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Dave Lambert

Baseball Player Passings Hits Milestone

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I first wrote about the Facebook group Baseball Player Passings in 2010.

I applaud founder Dave Lambert and the moderators. The group has surpassed 1,000 members.
I’m grateful to know who NOT to write to. Furthermore, it’s good to see that everyone matters. Even a one-week wonder is remembered with an obituary. A story of their life (noting that baseball was only one chapter).
Lastly, I love any group that reminds us that baseball isn’t about the statistics. It’s about the stories.
The people!

Offering a Memorial Day Salute To ‘Baseball Player Passings’ Facebook Page

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Back in 2010, I saluted Facebook’s “Baseball Player Passings” page. Dave Lambert shared the story of the site’s unique origin.

The site thrives. Before any obituary surfaced ANYWHERE online, one of the 500-plus members posted word that Kevin Hickey had died.

Small wonder. I see that 14 administrators collaborate to keep the news flowing.

Members seek out gravesites of deceased baseball names. Obituaries are posted.

Want to be part of an all-star team? members of BPP include former baseball players, the media — names that would produce double-takes from the most jaded collectors.

Two things inspire me most about Baseball Player Passings:

1. Baseball history isn’t limited to a few superstars. Recent obituaries posted included Lil (Mrs. Stan) Musial and John Kuenster, former editor of Baseball Digest. I’ve seen obits on many “girl’s leaguers,” the pioneering women of the AAGPBL. As I look to write to other baseball history makers, it helps me to dig deeper.

2. Each new entry on the page reinforces a simple message for me:

HURRY UP!

Retired players dying in their 50s? This isn’t a hobby for procrastinators.

Check out the Facebook page. Join. Enjoy the memorials. I hope you’ll be posting about how you received a nice letter from a recently-deceased retiree…while there was still time.
Coming Wednesday: An elusive autograph and MORE from Masanori Murakami.