Necrology

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.

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.

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.

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.

Bobby Henrich was born December 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.

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.