Former Major League Catcher and Coach Ed Ott Passes Away at 72 – Sky Bulletin

The baseball community mourns the loss of Ed Ott, who was not only a former league’s catcher but also a coach and played an instrumental role in the Pittsburgh Pirates’ 1979 World Series victory. Ott passed away on Sunday at the age of 72.

The Pirates organization confirmed Ott’s passing, which occurred in Danville, a town in central Pennsylvania. Details regarding his death were not disclosed by the team.

Pittsburgh Pirates President Travis Williams expressed deep sorrow over Ott’s demise, acknowledging him as a cherished figure in the team’s history. Williams’ statement highlighted Ott’s significant contributions to the Pirates, especially during his seven seasons with the club and the memorable World Series triumph in 1979.

Ott hailed from Muncy and was drafted straight out of high school by the Pirates in the 23rd round of the 1970 amateur draft. Over his major league career, which spanned 567 games, he compiled a .259 batting average, hit 33 home runs, and notched 195 RBIs.

In the 1979 championship year, Ott shared the catching duties with Steve Nicosia and delivered a robust performance during the regular season, hitting .273 with seven homers and a personal season-high of 51 RBIs in 117 games. During the World Series matchup against the Baltimore Orioles, Ott had three RBIs with a 4 for 12 performance at the plate across three games.

The final MLB game of Ott’s career took place in 1981 with the California Angels. Following his active playing years, he maintained his ties to baseball as a minor league coach for the Angels, Pirates, and Reds. He also brought his experience to major league coaching staffs, working with both the Houston Astros and Detroit Tigers.

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AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

Q: What were Ed Ott’s career statistics?
A: Ed Ott had a batting average of .259 with 33 home runs and 195 RBIs over his 567-game major league career.

Q: Which teams did Ed Ott serve as a coach after his playing career?
A: After retiring as a player, Ed Ott coached in the minor leagues for the Angels, Pirates, and Reds, and in the MLB for the Astros and Tigers.

Q: How did Ed Ott perform in the 1979 World Series?
A: Ott played three World Series games, batting 4 for 12 and driving in three runs against the Baltimore Orioles.

Q: When did Ed Ott play his last MLB game?
A: Ott’s last MLB appearance was with the California Angels in 1981.

Ed Ott’s passing is a solemn occasion for baseball fans, particularly those of the Pittsburgh Pirates, with whom he achieved the pinnacle of baseball success. As both a player and a coach, Ott had a profound impact on the game, sharing his passion and expertise with many along the way. His legacy in baseball, particularly in Pittsburgh, will endure, and he will be remembered as part of the historic team that captured the 1979 World Series title. Ott’s contributions to the sport have left an indelible mark, and his memory will continue to be honored by the baseball community.