Three-time Phillies all-star outfielder Johnny Callison has died at the age of 67 following a long illness, the team announced Friday.
The team released an official statement on Callison’s passing, including final thoughts from Phillies President David Montgomery, Bill Campbell, Dallas Green and Dick Allen.
A standout defender, Callison was dealt to the Phillies in 1959 and played in Philadelphia for 10 seasons, earning all-star honors in 1962, 1964 and 1965. He finished his career with the Yankees in 1973 as a lifetime 264/.331/.441 hitter with 226 career homers. He led the National League in triples in 1962 and 1965 and doubles in 1966, and also lead the NL in outfield assists four consecutive years starting in '62.
It's a sad day - I remember watching Johnny play while attending my first ever pro-baseball game-Condolances to his family.
Posted by: Jazzcat | Friday, October 13, 2006 at 03:52 PM
I also remember watching #6 patrol RF for the Phils in the 60s.
He had a rocket arm and could hit the ball well. I'll always remember his game winning diner in the '64 All Star game in Detroit.
A sad day indeed.
Posted by: theragtopguy | Friday, October 13, 2006 at 04:11 PM
ragtop: The '64 All-Star Game was at Shea Stadium. Callison was a little guy, with surprising power, great speed and a rifle arm. He led the league in triples twice and had three excellent seasons 1963-65, fading after that into just an average player offensively. Had Frank Thomas (the first one) not gotten hurt in early September (lost for the season), the '64 Phils likely would've won the pennant and been one of the more beloved teams in Phils' history, since they were such underdogs. Callison and Richie Allen were the heart of that lineup.
Posted by: clout | Friday, October 13, 2006 at 05:23 PM
I just recently purchased a Phillies Legends book and Callison was one of the first guys I read about.
Posted by: Drama Queen | Friday, October 13, 2006 at 06:34 PM
I stand corrected, guess my memory ain't what it used to be! LOL
Posted by: theragtopguy | Friday, October 13, 2006 at 07:34 PM
I know we are off of Lidle here, but a nice tribute for him . . .
http://www.break.com/index/cory_lidle_tribute.html
Posted by: Brad | Friday, October 13, 2006 at 08:08 PM
The following short article about Chris Coste and Cory Lidle appeared in today's Grand Forks (North Dakota)Herald, and provides some insight into how certain pitchers ended up consistently pitching to certain catchers with the Phillies this past season.
Headline: "Former Fargoan says he worried about Lidle"
Associated Press
Published Friday, October 13, 2006
FARGO - Philadelphia Phillies catcher Chris Coste says he worried when Cory Lidle told him he wanted to get a pilot's license.
Coste, a Fargo native, was Lidle's teammate with the Phillies until Lidle was traded to the Yankees in July. He credits Lidle with putting in a good word for him with the Philadelphia coaching staff.
Coste called his worries about Lidle's flying “surreal.”
“It's weird because I can remember talking with him back in spring training about getting his pilot's license and the plane he was buying and thinking that I could be sitting in front of my TV someday seeing exactly what I'm seeing today,” Coste said Wednesday, after word that Lidle's plane had crashed into a New York high-rise apartment building.
“I didn't say anything to anybody because you never want to think about something like this happening, but you had to know Cory,” Coste said. “He was a real go-getter. Once he put his eyes on something, he got after it. When he was going after something he was going to get it. It's one of those things when you're wondering if he was moving along a little too fast.”
Coste, a utility infielder for much of his professional career, said Lidle helped him get an opportunity to catch with the Phillies in the spring, and again after he was called up to the majors in May.
“I wasn't playing much and again Cory went to the coaching staff and said, 'Give this guy a chance to catch. He's a good catcher,'" Coste said. “And I caught him. I caught about every one of his starts until he was traded. The coaches would ask him who he wanted his catcher to be Sal Fasano, Mike Lieberthal or Chris Coste. And he said, 'Definitely, I want Coste.' “
Posted by: Davthom73 | Friday, October 13, 2006 at 11:34 PM
Gotta love Wagner blowing up tonight!
