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Post by inger on Oct 10, 2019 16:33:06 GMT -5
A fine opponent for many years, Etchebarren passed away on 10/6. A compbination of injuries and a light bat prevented Etchebarren from realizing his complete potential. He was a tough and expert defender that worked well with the great Oriole pitching staffs of the mid sixties to mid seventies. He spent several seasons platooning with Elrod Hendricks, who was a short-term Yankee as his playing career was nearing a close...
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Post by pippsheadache on Oct 10, 2019 19:44:59 GMT -5
Thanks for bringing up Andy Etchebarren, Inger. Another member of the All Eyebrow team. A topnotch defensive catcher, as you noted. Two things stick in my mind about him. One, he was of Basque ancestry. Not too many of those who played in the majors.
Two, he was the last player to ever bat against Sandy Koufax, during the 1966 World Series which the Orioles swept.
He and Elrod Hendricks always seemed like a genial catching duo on a long run of great Baltimore teams. I can visualize them as easily as any catchers in the game today. RIP Andy Etchebarren.
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Post by inger on Oct 10, 2019 19:57:43 GMT -5
I also recall that it seemed year after year the Orioles would turn more to Etchebarren down the stretch and in the post season...He worked so well with the pitching staff that they would sacrifice offense to have Andy behind the bat...
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