OT - Don Wilson
 

I was just reading about Don Wilson, pitcher for the Astros who died at the age of 29 in 1975. I was born a few years after he passed, but in reading about him...he seemed like a pretty darn good pitcher. His death seems somewhat mysterious. Does anyone know the official or unofficial story behind his death? I got this from Wikipedia:

"On January 5, 1975, Wilson died at his Fondren Southwest Houston home he shared with his wife, daughter and son. Wilson was found in the passenger seat of his brown Ford Thunderbird inside the garage with the engine running. The garage was attached to the house, which caused his son, Alex, to die also and his daughter and wife be hospitalized in a coma. The official cause of death states that Wilson's death was accidental."

Sorry for such a bleak post, but I was just curious.

Rob

PS - Sorry for the off-topic post on the Pre-War side!!

I think he pitched a couple of no-hitters, if I remember correctly.

He did indeed throw 2 no-no's. He threw the first no hitter in a domed/astro-turf stadium. He had a power arm and had very good stats up until his untimely death. As a student of baseball history I was a little surprised in myself that I haven't heard much about him. I didn’t even realize his number was retired by the Astros.

Funny you bring this name up
 

I recently purchased a 1971 signed N.L. all star team ball and as I was researching the careers of the players who signed, he was one of them. I was shocked to learn he died I believe before his 30th birthday. Sad story.

The Don Wilson death
 

*IS* one of the great mysteries of baseball necrology. No one will ever know if it was a tragic accident

An attempt to kill his wife and kids and he did not get out of the garage in time

Something faulty in the house

Something caused by a family disturbance which ended up with this tragic twist

Needless to say; I have heard all four of these scenarios and no one really knows what occured that night except for those who perished.

Rich

Great topic,

Over the decades, Ive been to many suicide scenes. We all agreed, this method by far, appears to be the best choice. Of course NOT in an attached garage!


Bill Bergen's brother was also a terrific catcher for the Beaneaters, but quite troubled. man;

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marty_Bergen_(baseball)

I have heard that he was intoxicated that night and simply passed out at the wheel of his still-running car when he parked it in the garage. This seems to be the most viable scenario.

Steve - Thanks for sharing regarding Bergen. I have always been somewhat fascinated with the games more eccentric and troubled characters. That is kind of what led me to becoming a Rube Waddell fan.

If it was the case that Wilson was intoxicated and the car was running, then that is truly tragic.

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Another Astro pitcher who suffered from mental illness and had a tragic life after baseball was J. Rodney Richard. Does anyone remember what happened to him?

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That overpass story is exactly the one I remembered too.