The Times published two obituaries this week, both a bit odd for a New York paper.
Sure, there have been write-ups about athletes, but theytend to be either those who have had some local connection or a giant of their sport. That’s why I found it curious that they chose to include Eddie Brinkman, a steady defensive, lousy offensive shortstop for the Tigers, Senators/Rangers, Cardinals, and yankees in the 1960s-70s; Bruce Dal Canton, a pitcher for the Pirates, Royals, Braves, and White Sox during the same period;
St. Petersburg Times
and George Kissell, one of those baseball lifers who spent his career with the Cardinals. Brinkman and Dal Canton were each 66; Kissell was 88. As I get older, I guess it’s only natural that the ballplayers of my youth should shuck off this mortal coil. Still, it’s depressing.
Kissell was at least a New York (state) product. He received the full-on treatment by Richard Goldstein. The other two were AP obits. A co-worker of mine who handles such notices for my newspaper told me it might have been done simply to fill space, Even so, why these guys?
One of these days, I’m going to collect and post all the “second-tier” players who’ve had their obituaries in the Times.
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