BBTF's Newsblog Discussion :: Former Major Leaguer Howie Koplitz passes away at 73

Baseball Primer Newsblog
— The Best News Links from the Baseball Newsstand

Thursday, January 05, 2012

Former Major Leaguer Howie Koplitz passes away at 73

What is there to say…

Howie Koplitz

Repoz Posted: January 05, 2012 at 05:43 AM | 10 comment(s) Login to Bookmark
Tags: nationals, obituaries, tigers

Reader Comments and Retorts

Statements posted here are those of our readers and do not represent the BaseballThinkFactory. Names are provided by the poster and are not verified. We ask that posters follow our submission policy. Please report any inappropriate comments.

1. Jefferson Manship (Dan Lee) Posted: January 05, 2012 at 07:13 AM (#4029369)

After his playing career, Koplitz went on to star in 'WKRP in Cincinnati' as bumbling newsman Les Nessman.

2. aberg Posted: January 05, 2012 at 11:18 AM (#4029471)

Did anyone not first read that as Howie Kendrick?

3. The Long Arm of Rudy Law Posted: January 05, 2012 at 11:48 AM (#4029485)

Did anyone not first read that as Howie Kendrick?

I usually read Howie Kendrick as Howie Koplitz because Repoz has seared this card into my mind.

4. Johnny Slick Posted: January 05, 2012 at 11:48 AM (#4029486)

That card looks to be from the mid 60s and the man in it looks like he was in his 50s at least at the time. No WAY was Koplitz only 73. Was he from a South American country?

5. Bob Evans Posted: January 05, 2012 at 12:23 PM (#4029512)

Those clear frames...why, you can hardly tell he has glasses on at all.

6. Tom Nawrocki Posted: January 05, 2012 at 12:33 PM (#4029522)

It's a 1966 Topps card. If you didn't know better, you'd think he was a senator, rather than a Senator.

7. JimMusComp misses old primer... Posted: January 05, 2012 at 12:41 PM (#4029534)

My grandpa played baseball in the mid-60's? When HE was in his mid 60's? Amazing.

8. The Long Arm of Rudy Law Posted: January 05, 2012 at 12:42 PM (#4029537)

He is remembered as a nice guy with a major league arm, who enjoyed the game of baseball.

The card pretty much nails him then.

9. ERROR---Jolly Old St. Nick

Posted: January 05, 2012 at 01:09 PM (#4029564)

Believe it or not, Koplitz was once looked upon as the Tigers' pitcher of the future, after he'd gone 23 and 3 with a 2.11 ERA for Birmingham of the Southern Association in 1961. What didn't seem to be noticed was that the Southern Association was in its last year, and as the last all-white league left in professional baseball its level of competition made that 23-3 record a bit dubious.

10. ERROR---Jolly Old St. Nick

Posted: January 05, 2012 at 01:12 PM (#4029568)

The card pretty much nails him then.

It also shows that he and Clint Courtney could've shared a Playgirl centerfold.

You must be Registered and Logged In to post comments.

<< Back to main

Thursday, January 05, 2012

Former Major Leaguer Howie Koplitz passes away at 73

Reader Comments and Retorts

BBTF Partner

Support BBTF

Hot Topics