Former Cardinals player Ken Reitz has died at age 69.
The Cardinals posted this on their twitter:
“We are saddened over the recent passing of Cardinals infielder, Ken Reitz. Our thoughts are with Ken’s family and his many friends during this difficult time.”
Reitz played for the Cardinals from 1972-1975, moving on for one season in 1976 to the San Francisco Giants. He returned to the Cardinals 1977-1980. He also played for the Cubs and Pirates, but was best known as a Cardinal in the 1970’s.
The Reitz family issued a statement through his son Brett Reitz.
“On behalf of my dad and my family I’d like to thank the Cardinals organization for allowing my father to live out his dream. Also Cardinals fans for the endless support over the years. The only thing my dad loved as much as his family was baseball. He ate, slept, and breathed baseball and truly loved the city of St. Louis and the Cardinals. The loss of “Grandpa Kenny”, as his six grandkids called him, is heartbreaking. He will be truly missed. Thanks.” — Brett Reitz
Reitz was a right-handed hitter won a Gold Glove in 1975 and was an All-Star in 1980.
Frank Cusumano said it best in a tribute on Facebook: “Just want to say Ken Reitz was a great guy. He was one of the few people who always had super strong opinions but never delivered them in a nasty way. He had time for everybody who approached him. And man could he hit golf ball too. We lost a good one.”
