Former player and long time coach Bill Fischer died on Tuesday:

Former big league pitcher Bill Fischer, who spent more than seven decades as a player and coach in professional baseball, died Tuesday. He was 88.

The Royals announced Fischer’s death in a statement Wednesday. No cause was given.

Fischer was 17 when he signed with the Chicago White Sox in 1948. He was fresh out of high school and played until 1951, when he was drafted by the Marines. He returned to the White Sox in 1954 and wound up playing for nine organizations and making 281 major league appearances.

My thoughts go out to his family and friends.

It’s always a bit jarring to look at three-true outcome rates from the 1950s. Fischer allowed 0.9 HR per 9 IP, and 2.3 walks per 9 IP. He struck out just 3.4 batters per nine innings, however, and someone that low today would likely not make a major league roster. His best year was probably 1957, although he only pitched 124 innings. He allowed just one home run that season and 35 walks, helping him to a 3.48 ERA.