Cloninger hit five of his 11 career home runs in 1966. But he was pulled in the sixth inning, before Orioles pitcher Dave McNally connected off reliever Wayne Granger to become the first pitcher to hit a grand slam in a World Series. He drove in nine runs that day, in fact, getting three hits as the Braves routed San Francisco 17-3. He's not a finesse man yet. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to East Lincoln Optimist Club, PO Box 39, Denver, NC 28037. He was a star player for Rock Springs High School in Denver, about 25 miles north of Charlotte, pitching two no-hitters in his senior year, one of them a perfect game. Tony Cloninger, who assured himself a page in the rich lore of Major League Baseball when he became the only pitcher to hit two grand slams in a game, died on July 24 in Denver, N.C., where he had been a high school standout. At one point, Cloninger, age 61 at the time but not shying away from trouble, grabbed Orioles player Brook Fordyce in a headlock. Former pitcher Tony Cloninger, who earned four World . us, Died: Find the obituary of Ray Eugene Cloninger (1936 - 2021) from Denver, NC. After leaving the majors, Cloninger was a big hitter for a nationally recognized softball team in North Carolina. Anyone can read what you share. Playing at Candlestick Park, Cloninger became the only pitcher to hit two grand slams in the same game. He's also survived by nine grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Tony Cloninger was born on Tuesday, August 13, 1940, in Lincoln County, North Carolina. A 6-foot-tall, 210-pound right-hander, Cloninger threw the first pitch for the new Atlanta franchise, starting on opening day in what was then called Atlanta Stadium. Traded to Cincinnati during the 1968 season, he went to the World Series with the Reds in 1970. His fastball is in the same class with Bob Gibson's, Bob Veale's, Jim Maloney's, Don Drysdale's, and those fellows. IRON STATION Rarely in newspaper history does a sports story on a high school athlete rate Page One coverage. Cloninger used a bat of teammate Denis Menke's to hit both of those big home runs, and they stood as the only two grand slams of his major league career. Did you know Cloninger is also the only pitcher ever to accomplish the feat in baseball history through today, the first player from the National League ever to hit two slams in one game, and Tony tied the Major League mark for most RBIs in a game by a pitcher - all in that same game? He was 77. The Braves sent 52 batters to face Giants pitching. On April 12, 1966, Cloninger threw the first pitch for the new Atlanta franchise. Do you have a blog? He was 77. He went on to have a 113-97 record with 13 shutouts and six saves and 4.07 ERA in 352 appearances (247 starts) over his 12-year career. Denis Menke Bat | Tony Cloninger Two Grand Slams Game | July 3, 1966. . Tony Cloninger hoisted an armload of bats in 1966 after pitching the Atlanta Braves to a 17-3 victory over the San Francisco Giants and entering the record books as the only pitcher ever to hit two grand slams in a game. He hit five of his 11 career home runs that year and batted a respectable .261. The May 16, 1958 game came less than a week after he threw a perfect game in a first round playoff win over Drexel. Cloninger hit five of his 11 career home runs in 1966. He was acquired along with Clay Carroll and Woody Woodward by the Reds from the Atlanta Braves for Milt Pappas, Bob Johnson and Ted Davidson on June 11, 1968.[3]. Where what happened yesterday is being preserved today. So many of them.". In 1970 he went to the World Series with Cincinnati and started Game 3 against the Baltimore Orioles. The importance of saying "I love you" during COVID-19, Effective ways of dealing with the grieving process, Solutions to show your sympathy safely during the Covid-19 pandemic. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. August 13, 1940 Cloninger, 76, still lives in Lincoln County and is a father of four children who he credits for supporting him throughout his coaching career. July 24, 2018 Leave your condolences to the family on this memorial page or send flowers to show you care. She was predeceased by : her aunt Pearl Gardner; her sister-in-law Sally Cloninger; and her nephews . BOSTON -- Major League Baseball mourns the loss of Tony Cloninger, who passed away on Tuesday at the age of 77. He compiled a career batting average of .192, with 67 RBIs and 11 home runs, including five in the 1966 season. Tony Cloninger Position: Pitcher Bats: Right Throws: Right 6-0 , 210lb (183cm, 95kg) Born: August 13, 1940 in Lincoln County, NC us More bio, uniform, draft, salary info Do you want even