Doug Griffin, American baseball player, Died at 69

  Sports

Douglas Lee Griffin was born on June 4, 1947, and died on July 28, 2016.

He was an American professional baseball second baseman.

Doug played for the California Angels and Boston Red Sox of Major League Baseball (MLB).

He was drafted in the 21st round of the 1965 Major League Baseball draft by the California Angels, and played in their minor league organization until his call-up in 1970.

When he 18 games with the Angels, in which he hit .127 with four RBI in 62 games, he was traded to the Red Sox in a six-player trade that sent popular outfielder Tony Conigliaro to the Angels.

He was the Red Sox’ regular second baseman from 1971 until mid-1975.

He was not a very good hitter, posting modest batting averages with few walks and very little power, but instead he was an excellent fielder, winning a Gold Glove Award in 1972.

During June 1975, the Red Sox acquired veteran second baseman Denny Doyle from the Angels, and for the rest of the season, the left-handed-hitting Doyle was the Red Sox’ primary second baseman, with the right-handed-hitting Griffin starting only against left-handed pitchers.

Griffin did not appear in the American League Championship Series against the Oakland Athletics, and made only one brief appearance in the World Series against the Cincinnati Reds.

Griffin suffered various injuries during his professional career. On April 30, 1974, Griffin was beaned by a Nolan Ryan fastball knocking him unconscious.

The beaning left him with a small concussion and temporary hearing loss.

On August 30, 1975, Doug was beaned again, this time by Oakland’s Dick Bosman.

Doug Griffin experienced hearing and equilibrium problems, but recovered very quickly.

At this time he had been wearing an ear flap with his protective helmet.

He played only sparingly in 1976, and was released after playing in only five games in 1977.

Doug Griffin passed away at 69 years old.