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Jodi BirkholmDon managed to beat cancer when in his 80's (I believe it was prostate cancer). He was a nice fellow; very old-fashioned and polite when it came to honoring any autograph request.
To me it is very funny how most of the 1950's-60's White Sox coaches (plus manager Lopez) all lived into advanced old age. They were all very nice men. Ray Berres was a true friend and a wonderful man. I got to know Mr. and Mrs. Tony Cuccinello and Gutteridge, but not as well as I did Ray. I'm still kicking myself for not going down to see Lopez and Cuccinello (who were lifelong friends and lived on the same street in Tampa). I had an open invitation, but always felt like I did not want to bother Lopez due to his fondness of personal privacy. Add to that the fact that Cooch was in failing health--I just thought my visits would be an imposition. Now, of course, I wish I had pursued it. Same goes with Ted Williams.