A hustling everyday second baseman with four ML teams, Mississippi’s “Corinth Comet” was a spray hitter and skillful bunter. As a rookie with St. Louis in 1956, he had 587 at-bats without once homering. He had eight HR the next year, but after that never hit more than two. Four times he spoiled no-hitters, twice in August 1963. “The Blazer” was particularly fast getting down the line, hitting into fewer double plays (one in every 123 at-bats) than anyone in history except Don Buford. In 1960, he married the daughter of catcher Walker Cooper, a 1956-57 teammate. Blasingame later played, coached, and managed in Japan.