more trivia? Seattle Mariners unveil City Connect uniforms. Leave a sympathy message to the family in the guestbook on this memorial page of Ann H. Cloninger to show support. Subscribe to Stathead Baseball: Get your first month FREEYour All-Access Ticket to the Baseball Reference Database. Blogs; Online will; Shop. Ray was born August 26, 1946 in Bellefontaine to the late Donald Edward and Emma L. (Jackson) Cloninger. In the May 22, 1958, edition of The Gaston Gazette, Tony Cloninger was that rare player. Sport Magazine. Try our free interactive obituary template. Cloninger also had a 22-strikeout game earlier in the 1957 season in a 10-1 victory at Shelby's old Sumter Street ballpark. Become a Stathead & surf this site ad-free. Tony Cloninger played for 4 teams; the Milwaukee Braves, Atlanta Braves, Cincinnati Reds and St. Louis Cardinals. To ease my mind, he said, he went raccoon hunting with his brother. Fiorentina captain Astori found dead aged 31 before match. Cloninger has a daughter, Meredith Sherrill, and three sons Tony Jr., Darin and Michael. His first grand slam came in the first inning with the Braves already ahead, 3-0, thanks to a home run by Torre, Atlantas catcher. Please accept Echovita's sincere condolences. 1? Tony finished the 1966 season with a .234 batting average, five home runs, and a .414 slugging percentage. His biographical data, year-by-year hitting stats, fielding stats, pitching stats (where applicable), career totals, uniform numbers, salary data and miscellaneous items-of-interest are presented by Baseball Almanac on this comprehensive Tony Cloninger baseball stats page. Cloninger died Tuesday. July 24, 2018 Cloninger died Tuesday. He became Boston's pitching coach in 2002 and took a medical leave in 2003 because of bladder cancer. Nicknamed the "Rock Springs Rifle" by late Gazette sports reporter Dwight Frady when Cloninger was a basketball andbaseball star at Rock Springs and a baseball star for Cherryville American Legion Post 100, Cloninger would eventuallybecome one of the first players that led to the region's ongoing embrace of the Atlanta Braves. Waiting for the deal to go through was nerve wracking, he told United Press International. Cloninger recovered and returned to the Red Sox, first as a senior pitching adviser in 2004 and then spending the next 14 seasons as a player development consultant. You can send your sympathy in the guestbook provided and share it with the family. Ray was born to the late Donald and Emma (Jackson) Cloninger. Tony Cloninger weighed 210 lbs (95 kg) when playing. The son of the late Carl E. and Edna L. Cloninger, he is survived by three sons Tony, Jr. (Karen), Darin (Angie) and Michael (Kim) and one daughter Meredith Sherrill (Ronnie). Tony Cloninger, who assured himself a page in the rich lore of Major League Baseball when he became the only pitcher to hit two grand slams in a game, died on July 24 in Denver, N.C., where he. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. 2018 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. Tony Cloninger was the sole pitcher during that historic 13-inning Opening Day game, lost it 3-2, and said, "I was excited about going to Atlanta, about being able to pitch not too far from my North Carolina home. DENVER, N.C. Former major league pitcher Tony Cloninger, perhaps best known for hitting two grand slams in a game, has died. DENVER, N.C. (AP) Former major league pitcher Tony Cloninger, perhaps best known for hitting two grand slams in a game, has died. His next career as a standout athlete came on the softball diamond as he played for national power Howard's Furnitureof Denver that was owned by softball Hall of Famer Richard Howard and coached by softball Hall of Famer Bobby Lutz, Sr. Some high school data is courtesy David McWater. His funeral service will be held at 11:00 am on Monday, July 30, 2018 at Denver United Methodist Church. In that stretch, Cloninger went 113-97 with a 4.07 ERA over 1,767 2/3 innings across 352 outings, including 247 starts. Cloninger was also associated with the Yankees for nine seasons beginning in 1992, eight as the bullpen coach and one as the pitching coach under Manager Joe Torre. Data Provided By Light a candle Illuminate their memory Ann H. Cloninger Obituary We are sad to announce that on April 10, 2023 we had to say goodbye to Ann H. Cloninger (Lincolnton, North Carolina). He was 77.A 12-year big leaguer who is best remembered for being the only pitcher in MLB history to hit two grand slams in a single game, doing so for the Braves on July 3, 1966, at Candlestick Park, Cloninger had been in his role with the Red Sox since 2005.After retiring after the 