Pitcher Fred Gladding leaves the game at age 78

gladdingThe obituary ran this week. Fred Gladding, a wily reliever for the Tigers and Astros, gone at age 78.

The ever-dependable www.sportscollectors.net credited the hurler for a 97 percent response rate, answering more than 200 by-mail requests.

I landed Gladding when he was an Astro. He was willing to add a photo on request.

Never be shy about asking. Fred taught me that.

Check out an impressive video interview from Billy Staples with Gladding, conducted in 2013. See what we’re missing.

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