(Story by Marco Stoovelaar; Videos by MLB FilmRoom)
IN MEMORIAM
...Ray Fosse...
(1947 - 2021) |
 Former Major League-catcher and Oakland-broadcaster Ray Fosse passed away
Nederlands
 DIABLO, California (USA) -
Former Major League-catcher Ray Fosse, who played for four teams in thirteen seasons (1967-1979) and was a TV-commentator for Oakland Athletics in his 36th season (through August of this year), passed away on Wednesday (October 13) at age 74.
In the early seventies, Fosse was a member of the successful and then dominant Oakland A's-team that three consecutive World Series (1972-1974).
Fosse was part of the team in two of them.
Early August, Fosse announced he had cancer, which he had battled for 16 years, and stepped down from his broadcast-duties to fully devote to his battle against the disease and to focus on his treatment.
When he made the announcement, it was not generally known that the former player and color commentator was sick and had battled the disease that long.
Raymond Earl Fosse was born on April 4, 1947 in Marion, Illinois.
There, he played in the baseball-team of Marion High School, where he was the Most Valuable Player three years in a row.
Hereafter, Fosse attended Southern Illinois University, where he also played baseball.
In June 1965, during the first-ever Amateur-draft, Fosse was one of 813 players selected by Major League-clubs.
He was the first pick by Cleveland Indians.
Other future Major League-players selected in that first draft include Stan Bahnsen (New York Yankees), Sal Bando, Rick Monday, Gene Tenace (all Kansas City Athletics), Johnny Bench, Bernie Carbo, Hal McRae (all Cincinnati Reds), Joe Coleman, Dick Tidrow (both Washington Senators), Darrell Evans, Ken Holtzman (both Chicago Cubs), Wayne Garrett (Milwaukee Braves), Larry Hisle (Philadelphia Phillies), Gene Lamont, Andy Messersmith (both Detroit Tigers), Graig Nettles, Del Unser (both Minnesota Twins), Amos Otis (Boston Red Sox), Freddie Patek (Pittsburgh Pirates), Steve Renko, Nolan Ryan (both New York Mets) and Tom Seaver (Los Angeles Dodgers).
In following years, Fosse went on to play together with Bahnsen, Bando, Hisle, Holtzman, Nettles, Tenace, Tidrow and Unser.
Shortly after the draft, Ray Fosse made his professional debut and it was underscored immediately that he had talent, as he played in 55 games for the Double-A team of Cleveland in his first professional season.
Fosse then also played in the Minor League in 1966 and 1967.
After having made his debut in Double-A, Fosse played the entire 1966 season in Single-A (116 games), but he then promoted to Triple-A in 1967.
He played in 67 games for Portland Beavers and then was recalled to the Major League-team early September.
After having played in the Minors in less than three seasons, the catcher made his debut in the Major League at age 20 on September 8, 1967.
He went on to play in seven games for Cleveland.
In the 1968 season, Fosse again played in the Minor League, which was another season with Portland Beavers (103 games), where he was a teammate of Lou Piniella.
But he also played in one Major League-game in this season.
...Ray Fosse is run over by Pete Rose in the 1970 All Star Game...
(MLB FilmRoom) |
Fosse was nicknamed 'Marion Mule', as he could be stubborn.
In 1969, he was the back-up catcher for Cleveland, but appeared in only 37 games.
In June of that season, he was hit on his right index finger by a foul ball, but continued playing.
After that game, it was diagnosed that his finger was broken, which kept him out of action until September.
Fosse then became the regular catcher in the team of Cleveland Indians from 1970 on and he played for the team through 1972.
In his first full season (1970), Fosse had a 23-game hitting streak and was selected for the All Star Game.
The final play of that game would influence the remainder of Fosse's career.
In the All Star Game, which was played in Cincinnati, Fosse entered the game in the fifth inning, replacing Bill Freehan as catcher for the American league Team.
Freehan passed away in August at age 79.
In the top of the 6th, Fosse singled, advanced on a sacrifice bunt and scored on a single by Carl Yastrzemski to put the American League ahead, 1-0.
The team doubled its lead in the seventh when Brooks Robinson (single) scored on a basesloaded sacrifice fly by Fosse.
The National League cut the deficit in half when Bud Harrelson scored on a double play-grounder by Willie McCovey.
