Who was I

[rufralf]

I was drafted by the Cardinals but only played for the Reds and Padres. I was once a coach for the Cardinals. I passed away on March 25, 2014. Who was I?

[psuhistory]

No idea. For what it's worth, Clay Kirby pitched for the Padres and Reds, but he died years ago. Fred Norman also pitched for both, in addition to many other clubs, and lives to tell the tale...

[quantumfootball]

Is it Roberto Petagine?

[rufralf]

Wow... A former Reds player died about 2 weeks ago and nothing was reported on his death. Sad. The person in question worked with Sparky Anderson and Bob Howsam before either one was associated with the Reds. He became the youngest  coach in MLB under Vern Rapp. He was head coach of a minor league baseball team at the tender age of 24. He was the first person to reach second base and congratulate Lou Brock when he broke baseballs alltime total stolen base record. He once played all 9 positions in a minor league baseball game. He didn't play a full season as a Red. Any diehard Reds fans left out there?

[ruffralf]

Another clue. On June 14,1966 there was a minor league game played between the Miami Marlins and the St. Petersburg Cardinals. The game lasted 29 innings and over 7 hours. Up to that date, this was the longest uninterrupted baseball game in history. Manager of St Petersburg team was Sparky Anderson. Player in question played for Sparky. He was catcher for 9 innings and then shortstop for 20 innings in that game.

[Lark11]

Apr 6, 2014 19:02:21 GMT -5 ruffralf said:

Another clue. On June 14,1966 there was a minor league game played between the Miami Marlins and the St. Petersburg Cardinals. The game lasted 29 innings and over 7 hours. Up to that date, this was the longest uninterrupted baseball game in history. Manager of St Petersburg team was Sparky Anderson. Player in question played for Sparky. He was catcher for 9 innings and then shortstop for 20 innings in that game.

This feels like a job for MexicanRed or DukeCrunchyBagel. I'm afraid I've got nothing without resorting to google. Great question though. Looking forward to the answer.

[rufralf]

Apr 6, 2014 12:35:02 GMT -5 quantumfootball said:

Is it Roberto Petagine?

You have half the name right.

[rufralf]

Apr 6, 2014 14:15:48 GMT -5 rufralf said:

Wow... A former Reds player died about 2 weeks ago and nothing was reported on his death. Sad. The person in question worked with Sparky Anderson and Bob Howsam before either one was associated with the Reds. He became the youngest  coach in MLB under Vern Rapp. He was head coach of a minor league baseball team at the tender age of 24. He was the first person to reach second base and congratulate Lou Brock when he broke baseballs alltime total stolen base record. He once played all 9 positions in a minor league baseball game. He didn't play a full season as a Red. Any diehard Reds fans left out there?

Yet another clue..... In my last at bat in my career  I replaced a Reds HOFer in the 6th inning and was HBP by a pitcher who once pitched a no hitter for the Reds. I did not make the playoff roster for the Reds that year. I was a MLB coach and minor league manager before coming out of retirement and playing (as a roster player)for my old pal Sparky Anderson on the Reds. 

[Lark11]

Apr 7, 2014 15:41:42 GMT -5 rufralf said:

Apr 6, 2014 14:15:48 GMT -5 rufralf said:

Wow... A former Reds player died about 2 weeks ago and nothing was reported on his death. Sad. The person in question worked with Sparky Anderson and Bob Howsam before either one was associated with the Reds. He became the youngest  coach in MLB under Vern Rapp. He was head coach of a minor league baseball team at the tender age of 24. He was the first person to reach second base and congratulate Lou Brock when he broke baseballs alltime total stolen base record. He once played all 9 positions in a minor league baseball game. He didn't play a full season as a Red. Any diehard Reds fans left out there?

Yet another clue..... In my last at bat in my career  I replaced a Reds HOFer in the 6th inning and was HBP by a pitcher who once pitched a no hitter for the Reds. I did not make the playoff roster for the Reds that year. I was a MLB coach and minor league manager before coming out of retirement and playing (as a roster player)for my old pal Sparky Anderson on the Reds. 

Well, I googled it and this is a very tough one, given that he only logged 21 games at the MLB level. 19 games for the Padres in 1969 and 2 for the Reds in 1972. This is kind of a "you know or you don't" question, unfortunately hints probably aren't going to lead to the right answer in the case of a lesser known player.

But, if MexicanRed were around, he might know it. He seems to be our resident trivia expert.

[dukecrunchybagel]

I'm stumped. I can't think of a Roberto who played on the early BRM team.

[psuhistory]

I always wished Roberto Clemente played for us. Best I can do...

[dukecrunchybagel]

Or Roberto Alomar...

Unfortunately the best we ever did was Roberto Kelley, who is definitely not the answer to this question.

[rufralf]

Person in question was Sonny Ruberto. HOFer he replaced in last at bat was Johnny bench. Ex Red who hit him in his last at bat was George Culver. Sonny spent a lot of time playing in minor leagues at Indianapolis where he is credited with catching and coaching a lot of Reds rookie pitchers in the early and mid 70's who eventually became members of the Big Red Machine. Sadly died on March 25, 2014 with little or no notice from Reds fans. RIP sonny.

[psuhistory]

Yeah, his name is familiar, but I have no memory of him as a player; good question. It seems uncharacteristic that the Reds didn't publish something somewhere in his memory. He was only 68 years old...