Gene Handley, major leaguer, 94.
David Carson
having died on 12 April 2009, age 94. Handley was an infielder for the
Philadelphia Athletics in 1946 and 1947. After his playing career ended,
he worked as a scout with the Chicago Cubs.
He was twelfth on my list of the oldest living major leaguers.
David Carson
--
"Death is a part of baseball."
"Oh, yeah ... It's the main part."
- heard on The Simpsons
Hooks Dauss
The man deserved more than the teeny tiny listing found in the Tucson
Here's a note that I shared with the BaseballNecrology
(BaseballNecro...@yahoogroups.com) and SABRscouts
(SABRscouts...@yahoogroups.com)
It was mentioned on the Cubs telecast today. (April 24).
Bill C. found an obit in the Tucson paper, but it's pretty sparse.
(same one that David C. mentioned above)
<< Eugene L. Handley, 94, of Newport Beach, Calif., April 12, pro
baseball player. Evergreen Mortuary Cemetery & Crematory. >>
As a scout, Gene's longevity with the Cubs is unprecedented. 54 years.
1955-1956; 1958-2009. He had been a Special Assignment Scout since
2003. He was a Cross-checker from 1984-1987.. In 1957, he managed
Fort Worth in the Texas League.
In his playing days, Gene was an infielder and appeared in 125 games
with the woeful 1946 and 1947 Philadelphia Athletics. He enjoyed a
stellar minor league career spending five seasons with Sacramento
Solons and six more with Hollywood Stars of the Pacific Coast League.
He was player/manager for Stockton Ports of the California League, his
first year in the Cubs organization.
Handley was not in organized baseball in 1943, but I don't believe he
served in the military. He and older brother Lee attended Bradley
University. In a questionnaire for the SABR Scouts Committee, he said
that he was signed by Frank Lane for the Reds organization, and also
gave credit to Warren Giles.
http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/h/handlge01.shtml
http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?id=handle001eug
http://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/player.php?p=handlge01
His cousin sponsors the BB-REF page and hosts this wonderful website,
a tribute to Gene and older brother Lee.
http://www.thetriple-l.com/thehandleyproject.htm
Listed chronologically by debut date, here are the players that I
credit to Gene. There could certainly be others.
John Briggs 1956
Dick Ellsworth 1958
Jake Jaeckel 1964
Bob Raudman 1966
Jim Ellis 1967
Bill Stoneman 1967
Alec Distaso 1969
Bobby Pfeil 1969
Jim Qualls 1969
Ken Rudolph 1969
Bill Bonham 1971
Pete LaCock 1972
Mike Krukow 1976
Ed Putman 1976
Dennis Lamp 1977
Steve Davis 1979
Herman Segelke 1982
Darrin Jackson 1985
Mike Harkey 1988
Steve Trachsel 1993
Dave Stevens 1994
Tom Thobe 1995
Chris Piersoll 2001
Steve Smyth 2002
--
Rod Nelson, Managing Editor
Emerald Guide to Baseball - 2009
http://www.EmeraldSportsGuides.com
Download it Free! http://www.sabr.org
Buy it in Hardcopy http://www.lulu.com/sabr