Frank Malzone, Former Red Sox Star, Dies at Age 85
He was not on the list.
Former MLB third baseman Frank Malzone, who made six
All-Star teams with the Boston Red Sox, died Tuesday. He was 85.
The Red Sox confirmed Malzone's death on their Twitter
feed.
“We mourn the loss of a man we all came to know as ‘Malzie,’
who was venerated by Red Sox fans not only for his great glove at third base
but for his blue-collar dedication to his craft,” said Red Sox chairman Tom
Werner, per the Boston Globe.
Malzone played for Boston from 1955-1965 and was an instant
contributor after becoming a full-time member of the big league roster in 1957.
He made the All-Star team and was second in Rookie of the Year voting his first
full campaign, marking his first of four straight appearances in the Midsummer
Classic.
A solid two-way player, Malzone also won Gold Gloves in each
of his first three years. He enjoyed his best offensive season in 1962, hitting
21 home runs and driving in 95 runs. Because Malzone was a bit of a late
bloomer—he was 27 during his rookie season—his reign near the top of the sport
did not last long.
After returning to All-Star form in 1963 and 1964, Malzone's
performance quickly dipped in his final two MLB seasons. He left the Red Sox in
1966 for a stint with the California Angels, playing only 82 games before
retiring after the season.
Overall, Malzone finished with 133 home runs, 728 RBI and a
.274/.315/.399 slash line. He returned to the Red Sox organization following
his playing career, serving as a scout and working in player development for
decades.
“Early on in my minor league career, Frank Malzone and Eddie
Popowski would tirelessly work with me on becoming a better third baseman,”
former Red Sox third baseman Wade Boggs told the Globe. “Not only Johnny Pesky
but Frank Malzone was instrumental in my development as a third baseman.
Thoughts and prayers go out to the Malzone family at this time.”
Malzone had worked for the Red Sox as a player-development
consultant since 2008.
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