1972 season, Cloninger got back into pro baseball in 1988, then was bullpen coach for the Yankees from 1992-2001, overseeing a relief unit that contributed to four World Series titles. His 15-year professional career included 12 seasons in the Major Leagues, as he went 113-97 with a 4.07 ERA in 352 appearances (247 starts) for the Braves (1961-68), Cincinnati Reds (1968-71) and St. Louis Cardinals (1972). Or maybe better, since he carved a niche in baseball history that can. BOSTON -- Major League Baseball mourns the loss of Tony Cloninger, who passed away on Tuesday at the age of 77. Milwaukee Braves Manager. Many thanks to him. June 15, 1961 Do you have a sports website? You can send your sympathy in the guestbook provided and share it with the family. 11,854th in major league history) He was 77. 1 one month into the season? Cloninger died Tuesday. Pitching at what was then called Atlanta Stadium, he started on opening day and tossed all 13 innings in a 3-2 loss to Pittsburgh a home run by Willie Stargell broke the tie. Cloninger drove in nine runs in all that day, getting three hits as the Braves thrashed the Giants, 17-3. He became Boston's pitching coach in 2002 and took a medical leave in 2003 because of bladder cancer. Find out more. Exactly 24 years ago as he sat there Thursday afternoon wrapped in a New York Yankees warmup jacket, Cloninger had pitched the opener for the Braves in the first-ever regular-season game in . All Rights Reserved. On April 12, 1966, Cloninger threw the first pitch for the new Atlanta franchise. Tony Cloninger was born in Lincoln County, NC. Cloninger, who went on to have a 12-year major league career, died on Tuesday at age 77. Raymond's Obituary . All images are property the copyright holder and are displayed here for informational purposes only. He had worked as a consultant for the Boston Red Sox since 2002 and the team announced his death Saturday. Tony Lee Cloninger was the fourth child born to Carl E. Cloninger and his wife, Edna (ne Lynch) on August 13, 1940, in the rolling terrain of Lincoln County, North Carolina, northwest of Charlotte. He was 77. Use without license or authorization is expressly prohibited. Scores from any date in Major League history, Minor, Foreign, College, & Black Baseball, Frequently Asked Questions about MLB and Baseball, Subscribe to Stathead Baseball: Get your first month FREE. The 1966 season was not his best for the Braves as a pitcher he wound up with a record of 14-11, coming off a career-high 24-11 season the year before but it was his best at the plate. For nine seasons beginning in 1992, Cloninger was a New York Yankees coach, eight as the bullpen coach and one as the pitching coach under manager Joe Torre. Prepare a personalized obituary for someone you loved.. Then, after his major league career ended, Cloninger was a standout recreation softball player for the legendaryHoward's Furniture team in Denver before eventually returning to the major leagues as a pitching coach. (Age 31-344d) Did you know that the National Baseball Hall of Fame has a Denis Menke bat (pictured below) from the historic game because Tony borrowed his bat that day? His funeral service will be held at 11:00 am on Monday, July 30, 2018 at Denver United Methodist Church with Rev. . Cloninger finished up as a reliever with St. Louis in 1972. He had worked as a consultant for the Boston Red Sox since 2002, and the team announced his death Saturday. Some defensive statistics Copyright Sports Info Solutions, 2010-2023. He played in Major League Baseball as a right-handed pitcher from 1961 through 1972 for the Milwaukee / Atlanta Braves, Cincinnati Reds and the St. Louis Cardinals . All rights reserved. Five, including Cloninger, had at least three hits. Tony Cloninger has not been elected into the Hall of Fame. copyright=new Date(); inDenver,NC, Buried: Many historical player head shots courtesy of David Davis. Cloninger returned to pro ball was the longtime bullpen coach for the New York Yankees during their championship run. A unique and lasting tribute for a loved one. Cloninger died . (As a batter, he had a career average of .192.). On April 12, 1966, Cloninger threw the first pitch for the new Atlanta franchise. Total Zone Rating and initial framework for Wins above Replacement calculations provided by Sean Smith. As Red Sox pitching coach, Cloninger was ejected from a game in 2002 against the Baltimore Orioles. He joined the Red Sox the following year as pitching coach, and remained with the team until his passing, leaving for a period as he recovered from treatment for bladder cancer during the early part of his tenure.Cloninger spent most of his big