HORACE CLARKE HAS DIED

It's sad, because Horace Clarke was a fan favorite, especially in recent years at Old Timer's Day.  But now Horace Clarke has died.  Very sad.

The Hall of Fame remembers former @Yankees and @Padres second baseman Horace Clarke, who passed away on Wednesday. pic.twitter.com/fe3fNN6RYI

— National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum ⚾ (@baseballhall) August 7, 2020

This comes from the New York Times:

"Horace Clarke, a dependable though light-hitting second baseman for the Yankees who became indelibly and ingloriously associated with the team’s lean years in the 1960s and ’70s — what some sardonically labeled “the Horace Clarke era” — died on Wednesday at his home in Laurel, Md. He was 82...

His son Jeffrey said the cause was complications of Alzheimer’s disease.

At the time of his debut, in 1965, Clarke, an undersized middle infielder, was one of just five players born in the U.S. Virgin Islands to make it to the major leagues. He played 10 seasons in the majors, all but part of the last season for the Yankees.

What he lacked in power as a hitter — he had only 27 career home runs — he made up for with a sure-handed glove and excellent speed. His stolen-base totals were in double digits in seven seasons, and he was among the American League’s top 10 base stealers four times."

Sad day for baseball and the Yankees.  Prayers to his family. Rest in Peace, friend.