Necrology

Garret Anderson was born on June 30, 1972, in Los Angeles, Calif., and made his Major League debut on July 27, 1994, with the California Angels. He played 17 seasons in the Majors, best-known for 15 seasons with the Angels, before finishing his career with the Atlanta Braves and Los Angeles Dodgers. A three-time All-Star, two-time Silver Slugger, 2002 World Series champion, Home Run Derby champion and 2003 All-Star MVP, Anderson built a career defined by consistency and production. He remains the Angels’ all-time leader in games played, at-bats, doubles, RBI and total bases, leaving a legacy behind on the organization. He passed away unexpectedly on April 16, 2026, in Newport Beach, Calif., at the age of 53.

Mark Bailey was born on Nov. 4, 1961 in Springfield, Mo. and made his Major League debut on April 27, 1984 with the Houston Astros. Bailey, a catcher, played in seven seasons at the big league level spent mostly with the Astros and finished his career with the San Francisco Giants. After his playing days, Bailey became a coach for many Minor League systems, beginning with the Kissimmee Cobras in 1998. In 2015 he pivoted from the Minor Leagues to becoming a roving catching instructor for the Astros and in 2016 was named the Astros’ Minor League Catching Coordinator. Bailey passed away on May 26, 2026 in Katy, Texas. He was 64 years old.

Tony Balsamo was born on July 21, 1936, in Brooklyn, N.Y., and made his Major League debut on April 14, 1962, with the Chicago Cubs. Balsamo, a right-handed pitcher, pitched in 18 games at the big-league level with the Cubs. He passed away on March 12, 2026, in Holbrook, N.Y. at the age of 89.

Gary Blaylock was born Oct. 11, 1931, in Clarkton, Mo., and made his Major League debut on April 10, 1959, with the St. Louis Cardinals. Blaylock played in 41 games at the big-league level with the Cardinals and New York Yankees. After his retirement, he became a Minor League pitching instructor and manager and later became a pitching coach for the 1985 World Series Champion Kansas City Royals team. He was on the Royals staff from 1984 through 1987 and was a scout for the team. Blaylock passed away Feb. 7, 2026, in Clarkton, Mo.

Billy Bryan was born on Dec. 4, 1938, in Morgan, Ga., and made his Major League debut on Sept. 12, 1961, with the Kansas City Athletics. Bryan, a catcher, played in eight seasons at the big-league level, six of them spent with the Athletics, and the remaining with the New York Yankees and Washington Senators. He passed away on April 9, 2026.

Doug Camilli was born on Sept. 22, 1936, in Philadelphia and made his Major League debut on Sept. 25, 1960, with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Camilli played nine years in the Majors with the Dodgers and the Washington Senators. Camilli, a catcher, is known for catching one of Sandy Koufax’s no-hitters. He also was part of the 1963 World Series Champion Dodger team as a backup catcher. Camilli passed away on March 17, 2026, in Vero Beach, Fla., at the age of 89.

Buzz Capra was born on Oct. 1, 1947 in Chicago, Ill. and made his Major League debut on Sept. 15, 1971 with the New York Mets. Capra spent seven seasons in the Majors, playing for the Mets and Atlanta Braves. He ended his career as a National League All-Star in 1974. Beyond his playing days, Capra became a pitching coach at Northeastern Illinois University in 1981-82, before he was a longtime professional pitching coach for many Minor League teams for more than 20 years. Capra passed away on May 11, 2026 in Joliet, Ill. at the age of 78.

Randy Cardinal was born on March 30, 1942 in Brooklyn, N.Y. and made his Major League debut on April 11, 1963 with the Houston Colt .45s. Cardinal, a right-hander, pitched in part of one season at the big league level with the Colt .45s. Cardinal passed away on April 28, 2026 in Central, Utah at the age of 84.

Ken Clay was born on Apri l6, 1954 in Lynchburg, Va. and made his major league debut on June 7, 1977 with the New York Yankees. Clay, a right-handed pitcher, pitched in five seasons at the big league level with the Yankees, Texas Rangers, and the Seattle Mariners. He ended his career as a two-time World Series champion with the Yankees. Clay passed away on March 26, 2026 in Lynchburg, Va. He was 71 years old.

