Categories: History

Philadelphia Phillies alumni who passed away during 2018

Here’s a look at the Phillies Alumni who died during the 2018 calendar year. Included was an outfielder who had the last hit at Connie Mack Stadium, the father of a big league manager, a bonus baby with an unusual at-bat, plus an American League record holder from the days of the Philadelphia A’s.

2B Dick Young, Jan. 7 in Silverdale, WA; age 89
Originally signed by the Phillies before the 1948 season. Played in 20 games in parts of 1951-52 seasons, his only big league experience. Career: .234 in 20 games.

OF Oscar Gamble, Jan. 31 in Birmingham, AL; 68
Acquired from Cubs with Dick Selma for Johnny Callison and Larry Colton on Nov. 17, 1969. Played 1970-72 with the Phillies. Had a walk-off single in the final game at Connie Mack Stadium. Played for six other teams over 17 years. Career: .265 in 1,584 games; 200 home runs; more walks than strikeouts (610-546).

OF Tito Francona, Feb. 14 in New Brighton, PA; 84
Father of Terry Francona. Purchased from Cardinals on April 10, 1967. Hit .205 in 22 games before being sold to Braves on June 12 of same season. Spent 15 years in Majors with eight other teams. Career: .272 in 1,719 games.

RHP Jack Hamilton, Feb. 22 in Branson, MO; 79
Drafted from Cardinals in 1960 Rule 5 Draft. Went 11-13 in two Phillies seasons, 1962-63. Traded to Tigers in four-player deal for Jim Bunning on Dec. 5, 1963. Pitched for five other teams over five seasons. Career: 30-42 in 218 games (65 starts).

OF Fred Van Dusen, June 1 in Franklin, TN; 80
Bonus baby ($50,000) out of Jackson Heights (N.Y.) High School in 1955. Had one at-bat in the Majors, hit by an 0-2 pitch as a pinch-hitter on Sept. 11, 1955 vs. Milwaukee Braves. Only player in MLB history to be hit by a pitch in lone plate appearance who never played in the field defensively.

RHP Ed Roebuck, June 14 in Lakewood, CA; 86
Purchased from the Senators early in the 1964 season. Ended an 11-year career in Philly, (1964-66). Also pitched for Dodgers. Career: 52-31, 62 saves, 406 appearances (1 start).

CH-C Doc Edwards, Aug. 20 in San Angelo, TX; 81
Bullpen coach with Phillies, (1970-72). Activated (1970) when catchers Mike Ryan and Tim McCarver sustained broken hands in the same game in S.F. on May 2, 1970. Was behind the plate for 35 games that season; prior to that, last caught in 1965. Later managed Indians for 2 1/2 seasons.

RHP Paul Stuffel, Sept. 9 in Canton, OH; 91
Signed by the Phillies prior to 1947 season. Spent seven seasons in Phillies’ Minor League system but limited appearances in the Majors with them, (1950, 1952-53). Career: 1-0 in seven big league games.

RHP Ron Negray, Nov. 8 in New Franklin, OH; 88
Acquired in June 7, 1955, trade with Brooklyn Dodgers. Pitched two seasons with Phillies, (1955-56), and went 6-6 in 66 games. Also saw limited action with Brooklyn (1952) and L.A. Dodgers (1958).

RHP Ken Howell, Nov. 9 in West Bloomfield, MI; 57
Acquired in Dec. 8, 1988, trade with Orioles. Starter for two seasons with Phillies, (1989-90), and went 20-19 in 50 starts. Also pitched for Dodgers, (1984-88). Career: 38-48 in 245 games.

RHP Carl Scheib, March 24 in San Antonio, TX; 91
Member of the last Athletics team in Philadelphia (1954). The native of Gratz, PA, made his Major League debut vs. Yankees as a 16-year-old on Sept. 6, 1943, the youngest in American League history. Pitched 11 years for the A’s, (1943-54), and went 45-64 in 267 games (107 starts). Ended career pitching three games with the 1954 Cardinals.

Larry Shenk is author/editor of the Phillies.com Alumni section. Articles re-printed at Phillies Nation by permission of MLB and the Philadephia Phillies.

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Larry Shenk

More than a half-century with the Philadelphia Phillies organization from 1964-2015 as Director of Public Relations. Winner of the 2007 Dallas Green Award for Special Achievement. Items for Phillies Nation are re-printed from Phillies.com with permission from the organization. Email directly to lshenk@phillies.com