RIP Virgil Trucks
 

I'm sorry to say that the oldest living Tiger, Virgil Trucks passed away on Saturday in a hospital near his home in Alabama, just a couple months shy of his 96th birthday.

"Fire" Trucks threw two no-hitters in 1952, his 1st against the Washington Senators on 5/15/52 at DET, and his 2nd on 8/25/52 at NYY.

Mr.Trucks was truly a class act and will be missed. RIP Virgil!

Thanks for sharing Scott. Seemed like a great guy.

+1

Strangest thing about that '52 season was he only won 5 games, lost 19 and 2 were no-no's. His ERA was only 3.97. He was tough on my Yankees over the years.

RIP "Fire"!

He will be missed. A real gentleman.

Trucks truly enjoyed meeting and talking with baseball fans as well. I had met him as a college student about 20 years ago and chatted with him for a while, and ended up writing an article in my college newspaper about how players from the 1950s felt about the modern players. (Trucks was never shy to express his thoughts about the arrogant modern players who ignored players from earlier eras.) I shared the article with him, and we ended up corresponding off and on for many years, up until last year.

His handwriting had gotten tougher in the past few years, but I know he enjoyed taking the time to sign autographs and write notes to fans who asked for autographs. He said if people would take the time to write to him, then he owed it to take the time to write back.

Trucks wrote a book and sent me a copy a couple of years ago - if anyone is looking for a good read on some cool stories from baseball in the 1950s, see if you can pick one up.

We lost a true gentleman and a real class act. RIP to Mr. Trucks.....

. . . and then there were three
 

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Very sad news. Mr. Trucks was truly a class act.

And that leaves only three remaining members of the 1945 Detroit Tigers World Champion team; Ed Mierkowicz, Milton Welch, and Billy Pierce.

As generous a signer as there has ever been. RIP Mr. Trucks.

Virgil was one of my favorites, one of my earliest that I remember. Here is a couple of articles from a 1945 scrap book, Tigers Pennant chase, when Virgil rejoined them shortly after getting out of a Naval Hospital. Then getting the start for the first game of a doubleheader, on the last day of the season, Tigers needed one win to clinch pennant.Attachment 93618