[Deathwatch] John Roseboro, athlete, 69

[Deathwatch Central <cdw@slick.org>]

LA Dodgers Ex-Catcher John Roseboro Dies at Age 69
Mon Aug 19, 9:34 PM ET

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Former Los Angeles Dodgers catcher John
Roseboro, whose clutch hits and classy fielding played second fiddle to
an incident in which he so annoyed pitcher Juan Marichal that Marichal
beat him with his bat, has died at age 69, a hospital spokeswoman said
Monday. 

Roseboro, who suffered from a failing heart, strokes and prostrate
cancer, died Friday at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. 

A four-time all star catcher with an average of .249 in 14 seasons,
Roseboro was famed for being the victim of Marichal's anger on Aug. 22,
1965, when the San Francisco Giants pitcher came up to bat in the home
third inning of a game at Candlestick Park. 

Marichal had hit a Dodger player earlier and an irked Roseboro had been
firing Sandy Koufax's pitches back to him just inches from Marichal's
ear as he took his turn at bat. 

Marichal turned around to tell Roseboro to stop and Roseboro stood up
and took off his mask. Marichal saw this as a threat and hit the
catcher in the head with the bat. Roseboro ended up bloodied and the
two teams brawled for 14 minutes. Marichal was suspended for eight
games. 

It was considered one of baseball's uglier moments. The two men became
friends years later and Marichal believed it was Roseboro's public
forgiveness of him that enabled the Dominican star to make it to the
Hall of Fame. 

Former Dodger manager Tommy Lasorda called Roseboro ""the nicest man to
ever wear a Dodger uniform." 

The Ohio-born Roseboro succeeded Dodger legend Roy Campanella as Dodger
catcher in 1957, playing 10 years for the team and taking part in four
World Series. 

He is survived by his wife Barbara and daughter Morgan.