Posted by: Casey | Friday, October 13, 2006 at 11:48 PM
My respects to Johnny Callison aside, I enjoyed the *hell* out of watching Wagner get lit up by the Cards - and then getting, oh yes, booed by those happy-go-lucky New York fans. Hey Billy - can't wait to read about your spin on that one tomorrow.
Posted by: RickSchuBlues | Friday, October 13, 2006 at 11:54 PM
Say it ain't so, fans of another city besides Philly actually booed a player for not performing...woe is me.
Posted by: Drama Queen | Saturday, October 14, 2006 at 07:02 AM
hey davthom73 can you ever get over your love affair with Coste. Why must everything that happens in life be somehow linked to him?
I dont know COste personally but from the exterior the guy seems to like to talk ALOT maybe thats one of the reasons that he tooled in the minors and independent leagues as long as he did. The guy is very opinionated (about everything) and doesn't mind promoting himself. As self evident if you go to his personal webpage and see he's hawking his book and all the buzz about a possible movie about his life. Maybe its just me but the guy should shut up and be happy he's making the minimum salary of $300,000 per year which is probably 6 times more than most of us make a year.
Posted by: Maria Maria | Saturday, October 14, 2006 at 09:31 AM
oh by the way i forgot my signature to my last post -
I'm bringin sexy Back! Now come holla at me guys!
~~Maria~~
Posted by: Maria Maria | Saturday, October 14, 2006 at 09:32 AM
Yes, Callison deserves respect, just as Wagner does not with his inflammatory comments made during the past year. That being said, let the bashing continue!
Aww poor Billy... HAHAHAHA!!!! How many years is he under contract to hear it from the Mut fans if they fall in this series??
That had to be his worst prefermance of the year (although I think the Yankees lit him up at one point). Momentum has definitely swung to the Cardinals favor.
Posted by: Jon | Saturday, October 14, 2006 at 09:48 AM
somebody please tell me that Fox's contract with baseball is up in the near future...the announcers they've had this season have been god awful i mean ALL season not just the postseason. If I have to listen to that bumbling moron Pinella once more i think i'll puke. The guy has been saying more BS just to get a job next season its pathetic. For all yous out there that want him as a manager, I ask you to think what has Sweet Lou ever really done as a manager other than win the '90 series because the A's were all too roid raged up to show up for the series. Plus he had a hell of a bullpen with the Nasty Boyz. I think he's so over rated! Also that other guy Lyons is terrible and tries to be funny. All i remember about him is that he pantsed the crowd one time in Chicago. All though he has a nice package he can't announce for his life. Makes me wonder why good announcers like the crew we have here in philly (yes i'm including Wheels) are never considered for the national broadcasts.
I'm bring sexy back anytime you want it!!
~~~Maria~~~~
Posted by: Maria Maria | Saturday, October 14, 2006 at 05:27 PM
i want pat the bat to bring my sexy back! Pat i'm 21 white female from the North East who is ready for you!!!!
34b-26-36 - yes i have a big @$$!!!
Posted by: Maria Maria | Saturday, October 14, 2006 at 05:29 PM
Hey Maria, Maria, -- or whatever your regular post name is -- I have a good guess -- it *is* you pal -- uh -- "gal." Perhaps you're having a gender identity crisis. Either way, have the guts to use your real handle on this board, will ya please? So be *straight* with us -- okay?
Posted by: Davthom73 | Saturday, October 14, 2006 at 06:22 PM
Well, we don't kave Steve Lyons to kick around any longer...hopefully, that's the last we'll ever hear from that tool.
Posted by: RickSchuBlues | Saturday, October 14, 2006 at 06:48 PM
RSB - what happened to Lyons that we wont hear from him anymore?
Posted by: Maria Maria | Sunday, October 15, 2006 at 01:01 AM
somebody please tell me that Fox's contract with baseball is up in the near future...
Nope. Just renewed, in fact. FOX is doing the World Series and one LCS per year through 2013.
