RIP Bob Watson

Between this and the Howe news, a rough day for the Astros franchise.

Bob Watson, former All-Star and GM, dies at 74

 

Got a short mention in Ball Four as call-up who got injured trying to catch Bouton’s knuckleball.

 

Nooooooo! Not Bull!

First black GM to win a World Series.

RIP.

 

He was a darn good hitter, but if his career wasn’t spent in the Astrodome and a righty in Yankee stadium, he’s probably remembered as a lot better player.

 

Out of curiosity: I looked up his splits
Home
Avg: .288
Ops: .783
HR: 67
R: 356

Away
Avg: .302
Ops: .873
HR: 117
R: 446

also, his best numbers overall came in his half season in Boston.

so, you are correct!

 

One of my favorite trivia questions (and I think I've posted it on this board before) is: Who scored the 999,999th run, and the 1,000,001st?

 

As a 37-year old in 1983 when the Braves were trying to defend their division championship, he had one of the best clutch-hitting seasons I've ever seen. Pinch-hitting in 30 games, he hit .407 and slugged .704. As a starter and PH, he hit .435 with two out and RISP.

He was probably the one player whose coverage drove home for me the difference between media aimed at the serious fan and the casual one. Very good player for a long time in Houston; if you read the Sporting News or followed an NL team, you certainly were familiar with him. When he went to Boston and the Yankees in his mid-30s, it was like the Game of the Week announcers had just discovered him.

 

That would be Claudell Washington with No. 999,999 and Dave Concepcion with 1,000,001. Concepcion hit a homer off Phil Niekro and sprinted around the bases to try to score the millionth run but crossed the plate seconds after Watson had scored in San Francisco.

 

Bob Watson and Larry Dierker were my favorite Astros, growing up in Houston in the '60s. 'The Bull' did have good power and really could have thrived in a hitter friendly park. Also props for his role with the Yankees' World Series championship season in 1996. Later worked in MLB. Career baseball guy, personable. Now I guess I need to Google Art Howe.