Bobby Cox was born on May 21, 1941 in Tulsa, Okla. and made his Major League debut on April 14, 1968 with the New York Yankees. Cox played in two seasons at the big league level as a third baseman for the Yankees but is more known for his Hall of Fame career as a manager. Cox, a 29-year manager, managed the Atlanta Braves for 25 seasons, and Toronto Blue Jays for four. Cox led the Braves to five National League pennants, leading the 1995 team to a World Series title. The four-time Manager of the Year earned his way into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2014, elected by the Veterans Committee. Cox passed away on May 9, 2026 in Marietta, Ga. at the age of 84.

Ken Clay was born on April 6, 1954, in Lynchburg, Va., and made his Major League debut on June 7, 1977, with the New York Yankees. Clay, a right-handed pitcher, pitched in five seasons at the big-league level with the Yankees, Texas Rangers and the Seattle Mariners. He ended his career as a two-time World Series champion with the Yankees. Clay passed away on March 26, 2026, in Lynchburg, Va. He was 71 years old.

Ray Crone was born Aug. 7, 1931 in Memphis, Tenn. and made his Major League debut on April 13, 1954 with the Milwaukee Braves. Crone played in five seasons in the Majors with the Braves and New York/San Francisco Giants. After his playing days, Crone became a scout for the Baltimore Orioles for 20 years, and later the Arizona Diamondbacks. He passed away Jan. 15, 2026 in Waxahachie, Texas.

Bob Duliba was born on Jan. 9, 1935, in Plen Lyon, Pa., and made his Major League debut on Aug. 11, 1959, with the St. Louis Cardinals. Duliba played in seven seasons at the big-league level with the Cardinals, Los Angeles Angels, Boston Red Sox and the Kansas City Athletics. After retirement, the right-handed pitcher became a coach and a high school teacher, and was the head coach of Wilkes University’s baseball team. He passed away on April 4, 2026, in Wilkes-Barre, Pa.

John Edelman was born on July 27, 1935 in Philadelphia, Pa. and made his Major League debut on June 2, 1955 with the Milwaukee Braves. Edelman pitched in five innings at the big league level with the Braves. After retiring from the game, Edelman returned to university where he earned a degree in education. He later became a schoolteacher and coached for his high school team, leading them to a championship in 1968. He passed away on April 9, 2026 in West Chester, Pa. at the age of 90.

Roy Face was born Feb. 20, 1928 in Stephentown, N.Y. and made his Major League debut on April 16, 1963 with the Pittsburgh Pirates. The right-hander pitched in 16 seasons in the Majors, predominantly with the Pirates, and also the Detroit Tigers and Montreal Expos. He finished his seasoned career as a six-time All-Star and 1960 World Series Champion with the Pirates. Known for his forkball, the reliever ended his career with 191 saves. Face went on to become a carpentry foreman at Mayview State Hospital and retired in North Versailles, Penn. He passed away Feb. 12, 2026 at the age of 97, just shy of his 98th birthday.

Phil Garner was born on April 30, 1949 in Jefferson City, Tenn. and made his Major League debut on Sept. 10, 1973 with the Oakland Athletics. Garner spent 16 seasons at the big league level, playing for the Athletics, Pittsburgh Pirates, Houston Astros, Los Angeles Dodgers and San Francisco Giants. He ended his successful career as a three-time All-Star (1976,1980, 1981) and a 1979 World Series Champions with the Pirates. After retirement, Garner stayed close to the game and became a coach for the Astros from 1989-91 and later became manager of the Milwaukee Brewers in 1992, managing them until 1999. After his stint with the Brewers, he managed the Tigers for three seasons and the Astros for four, where he led the Astros to a World Series in 2005. Later on he became a special advisor for the Athletics in 2011. Garner passed away on April 11, 2026 in The Woodlands, Texas. He was 76 years old.

Dave Giusti was born Nov. 27, 1939 in Seneca Falls, N.Y. and made his Major League debut April 13, 1962 with the Houston Colt .45s. Giusti spent 15 seasons in the Majors playing for the Colt .45s, Astros, St. Louis Cardinals, Pittsburgh Pirates, Oakland Athletics and Chicago Cubs. The right-handed pitcher led the National League in saves in 1971, earned an All-Star nod in 1973, and became a World Series Champion in 1971 with the Pirates. He passed away Jan. 11, 2026 at the age of 86.

