Richie Ashburn
1927- 1997
Sketch of Ashburn from his playing days surrounding his retired number plaque that hangs at the Vet
PHILLIES HALL-OF-FAMER RICHIE ASHBURN
Former Philadelphia Phillies center fielder and Hall-of-Famer Richie Ashburn died early Tuesday September 9, 1997, in New York of an apparent heart attack. He was 70. Ashburn broadcasted the Phillies' game against the New York Mets on Monday night and later died in his room at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in New York. Ashburn finished his career with the Mets in their first season, 1962, and joined the Phillies as a broadcaster the following season. He won the batting title in 1955 with a .338 average and again in 1958, with a .350 mark. Ashburn also finished second three times. One of the great leadoff hitters in major league history, Ashburn led the National League in walks and runs scored four times, and hits and triples three times. A defensive wizard, Ashburn tied a major league record by leading NL outfielders in putouts nine times. The six-time All-Star also hit over .300 nine times in his 15 year career. The Tilden, Neb., native started his career with the Phillies in 1948, winning Rookie of the Year with a .333 average, and played there until a trade to the Chicago Cubs after the 1959 season. After two years with the Cubs, he went to the expansion Mets. In 2,189 games, he had 2,574 hits and a .308 batting average, earning election into the Hall of Fame in 1995.
The Annual Richie Ashburn Celebrity Golf Classic is still held every year in June on an off day in the Phillies schedule.  Participants include the Mayor of Philadelphia, Phillies players, past and present, Richie's former broadcast partners, Phillies ownership and many more.  Proceeds from the tournament go to Philadelphia area Boy Scouts, and the Police Athletic League of Philadelphia.
Information on making Donations can be found at the Home page of the Philadelphia Phillies.
Information on the  2ND ANNUAL RICHIE ASHBURN MEMORIAL HOME RUNS FOR HEART! can be found here.
 
A couple of other sites dedicated to Richie are located here.
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I am looking for other pictures, and sound bytes of the late great Phillies announcer and ballplayer.  If you have one that you will be willing to let me place on my website, email me at: datater@oocities.com   Thank You.