We performed a site update on April 16, 2013. Please let the admin know if you User_talk:Admin#APRIL_16.2C_2013 encounter any issues. All updates have been performed.
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 became a coach for the Hiroshima Carp in 1978 and then managed the Hanshin Tigers in 1979 and 1980. He returned to the Nankai Hawks to manage 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. His son Kent Blasingame played in the minors then scouted in both the US and Japan.
[edit] Notable Achievements
- NL All-Star (1958)
- NL At Bats Leader (1957)
- NL Singles Leader (1959)
- 100 Runs Scored Seasons: 1 (1957)
[edit] Related Sites
New York Times obituary: http://www.nytimes.com/2005/04/16/sports/baseball/16blasingame.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=Don%20Blasingame&st=cse Japan Baseball Daily obituary (scroll down): http://www.japanbaseballdaily.com/obituary.html