Oh joy.
Pinella, though, is the only FOX broadcaster I like even a little bit.
Posted by: Casey | Sunday, October 15, 2006 at 01:02 AM
Steve Lyons was let go from his FOX contract after Friday's A's vs. Tigers game. He said some things that the network viewed as "racially insensitive". Personally, I knew he was only joking and his words weren't really malicious, so it seems to me that FOX was looking for an easy out with him.
Sweet Lou may be annoying in the booth, but not as bad as Joe Morgan. I hit mute when he speaks and do my own play by play and color commentary.
I still dislike Wheels because he's a kiss ass to the organization, but he actually was better this year. Although that might have something to do with Harry slipping.
Posted by: Drama Queen | Sunday, October 15, 2006 at 07:38 AM
It was heart-warming to see an all-out player like Placido Polanco win the MVP of the ALCS. It's nice that the Phillies are able to trade vets who can make a difference and get quality prospects in return....Oh, wait. That's right, they have nothing to show for that trade at all. I almost forgot.
Posted by: clout | Sunday, October 15, 2006 at 08:45 AM
They could have had Leyland too, but no, heaven forbid someone actually tells the Phillies like it is...
Posted by: Jon | Sunday, October 15, 2006 at 10:24 AM
Interesting little article by Jim Salisbury. Check it out here:
http://www.philly.com/mld/philly/sports/15764348.htm
Posted by: Jon | Sunday, October 15, 2006 at 10:40 AM
Jon, I saw that article - interesting indeed. The description of Rolen's reaction to Salisbury's suggestion that he could return to the Phillies is priceless - a 'mixture of revulsion and amusement'. What shouldn't be lost on people, though, is that LaRussa is *not* the world-class manager he's often portrayed as. I still remember Ron Gant's tirade about him when he left the Cardinals, and all along I've observed that his people skills leave plenty to be desired. You'd think someone who's been around that long would have better communication skills and sense enough not to say the ridiculous crap he says to the media.
Posted by: RickSchuBlues | Sunday, October 15, 2006 at 02:37 PM
I agree RSB. It was pure joy to see Ron Gant light up St. Louis pitching only to bring an intense scowl to LaRussa's face! If you look up the definition of a pompous ass, you will see a picture of LaRussa himself.
Posted by: Jon | Sunday, October 15, 2006 at 06:38 PM
Jon- right beside LaRussa's pic for pompous ass in the dictionary is a pic of Curt Schilling as a synonym.
Posted by: Drama Queen | Monday, October 16, 2006 at 06:24 AM
What did Lyons say?
Posted by: Paul | Monday, October 16, 2006 at 09:05 AM
I'd still rather see the Cards in the WS instead of the Mets.
Posted by: Lake Fred | Monday, October 16, 2006 at 09:22 AM
34b-26-36? those are clouts measurements also! what a coincidence!
Posted by: Tim | Monday, October 16, 2006 at 10:02 AM
George Will has a nice column in the NY Post about baseball and the Yankees. He mentions the 1950 Phillies in a positive light. Here's the link:
http://www.nypost.com/seven/10152006/postopinion/opedcolumnists/baseballs_golden_age_opedcolumnists_george_f__will.htm
Posted by: Lake Fred | Monday, October 16, 2006 at 12:09 PM
rocky mountain news is reports that jimy williams "in in line" for a job with the phil's. it doesn't say what his job will be though. i know williams was in toronto with PG, and i know his houston team played better without him. that's about it.
http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/mlb/article/0,2777,DRMN_23924_5069555,00.html
Posted by: Tim | Monday, October 16, 2006 at 01:20 PM
"is reporting" - not "is reports" - sorry
Posted by: Tim | Monday, October 16, 2006 at 01:21 PM
Oh, gosh, Johnny Callison. One of the few Phillies players that both of my parents were big fans of, even after 1964. I'm surprised I didn't hear about it through them, I'll have to forward it on. Sad.
Posted by: Deanna | Monday, October 16, 2006 at 08:18 PM