Lest we forget: Ron Fairly

Ron Fairly — who died yesterday at the age of 81 — was first baseman/outfielder who enjoyed a 20-year career with six teams in the big leagues, including six campaigns with my beloved Montreal Expos. When he hung ’em up as a player, he went on to a long second act as a broadcaster, spending 14 seasons with the Seattle Mariners.

I don’t know about you, but when I was a little kid, it impressed the heck out of me to find a professional ballplayer who shared my name. Not “Ronald.” Not “Ronnie.” But “Ron.” Now that might not seem like a big deal to you, but it was quite something to see that name on a baseball card.

Here’s an example of what those things looked like, back in the day. The pictures were usually taken during spring training; note the use of a windbreaker under the jersey.  I wonder if the photographer instructed them on how to pose or the players decided on their own.

(Aside: when I attended fantasy camp 10 years ago, we were given a choice of four “events” that would be used in the video collages the organizers produced to sell us: a leaping catch at the fence, swinging a bat, following through on a throw, or sliding into a base. I wasn’t a pitcher, thought the bat swing was too boring, and never learned how to slide properly, so I ended up selecting the first option. It’s in the video at the top of the sidebar.)

Fairly published his memoirs — Fairly at Bat: My 50 Years in Baseball, from the Batter’s Box to the Broadcast Booth, with the help of Steve Springer — in 2018. I was supposed to have him as a guest for a Bookshelf Conversation, but I was poor at following through. An opportunity missed is an opportunity lost.

The obituary from the L.A. Times. And the Montreal Gazette.