Terrance Gore was born June 8, 1991 in Macon, Ga. and made his Major League debut Sept. 2, 2014 with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Gore played in eight seasons at the big-league level spent with the Dodgers, Chicago Cubs, Atlanta Braves and New York Mets. He was most known for his efficient pinch running. Gore was part of three World Series Championships with the Royals, Dodgers and Braves. He passed away Feb. 6, 2026 in Panama City, Fla. after complications from a medical procedure. He was just 34 years old.

Wayne Granger was born on March 15, 1944 in Springfield, Ma. and made his Major League debut on June 5, 1968 with the St. Louis Cardinals. Granger pitched nine seasons at the big league level with the Cardinals, Cincinnati Reds, Minnesota Twins, New York Yankees, Chicago White Sox, Houston Astros and Montreal Expos. While he played for seven teams, he is most known for his three-year successful stint with the Reds, which landed him in the team’s Hall of Fame in 1982. He ended his career with a 3.14 ERA and 303 strike outs. Granger passed away on Feb. 25, 2026 in Oviedo, Fla. at the age of 81.

Bobby Henrich was born Dec. 24, 1938 in Lawrence, Kan. and made his Major League debut May 3, 1957 with the Cincinnati Redlegs. He played in three seasons at the big league level, all three with the Redlegs/Reds. After his retirement at age 22, Henrich went into the insurance business. He passed away Feb. 9, 2026 in La Habra, Calif. at 87 years old.

Bob Horner was born on Aug. 6, 1957 in Junction City, Kan., and made his Major League debut on June 16, 1978 with the Atlanta Braves. Horner played 10 seasons in the Majors spent majority with the Braves but finished his career with the St. Louis Cardinals. Horner had a standout rookie season earning him the 1978 National League Rookie of the Year. He also was named to the 1982 All-Star team. Fun fact is that Horner never played a day in the Minor Leagues. The infielder passed away on May 26, 2026 in Irving, Texas.

Dick Hughes was born on Feb. 13, 1938 in Stephens, Ark. and made his Major League debut on Sept, 11, 1966 with the St. Louis Cardinals. Hughes played in three seasons at the big league level with the Cardinals, pitching in 307 innings. He ended his career with a 2.79 ERA, and a World Series Championship win in 1967 where he started two of the World Series games. Hughes passed away on May 6, 2026 in Stephens, Ark. He was 88.

Rick Kreuger was born on Nov. 3, 1948 in Grand Rapids, Mich. and made his Major League debut on Sept. 6, 1975 with the Boston Red Sox. Kreuger, a left-handed pitcher, played in four seasons at the big league level with the Red Sox and the Cleveland Indians. After his playing days, Kreuger became a real-estate broker for many years, and later served as a head baseball coach at Cornerstone College. He also founded a baseball school, Kreuger’s Baseball School, located in Wyoming, Mich. and was passionate about mission work. He passed away on May 7, 2026 at the age of 77.

Mickey Lolich was born Sept. 12, 1940 in Portland, Ore. and made his Major League debut May 12, 1963 with the Detroit Tigers. Lolich, a three-time All-Star pitcher, pitched in 16 seasons in the big leagues, predominantly with the Tigers and ended his career with the San Diego Padres and New York Mets. He was a crucial part of the 1968 World Series Detroit Tigers Championship Team, earning him the World Series MVP Award. In his career he won 217 Major League games and 2,832 strikeouts. After he retired from the game, Lolich ran a donut shop in Michigan for many years before settling back in Oregon. He was also a coach at the Tigers Fantasy Camp and extremely charitable. He passed away Feb. 4, 2026 in Sterling Heights, Mich. at the age of 85.

Rob Maurer was born Jan. 7, 1967 in Evansville, Ind. and made his Major League debut Sept. 8, 1991 with the Texas Rangers. The pinch hitter and first baseman played in 21 games in the Majors all spent with the Rangers. His career was cut short due to several knee issues. Maurer passed away Jan. 21, 2026 in his hometown of Evansville, Ind. He was 59.

Bill Mazeroski was born Sept. 5, 1936 in Wheeling, W.Va. and made his Major League debut July 7, 1956 with the Pittsburgh Pirates. The second baseman played in 17 seasons in the Majors, all 17 spent with the Pirates. Mazeroski ended his successful career as a 10-time All-Star, eight-time Gold Glover, Major League Player of the Year and a two-time World Series-Champion with the Pirates. All of those accolades led him into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2001, mostly due to his success defensively. After retiring from playing, he became a coach for the Pirates in 1973, later joining the Seattle Mariners staff in 1979. He passed away Feb. 20, 2026.