Remembering those in the Phillies family whom we lost in the 2021 calendar year. Included are an owner, All-Star pitchers, scouts and long-time athletic trainer.
Tommy Lasorda died on Jan. 7 in Fullerton, CA at age 93. The Phillies signed Mr. Lasorda, a 17-year-old left-handed pitcher, in 1945. Pitching for the Schenectady Blue Jays in '48, he struck out 25 Amsterdam Rugmakers in a 15-inning game, a professional record at the time. And he drove in the winning run with a single. He was selected by the Brooklyn Dodgers in the Rule 5 Draft following that season. Lasorda became a Hall of Fame manager with the Dodgers.
Left-handed pitcher Grant Jackson, Feb. 2, Canonsburg, PA; age 78. Jackson had an 18-year big league career that started with the Phillies from 1965-70. He was a 14-game winner and All-Star in 1969.
Outfielder Stan Palys, Feb. 8, Jupiter, Fla; age 90. Played for Phillies, 1953-55, during a four-year career in the Majors.
Left-hander reliever Rheal Cormier, March 8, Cap-Pele, Canada; age 53. Spent 16 years in the Majors. Longest for one team, six years with Phillies, 2001-06. Mr. Cormier was the pitcher of record in the Phils last win at Veterans Stadium and their first win at Citizens Bank Park. Inducted into the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame (2012).
Jim Snyder, March 9, Lutz, Fla; age 88. Managed in the Phillies' Minor League system, 1977-81 (Peninsula, Reading, Oklahoma City) following 11 seasons in the Reds' system as a skipper. Coach/Interim Mariners manager (1988).
Left-hander Tom Hilgendorf, March 25, Iowa City, IA; age 79. Six-year Major Leaguer who pitched for Phillies in 1975.
Outfielder Jacke Davis, May 30, Tyler, TX; age 85. Originally signed by the Phillies as an amateur free agent in 1958 out of Baylor. Played in 48 games with the 1962 Phillies. Hit one home run; came off Sandy Koufax at Connie Mack Stadium.
Right-handed pitcher Mike Marshall, May 31, Zephyrhills, Fla; age 78. Originally signed by the Phillies as an amateur free-agent shortstop, Sept. 13, 1960, out of Michigan State. Converted to a reliever in Phillies fifth Minor League season (1965). Sold to Tigers, April 1966. Pitched in Majors for nine teams, winning the 1974 Cy Young Award with the Dodgers.
Outfielder Scott Reid, June 29, Phoenix, AZ; age 74. Selected by Phillies in second round of 1967 June secondary phase Draft out of Arizona State. Played in 38 total Phillies games over 1969-70 seasons. Legendary scout (1983-2017) with Cubs, Marlins and Tigers. Worked for Dallas Green and Dave Dombrowski.
Outfielder Solly Drake, Aug. 18, Los Angeles, CA; age 90. Played two seasons in the Majors including 67 games with the Phillies in 1959. Minister of the Greater Ebenezer Missionary Baptist Church (Los Angeles) following his baseball career.
Don Seger, Aug. 25, Williamsburg, VA; age 85. Head trainer, 1969-80, after being the Yankees assistant trainer, 1962-68. Earned two World Series rings.
Ruly Carpenter, owner and president, Sept. 13, Wilmington, DE; age 81. A parade of inept Phillies owners and presidents ended following the 1943 season when the Carpenter family purchased the club. R. R. M. Carpenter Sr. designated his son, R. R. M. (Bob) Carpenter Jr. as President. R. R. M. (Ruly) Carpenter III succeeded his father as president in 1972. The Carpenter family owned and operated the team longer than any other entity, 1943-1981.
Outfielder Rich Barry, Oct. 9, Studio City, CA; age 81. Originally signed by the Yankees as an amateur free agent, 1958. Drafted by the Phillies in the Minor League Rule 5 Draft, 1965. Appeared in 20 games with 1969 Phillies.
Jerry Johnson, Nov. 15, Canyon Lake, CA; age 77. A right-handed pitcher, Mr. Johnson was selected by the Phillies in the 1967 Minor League Draft. Pitched two seasons for Phillies, 1968-69. Played for six other teams in his 10-year big league career.
Right-handed pitcher Doug Jones, Nov. 22, Arizona; age 64. Closer who played for seven big league clubs, including the Phillies in 1994. 303 career saves over 16 seasons. One of three Phillies to be a winning pitcher in an All-Star Game.
Don Demeter, Nov. 29, Oklahoma City, OK; age 86. Originally signed by Brooklyn, Mr. Demeter was a Major Leaguer of 11 seasons including 1961-63 with the Phillies; OF-3B-1B. Following his career, he served as a pastor of Grace Community Christian Church in Oklahoma City.
Right-handed pitcher Ron Blazier, Dec. 4, Bellwood, PA; age 50. Signed by the Phillies as an amateur free agent, July 14, 1989, Mr. Blazier spent eight years in their Minor League system. Big league experience included 63 games out of the bullpen over the 1996-97 seasons with Phillies.
Jim Fregosi Jr., Dec. 9, Murietta, CA; age 57. Scout for the Phillies for 17 years; final three were as a Major League scout. For his last 10 years, assistant to the Kansas City Royals GM.
Second baseman Fred Andrews, Dec. 20; age 69. Phillies 8th round selection in 1970 out of Lincoln Heights (OH) High School. Reached the Majors with them in 1976 (4 games), plus 12 games the following season.
Kimera Bartee, Dec. 20, Omaha, NE; age 49. Instructor and coach with the Tigers in 2021, Mr. Bartee was on the Phillies Minor League instructional staff in 2020, a season canceled by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Dick Lawlor, Dec. 28, Windsor, CT; age 89. One on the longest tenured Phillies scouts, 34 years, 1975-2009, including a role as national cross-checker. Inaugural winner (2011) of Dallas Green Award for scouting excellence.