RIP - Chuck Stobbs - 79

[metrotheme]

I just got an autograph back from Stobbs about a month ago with a short note. What a class act, as even when he was sick, he was still looking out for his fans.

http://hamptonroads.com/2008/07/former-pro-baseball-standout-chuck-stobbs-dies-79
uly 16, 2008

Chuck Stobbs, a former three-sport athlete at Granby High School who went on to pitch in the majors, has died. The 79-year-old, who was living in Sarasota, Fla., lost a seven-year battle with cancer on Friday.

Stobbs was an all-state baseball, basketball and football player at Granby and quarterbacked the Granby football team through three undefeated seasons.

College football programs Virginia, North Carolina, Michigan, Ohio State and Navy took interest in him.

But it was in baseball where he would make a name for himself. Stobbs played in the majors from 1947 to 1961 with the Boston Red Sox, Chicago White Sox and Washington Senators. When he signed with the Red Sox in ‘47 at age 19, he was the youngest player in the majors. He won more than 100 games with the Senators, and is often remembered as being the man who gave up the 565-foot home run hit by Mickey Mantle.

The Virginia Sports Hall of Fame inducted Stobbs in 2002.

[Ralph Zig Tyko]

I wonder how well Stobbs would have done with a good team. After all, Chuck won 100 games with the Senators who in the time he pitched for them were truly dreck.
RIP

[Steve Jeltz]

My deepest condolences to the Stobbs family. Rest in peace, Chuck. :candle:

[KCGHOST]

Stobbs actually had an okay career. Condolences to his family and friends.

[welch]

Stobbs did well in 1960, the last Senators team before Calvin Griffith moved them to Minneapolis. I remember him as a pitcher who had good "stuff", and could be very effective when he had his control.

Incidentally, the length of that 565 foot home-run that Mantle hit included the bounce and roll. Yes, it cleared the left-field bleachers in Griffith Stadium, which was a giant homer, but it hit the street outside and bounced. I remember reading that it wedged under a car...or else we'd be reading about Mantle's 700 foot homer!

Sad to realize that most of the players I grew up watching are now 80 or older.