In the eighth, the American League took more distance, thanks to a 2-run triple by Brooks Robinson.
But the National League came alongside off of three pitchers via a homerun by Dick Dietz, a single by McCovey and a sacrifice fly by Roberto Clemente.
Hereafter, the inning when Pete Rose struckout and so, extra innings followed.
The game was then decided in the 12th inning.
With two outs, Rose and Billy Grabarkewitz both singled.
Next batter Jim Hickman also singled and Rose raced towards the plate.
Centerfielder Amos Otis threw the ball to catcher Fosse who awaited Rose.
However, Rose ran into Fosse, who fell down.
The ball dropped, Rose scored and the National League won 5-4.
The hard collision led to a severe injury for Fosse, which was not diagnosed immediately, as X-rays that were taken after the game didn't reveal any damages and it was thought that it was a bruise.
After the All Star Game, Fosse continued playing for Cleveland, but was unable to swing properly.
But he won a Gold Glove Award.
However, another examination in the following year, revealed that Fosse had fractured and separated his left-shoulder in the collision, which had healed incorrectly.
Many years later, Fosse said that he still was unable to lift his left arm properly and that the injury had influenced his hitting in the remainder of his career.
In 1971, Fosse won his second Gold Glove Award, but also sustained injuries to both his right and left hand.
He was chosen for another All Star Game, but was unable to play due to an injury.
...Highlights of Ray Fosse's career...
(MLB FilmRoom) |
Amongst Fosse's teammates in Cleveland with whom he played in two or more seasons were Kurt Bevacqua, Larry Brown, Chris Chambliss, Ed Farmer, Roy Foster, Vern Fuller, Ken Harrelson, Jack Heidemann, Tony Horton, Eddie Leon, John Lowenstein, Sam McDowell, Steve Mingori, Graig Nettles, Vada Pinson, Duke Sims and Fred Stanley.
Amongst the players with whom he played in only one season were Camilo Pascual, Gaylord Perry, Luis Tiant, Dick Tidrow, Del Unser, Zoilo Versalles and Stan Williams.
In most of his seasons with Cleveland, Al Dark was the Manager.
In March 1973, Fosse was traded to Oakland Athletics, which had won the World Series in 1972.
These were very successful seasons for Oakland, which then also won the World Series in 1973 and 1974.
In his first season with Oakland, pitchers Vida Blue, Ken Holtzman and Catfish Hunter all won 20 games.
In 1973, Oakland defeated New York Mets in the World Series to repeat as champion.
Another championship followed in 1974.
This time, Oakland won the World Series against Los Angeles Dodgers.
However, during the season, Fosse was on the disabled list for three months.
The following season (1975), Gene Tenace became the starting pitcher for Oakland and Fosse was the back-up catcher.
On September 28 of the 1975 season, Fosse caught the final three innings of a combined No-Hitter thrown by Vida Blue, Glenn Abbott, Paul Lindblad and Rollie Fingers.
In these successsful years, Oakland A's had a star-studded team.
Amongst Fosse's teammates were Glenn Abbott, Jesus Alou, Stan Bahnsen, Sal Bando, Vida Blue, Bert Campaneris, Rico Carty, Vic Davalillo, Rollie Fingers, Phil Garner, Dick Green, Larry Haney, Ken Holtzman, Catfish Hunter, Reggie Jackson, Deron Johnson, Jay Johnstone, Darold Knowles, Ted Kubiak, Paul Lindblad, Angel Mangual, Ted Martinez, Dal Maxvill, Bill North, Blue Moon Odom, Joe Rudi, Gene Tenace, Manny Trillo, Claudell Washington and Billy Williams.
At Oakland, Fosse was re-united with Al Dark, who was the Manager in his last two seasons with Athletics.
In December 1975, Fosse was purchased by Cleveland Indians and so, he returned to play for the team in 1976.
There, he was the starting catcher again, but also sustained another injury.
However, he finished the season with a .301 average, playing in 90 games.
On May 30 in the next season (1977), Fosse was the catcher when Dennis Eckersley threw a No-Hitter for Cleveland.
In early September of that season, Fosse got traded again.
This time to Seattle Mariners, which played in his inaugural Major League-season.
Fosse close the season with Seattle, for whom he played in eleven games, hitting .353.
