Tom Gastall

Thomas Everett Gastall (June 13, 1932 – September 20, 1956) was an American professional baseball player. He played in Major League Baseball as a catcher for the Baltimore Orioles from 1955 to 1956. A right-handed batter and thrower, he stood 6 feet 2 inches (1.88 m) tall and weighed 187 pounds (85 kg).

Tom Gastall
Catcher
Born: (1932-06-13)June 13, 1932
Fall River, Massachusetts
Died: September 20, 1956(1956-09-20) (aged 24)
Riviera Beach, Maryland
Batted: Right Threw: Right
MLB debut
June 21, 1955, for the Baltimore Orioles
Last MLB appearance
September 19, 1956, for the Baltimore Orioles
MLB statistics
Batting average.181
Home runs0
Runs batted in4
Teams

Gastall was born in Fall River, Massachusetts, where he starred in basketball, football and baseball at B.M.C. Durfee High School. Then Gastall attended Boston University; he served as captain of the baseball and basketball teams, and quarterbacked the Terriers to the most successful season in their history to that point. The university named him athlete-of-the-year, and was selected by the Detroit Lions in the 1955 NFL draft.

After graduation, Gastall signed with Baltimore for $40,000 as a bonus baby.[1] Gastall appeared in 52 games and had less than one hundred plate appearances over two seasons with Baltimore.

He died when the ERCO Ercoupe aircraft he piloted experienced engine problems and crashed into the Chesapeake Bay.[2] His body was recovered from the bay five days later.[3] He was survived by his wife, Rosemary, and a son, Thomas.

See also

References

  1. Eisenberg, John (September 16, 2006). "Gastall's secret, fatal flight". Baltimore Sun.
  2. Zimnuich, Fran (2007). Shortened Seasons: The Untimely Deaths of Major League Baseball’s Stars and Journeymen. USA: Taylor Trade Publishing. p. 240. ISBN 9781589793637.
  3. planecrashinfo.com Famous People Who Died in Aviation Accidents: 1950s
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