Kansas City Athletics, Detroit Tigers, and New York Mets.
Raymond Yochim passed away on January 26, 2002 at the age of 79. Yochim pitched in the Major Leagues with the St. Louis Cardinals. His three sons, a daughter, two brothers, a sister, and three grandchildren survive him.
Frederick Taylor passed away on January 6, 2002 at the age of 75. Taylor played first base for the Washington Senators from 1950-1952.
Adrian Zabala Sr. passed away on January 4, 2002 at the age of 85. Zabala pitched for the New York Giants in the early 1940s. His wife, a son and daughter, and four grandchildren survive him.
Al Smith passed away on January 3, 2002 at the age of 73. Smith was a career .272 hitter during his time with the Chicago White Sox, Cleveland Indians, Baltimore Orioles, and Boston Red Sox. Smith also participated in two All-Star games and two World Series. His wife, Mildred, four children, and eleven grandchildren survive him.