Royals and Cardinals pitcher Mark Littell, who spent nine seasons in the big leagues, died earlier in the week at 69, following heart surgery.
Littell is best remembered for giving up a home run to Chris Chambliss to end Game 5 of the 1976 ALCS, which gave the Yankees their first American League pennant in 12 years.
But it was Littell’s pitching which helped the Royals edge out the A’s for the AL West title in the first place, going 8-4 with a 2.08 ERA out of the bullpen and even earning some MVP votes.
The Royals held a moment of silence for Littell before Tuesday’s game against the Guardians.
The right-hander pitched with the Royals in 1973 and from 1975-77 and with the Cardinals from 1978-82. He appeared in 16 games for the 1982 Cardinals team that won the world title and returned to St. Louis in August for the team’s 40th anniversary celebration.
Littell was 32-31 with 56 saves and a 3.32 ERA in a career cut short by bone spurs.
He did appear in one more game, with the Stockton Ports, a minor-league affiliate of the Brewers in 1994.
Littell, the team’s pitching coach, was pressed into emergency service and pitched a shutout inning, even earning the win when the team rallied in the bottom of the ninth.
A smoke bomb seems to create little disturbance as Yankees Chris Chambliss, left, stood at bat in sixth inning of the second AL Championship Series game at Yankee Stadium, Thursday, Oct. 6, 1977, New York. On mound for the Royals is Mark Littell, right. AP
Pitcher Mark Littell of the Kansas City Royals delivers a pitch during a game on June 20, 1976 against the Cleveland Indians at Municipal Stadium in Cleveland, Ohio. Diamond Images/Getty Images
Mark Littell of the St. Louis Cardinals poses before a MLB game at Busch Stadium in St. Louis, Missouri. Getty ImagesLittell, who wrote three books, also invented the NuttyBuddy protective athletic cup, even giving demonstrations.
Littell is survived by his wife, Sanna.
