Life After Baseball

As an former Baltimore Orioles fan of long-standing, I always read with interest news items about the players I grew up watching.

Yesterday, Steve Barber, the first pitcher to win 20 games in a season for the modern franchise, passed away. In searching online for information about Barber, I came across this item from the Baltimore Sun. It was published in the September, 24, 2006, edition under the headline Where Are They Now?

I know the names will largely be unfamiliar to many of you, but what struck me were the jobs these former major league ballplayers held after their playing days were over. Their largely modest means of earning a second living are emblematic of a different, far less well-paid era if nothing else:

Player, Pos., Home, Occupation

Jerry Adair, 2B, Deceased

Luis Aparicio, SS, Maracaibo, Venez., Owner of insurance company

Steve Barber, P, Henderson, Nev., School bus driver

Mark Belanger, SS, Deceased

Frank Bertaina, P, Santa Rosa, Calif., Profession unknown

Paul Blair, OF, Owings Mills Retired, former baseball coach at Coppin State

Curt Blefary, OF-1B, Deceased

Sam Bowens, OF, Deceased

Gene Brabender, P, Deceased

Wally Bunker, P Lowell, Ohio, Potter, craftsman

Camilo Carreon, C, Deceased

Moe Drabowsky, P, Deceased

Mike Epstein, 1B, Denver, Private hitting instructor

Andy Etchebarren, C, Nokimas, Fla., Manager, Aberdeen IronBirds; Orioles' roving catching instructor

Eddie Fisher, P, Altus, Okla., Retired Oklahoma state golf director

Dick Hall, P, Timonium, Certified public accountant

Larry Haney, C, Barboursville, Va., Scout for Milwaukee Brewers

Woodie Held, IF-OF Dubois, Wyo., Retired backhoe operator

Bob Johnson, IF, St. Paul, Minn., Account executive for advertising firm

Davey Johnson, 2B-SS, Winter Park, Fla., Manager U.S. Olympic baseball team; consultant for Washington Nationals

John Miller, P, Mount Airy, Retired firefighter

Stu Miller, P, Cameron Park, Calif., Retired liquor store owner

Dave McNally, P, Deceased

Jim Palmer, P, Palm Beach, Fla., Broadcaster; spokesman for Nutramax, Wal-Mart and Baltimore and Frito-Lay

Tom Phoebus, P, Palm City, Fla., Retired elementary school teacher

Boog Powell, 1B, Grasonville Owner of barbecue chain

Frank Robinson, OF-1B Los Angeles Manager, Washington Nationals

Brooks Robinson,3B, Owings Mills, Assistant to president of Keystone Baseball, owner of four independent minor league clubs

Vic Roznovsky, C, Fresno, Calif., Homebuilder

Bill Short, P, Sarasota, Fla., Profession unknown

Russ Snyder, OF, Nelson, Neb., Retired soil conservation technician

Eddie Watt, P, North Bend, Neb., Retired minor league pitching coach

Manager/coaches

Hank Bauer, Overland Park, Kan., Retired

Bill Hunter, Lutherville, Retired

Harry Brecheen, Deceased

Gene Woodling, Deceased