Former All-Star pitcher Eddie Fisher has passed away at 88. The Lowell-Tims Funeral Home and Crematory in Altus, Oklahoma says Fisher died on Monday, February 17, after a brief illness.
Fisher had a very successful Major League career, playing 15 seasons for six different clubs. Born on July 16, 1936, in Shreveport, Louisiana, Fisher made his big league debut in 1959 for the San Francisco Giants. He later joined the White Sox in 1962 and spent portions of seven seasons on the South Side.
Working primarily as a reliever, Fisher started just 49 of the 286 games he appeared in while with the Sox. His specialty pitch was the knuckleball, which he worked to perfect with the help of the legendary Hoyt Wilhelm from 1963-1966.
Fisher went on to post his best results during the 1965 campaign, going 15-7 with a 2.40 ERA and making, what was then, an American League record of 82 appearances. Along with games pitched, he led the league in WHIP (0.974) and games finished (60), and was second in ERA and saves (24) to notch his lone All-Star appearance. In that year’s Mid-Summer Classic, Fisher tossed the final two innings for the American League, holding the National League scoreless on one hit. He notably retired Hank Aaron, Roberto Clemente, and Ron Santo to end the game.
The following season, Fisher was traded to the Orioles in mid-June and helped them capture the American League pennant. In 44 appearances for Baltimore, he went 5–3 with 13 saves and a 2.64 ERA over 71.2 innings. The O’s tossed complete games in three of the four World Series contests against the Dodgers, leaving Fisher comfortably on the bench en route to earning a ring.
Fisher’s family reflected on his life following his playing days in his obituary:
“After retiring from baseball in 1973, Eddie returned to Oklahoma, where he began a successful second career in banking serving as President of First Federal Savings and Loan. He was the proud owner of Sports World, a sporting goods shop, before joining the Oklahoma Tourism & Recreation Department, where he managed golf operations as the State Director until his retirement in the late ‘90s. Eddie was elected to the University of Oklahoma Baseball Hall of Fame in 2007 and the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame in 2008. He was also active in the Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association.”
“Eddie was a man of many passions. He was an active member of the Elks Golf & Country Club and Woodmen of the World. A member of the First Methodist Church in Altus for over sixty years, Eddie lived his faith through service, love, and generosity. He was an avid golfer, a skilled hunter, and a passionate fisherman. He also had a knack for finding the best online deals, a hobby that brought him much joy.”
The White Sox have not yet released a statement on the passing of Fisher.
Our entire team at Sox On 35th would like to express our condolences to Eddie’s loved ones during this difficult time.
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