league career with the Braves, from 1961-68, and was with the club when it moved from Milwaukee to Atlanta. He went on to toss all 13 innings in a 3-2 loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates, serving up a home run to Willie Stargell to break the tie. When the first Braves season in Atlanta was complete, Tony-C had "thrown" twenty-seven wild pitches, a team record for the Atlanta Braves through today, and the most in franchise history since Kid Nichols (1890-1906), who threw thirty wild pitches in 1890! He was 77. Even after going 13 innings on opening day, I still think I would have been all right if I hadn't had to come back on four day's rest against the Mets." the official stats partner of the NBA, NHL and MLB. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Cloninger started and took the loss at Baltimore in Game 3 he was pulled in the sixth, and later that inning Dave McNally connected off reliever Wayne Granger to become the first pitcher to hit a grand slam in the World Series. Full-year historical Major League statistics provided by Pete Palmer and Gary Gillette of Hidden Game Sports. We are sad to announce that on July 24, 2018 we had to say goodbye to Tony Lee Cloninger Sr. (Denver, North Carolina). His most successful season came in 1965, when he set career bests in wins (24-11), ERA (3.29), innings pitched (279), complete games (16), and strikeouts (211). Mr. Tony Lee Cloninger, Sr., age 77, of Denver, passed away on Tuesday, July 24, 2018. Ruth Irene Brown Cloninger Obituary It is always difficult saying goodbye to someone we love and cherish. 2023 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. During the summers of 1956 and 1957, Cloninger was a pitching and hitting standout for Cherryville Post 100. Cloninger, who went on to have a 12-year major league career, died on Tuesday at age 77. Family and friends are welcome to leave their condolences on this memorial page and share them with the family. Cloninger, a right-handed batter, worked Priddy to a full count before stunning the crowd by hammering the ball over the center field fence 410 feet away almost the same spot where Torres blast had gone out. He had a 16-5 pitching record with 308 strikeouts in 171 innings in those two seasons, which ended with playoff defeats to Shelby. Tony Lee Cloninger (August 13, 1940 - July 24, 2018) was an American professional baseball player and coach. The right-hander was 24-11 for Milwaukee in 1965, the club's last season before moving to Atlanta. In a 12-year pitching career, Cloninger had a combined record of 113-97, a 4.07 earned run average and 1,120 strikeouts. Cloninger started and took the loss at Baltimore in Game 3 he was pulled in the sixth, and later that inning Dave McNally connected off reliever Wayne Granger to become the first pitcher to hit a grand slam in the World Series. He earned four World Series rings in New York but was let go after the Yankees lost a seven-game World Series to the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2001. He served as a bullpen coach for the New York Yankees from 1992-2001, helping the club win five pennants and four World Series titles. DENVER, N.C. Former major league pitcher Tony Cloninger, perhaps best known for hitting two grand slams in a game, has died. Cloninger died Tuesday. He had worked as a consultant for the Boston Red Sox since 2002 and the team announced his death Saturday. Cloninger was 20 years old when he broke into the big leagues on June 15, 1961, with the Milwaukee Braves. Every Sports Reference Social Media Account, Site Last Updated: Monday, May 1, 12:21AM. His funeral service will be held at 11:00 am on Monday, July 30, 2018 at Denver United Methodist Church. The right-hander was 24-11 for Milwaukee in 1965, the club's last season before moving to Atlanta. Among Cloninger's teammates were softball Hall of Famers like Don Arndt, Roger Brown, Gene Fisher, Stave Harvey and RickScherr, local standouts like Butch Adams, Buck Buchanan, Dave Carroll and Johnny Colvard and eventual college basketballcoach Bobby Lutz, Jr. Cloninger later returned to baseball as a New York Yankees bullpen coach (1992-2001) with World Series titles in 1996, 1998, 1999 and 2000 and as Boston Red Sox (2002-03) pitching coach. He played four seasons in Cincinnati and finished up his career as a reliever with the St. Louis Cardinals in 1972. A unique and . The Boston Red Sox announced his death on Saturday. Family and friends must say goodbye to their beloved Ruth Irene Brown Cloninger of Kings Mountain, North Carolina, who passed away at the age of 78, on April 14, 2023.

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