Just heard that Charlie Hustle died today. He was 83.

https://x.com/CincyProblems/status/1840892413407019091

This has been a rough year for the Big Red Machine alumni. We've now lost 9 guys from the mid-70s World Series-winning teams, including 4 this year alone:

 

Clay Kirby* (1991 - 43 year old)

Pedro Borbon (2012 - 66)

Bob Bailey+ (2018 - 75)

Joe Morgan (2020 - 77)

Ed Armbrister (2021 - 72)

Don Gullett (2024 - 73)

Bill Plummer (2024 - 76)

Pat Zachary+ (2024 - 71)

Pete (2024 - 83)

 

And of course we lost Sparky in 2010 at the age of 76.

 

* 1975 team only

+ 1976 team only

I missed Bill Plummer and Pat Zachary dying. RIP to them.

Thought I'd also mention the coaches as well, who've all since passed away too:

 

Ted Kluszewski (1988 - 63)

Sparky (2010 - 76 years old)

Larry Shepard (2011 - 92)

George Scherger (2011 - 90)

Russ Nixon+ (2016 - 81)

Alex Grammas* (2019 - 93)

 

* 1975 team only

+ 1976 team only

 

Clay Carroll is now the oldest living member of the Big Red Machine at 83. (he only played on the '75 team)

 

Next are the Big Dog, Tony Perez, and Fred Norman, both of whom are 82, followed by Jack Billingham and Merv Rettenmund ('75 only), both of whom are 81.

 

The youngest suviving member is Manny Sarmiento ('76 only), who is 68. 

And now we lost Merv Rettenmund from the '75 championship team. He passed away on Dec. 7 at the age of 81.