Don Blasingame

From BR Bullpen

Don Lee Blasingame (Blazer)

Bats Left, Throws Right
Height 5' 10", Weight 165 lb.

Debut September 20, 1955
Final Game August 25, 1966
Born March 16, 1932 in Corinth, MS USA
Died April 13, 2005 in Fountain Hills, AZ USA

[edit] Biographical Information

Second baseman Don Blasingame played in the majors for 5 clubs over 12 seasons. In 1958, as a member of the St. Louis Cardinals, he made the All-Star team.

After his major league career ended, he played in Japan with the Nankai Hawks from 1967 to 1969. He then joined the Hawks coaching staff as he was a favorite of Hawks player-manager Katsuya Nomura, Blasingame ended up becoming a shadow manager for Nomura calling most of the plays during his time there. He later went on the manage the Hanshin Tigers in 1979 and 1980. He returned to manage the Nankai Hawks again from 1981 to 1982.

On April 13, 2005, Blasingame died at his Arizona home of heart failure. He was 73. He was the son-in-law of catcher Walker Cooper.