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.
[edit] Notable Achievements
- NL All-Star (1958)
- NL At Bats Leader (1957)
- NL Singles Leader (1959)
- 100 Runs Scored Seasons: 1 (1957)


