Ryne Duren, RIP

[GA Russell]

Ryne Duren has died. He was one of the first bubble gum cards I got, back in '59.

I remember the aviator glasses. I later got aviator sunglasses just like his because he looked so cool.

Bill Veeck claimed that when he was with the Browns, he persuaded him to throw a wild pitch while warming up to scare the batters.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/baseball/former-mlb-all-star-pitcher-duren-dies/article1862322/

[AllenLowe]

he was supposedly extremely nearsighted, as I recall.

[paul secor]

He used to come in from the bullpen wearing his thick glasses and throw his first warmup pitch well over the catcher's head, all the way to the backstop on the fly. For two years with the Yankees, 1958 and 1959, he was the best relief pitcher in the American League.

He also was an alcoholic who achieved sobriety and worked with alcoholics, both in and outside of baseball - probably more important in the end than his baseball career.