In his second stint with Cleveland, amongst Fosse's teammates this were Buddy Bell, Jim Bibby, Larvell Blanks, Rico Carty, Pat Dobson, Frank Duffy, Dennis Eckersley, Wayne Garland, George Hendrick, Fred Kendall, Jim Kern, Duane Kuiper, Dave LaRoche, John Lowenstein, Rick Manning, Sid Monge, Jim Norris, Boog Powell, Ron Pruitt, Tommy Smith, Charlie Spikes, Andre Thornton and Rick Waits.
In these years, future Hall of Famer Frank Robinson was the Manager.
While at Seattle, Fosse played with Glenn Abbott, Jose Baez, Juan Bernhardt, Dave Collins, Ruppert Jones, Bill Laxton, Dan Meyer, Larry Milbourne, Craig Reynolds, Leroy Stanton, Bill Stein and Bob Stinson.
After the 1977 season, Ray Fosse was a Free Agent and signed with Milwaukee Brewers in December.
However, during Spring Training 1978, Fosse fell while running and injured his right leg, including his knee ligament.
Fosse needed surgery and because of the injury and recovering from it, he missed the entire 1978 season.
He returned to action in 1979, but then played in only 19 games for Milwaukee.
Fosse was then released during Spring Training in April 1980, which also ended his Major League-career.
In his final season with Milwaukee, Fosse again played together with Sal Bando, but other teammates included Jerry Augustine, Cecil Cooper, Dick Davis, Jim Gantner, Sixto Lezcano, Buck Martinez, Bob McClure, Paul Molitor, Don Money, Charlie Moore, Ben Oglivie, Jim Slaton, Lary Sorensen, Gorman Thomas, Jim Wohlford and Robin Yount.
In twelve Major League-seasons, Ray Fosse played in 924 games.
In his career, he collected 758 basehits including 61 homeruns, scored 299 runs and batted in 324, finishing with a .256 batting average.
Fosse was frequently credited with compliments by pitchers for his calling of pitches and way of catching.
After having retired as a player, Fosse made several instructional videos.
He also worked in several positions for Oakland A's, including being the Director of Public Relations.
In 1986, Ray Fosse became the color commentator and analyst for NBC Sports California, which covered the games of Oakland Athletics on television and radio.
Since 1986, Fosse has been the A's color commentator on radio.
And since 1989, Fosse was the color commentator on television through this season and formed a broadcast-duo with play-by-play commentator Glen Kuiper in the past 17 seasons.
In the 36 years that Fosse was a broadcaster, he became very popular with Oakland-fans who loved his insights and stories.
...Ray Fosse gets a birthday cake from Oakland A's...
...mascot Stomper in 2018...
(MLB FilmRoom) |
Oakland Athletics issued the following statement:
,,The Oakland A's are heartbroken to learn of the passing of Ray Fosse.
Few people epitomize what it means to be an Athletic more than Ray.
He was the type of franchise icon who always made sure every player, coach, colleague, and fan knew that they were part of the Oakland A's family.
We send our deepest condolences to Carol, Nikki and Lindsey, his family and friends during this difficult time.
We'll miss you, Ray''.
Former teammate Dennis Eckersley tweeted:
,,My deepest condolences to the Fosse family.
Ray was a dear friend.
I cherished our long history and will miss him dearly.
Oakland Coliseum will never be the same without Ray''.
Former Major League-catcher Johnny Bench (Cincinnati Reds) tweeted:
,,Dammit someone just told me Ray Fosse passed away.
I know he was battling cancer but this is the worst news.
What a wonderful man!''
After his career, the city park in Marion, Illinois, the city where he was born, was renamed Ray Fosse Park.
This houses seven baseball- and softball-fields, but also batting cages, tennis courts, picnic shelters, picnic tables, a children's playground, an aquatic center and three concession stands.
In 2001, Ray Fosse was one of seven catchers to be named to the All-Time Team of Cleveland Indians.
When Oakland Athletics celebrated its 50th anniversary in the Californian city in 2017, Fosse was named to the 50th Anniversary Team.
And in February 2019, Fosse was inducted into the St. Louis Sports Hall of Fame.
The webmaster of Grand Slam * Stats & News extends his condolences to the family of Ray Fosse and wishes them a lot of strength with this big loss.
(October 14)
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