October 13, 2006
Johnny Callison Passes
Former Phillies outfielder Johnny Callison died yesterday.
Callison was born in Oklahoma and went on to become a three-time All-Star during his 16-year career. A left-handed hitter with a smooth swing, Callison started with the Chicago White Sox in 1958 and established himself as one of the top players in the National League after being traded to Philadelphia two years later.
"He can run, throw, field and hit with power," the late Gene Mauch, who managed Callison on the Phillies, once said. "There's nothing he can't do well on the ball field."
I vaguely remeber him with the Yankees at the end of his career. He posted outstanding OBAs very early in his career, but couldn't carry them through at his peak age. He did replace his times on with power however, twice driving in over 100 runs.
My thoughts go out to his family and friends.
Posted by David Pinto at
06:15 PM
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Ivan Murrell of the Padres also passed away. It seems he was quite an asset to the community based on the story I read:
href="http://www.tcpalm.com/tcp/pro_baseball/article/0,2820,TCP_24442_5060578,00.html">http://www.tcpalm.com/tcp/pro_baseball/article/0,2820,TCP_24442_5060578,00.html">http://www.tcpalm.com/tcp/pro_baseball/article/0,2820,TCP_24442_5060578,00.html">http://www.tcpalm.com/tcp/pro_baseball/article/0,2820,TCP_24442_5060578,00.html
Johnny Callison was one of (count 'em) four future stars that Bill Veeck's White Sox dealt at the end of 1959, their last pennant-winning season prior to '05.
The other three were Norm Cash, Johnny Romano, Earl Battey. Ironically all four were All-Stars within three years.
When I was a kid in Philly Johnny was and remained my baseball hero.I wore#6 and my son wears #6.I went to Dreamweek in 95 and the first person i met was Johhny.He just happened to get on the elevator with me. we both missed our floors and on the way back down approaching my floor he said,"This is your play kid"(meaning floor).That may not mean much to anybody, but to me it was a dream.What a way to start the week. I'll never forget him, Vic
I got Callison's autograph before a twi-nighter with the Braves in 1964. I was 10, and he was my baseball hero. My prayers go to his family.
