Baseball Notebook

Daily Baseball Blog

Billy Loes Dies at 80

Billy Loes former Brooklyn Dodgers hurler who appeared in the 1952, 1953 and 1955 World Series has died at the age of 80.

Billy Loes who compiled a 80-63 record in 11 seasons with the Brooklyn Dodgers, Baltimore Orioles and San Francisco Giants has died at the age of 80 in a hospice in Tucson, Arizona. He had been battling diabetes for several years.

He made headlines when he said the Yankees would win the 1952 World Series in six games. He was one game off as the Yankees won in seven games but it was unusual for a player to predict the other team would win the World Series.

Loes missed a chance to be the winning  pitcher in what could have been a World Series clinching win for the Dodgers in the sixth game but allowed the Dodgers to take the win.

Vic Raschi gave up a single when a ball caromed off the leg of Loes. After the game Loes said he had lost the ground ball in the sun. The Yankees went on to win the World Series in the next game.

He had died on July 15 but the New York Times didn’t print it till their July 27, 2010 edition.


Single Post Navigation

2 thoughts on “Billy Loes Dies at 80

  1. Ron Sayles on said:

    I remember Billy Loes. A character.

  2. Yes he was a character. Whenever I hear his name I instantly think of him saying he lost a ground ball in the sun.

Leave a comment