Paul Blair has passed away.

[djrhanover]

I always marveled at Blair's defensive abilities. On a fly ball deep to center, Blair would go to a spot, camp under the ball, and make the catch, while others would still be running to the ball. He was far and away one of the best ever.

[iwantitiwinit]

Super nice guy met him at a random game in Balt 3 years ago he was visiting all the suites for some promotion. Talked to him for a few minutes and told him my favorite card of his was his 1967 topps, he agreed.

[Danny Smith]

Great guy and ball player. Even greater loss. May he rest in peace.

[LKeeler]

I remember in the early 80's stumbling across a used Wilson glove with the name Paul Blair inscribed in it. At that time I hadn't even heard of Blair, but the mitt fit perfectly so that is what counted to a 6 year old! Shortly after that my dad educated me on the fielding excellence that was Paul Blair. That glove stayed with me for years until I out grew it and advanced to an adult Johnny Antonelli model. Babe Ruth and Paul Blair. The first two baseball players that became entrenched in my mind!

[drmondobueno]

When I was a kid, I remember watching great defensive ballplayers, great gloves in the infield, speed and arms in the outfield. But nobody turned his back and blazed to the ball like Paul Blair. IMO, he beat the entire American League with his glove. It was the first time in my baseball life I remember thinking that a defensive ballplayer made a habit of breaking the other team. Palmer had to love this guy.

[Bocabirdman]

Originally Posted by drmondobueno

Palmer had to love this guy.

He did.

[CMIZ5290]

Fantastic player, always heard good things about him personally as well..

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by djrhanover

I always marveled at Blair's defensive abilities. On a fly ball deep to center, Blair would go to a spot, camp under the ball, and make the catch, while others would still be running to the ball. He was far and away one of the best ever.

That's what distinguishes the great center fielders, the ability to judge the ball off the bat. If you read Mays' description of "The Catch," that's exactly what he did -- as soon as he saw the ball off the bat, he just turned and ran to where he knew it was going. He supposedly said to Irvin jogging in, "had it all the way," and it's portrayed as humor, but it probably wasn't.

[Tobacco&Gum]

Mr. Blair was a frequent guest instructor at the baseball camp I attended during the mid 1980's. He was a kind man. May he rest in peace!