Paul Blair has passed away.

[Brian Van Horn]

I was watching the 1971 World Series game 7 this evening on Youtube and saw Merv Rettenmund in centerfield for the Orioles and thought of Paul Blair. Then within an hour of watching the game, I saw this on ESPN's website:

http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/10...at-dies-age-69

[grainsley]

Damn good ballplayer. I would take him on my team any time.

[Lgarza99]

Great ball player. RIP Paul!

[Sean]

Blair was a great defensive centerfielder. He played very shallow, and could go back on a fly ball as well as any CF I've ever seen.

[Bocabirdman]

I remember seeing him hit a triple over the head of Amos Otis. After the game, Earl Weaver was asked if he thought Otis should have caught the ball to which Earl replied, "Only one man in Baseball could have caught it and he was busy sliding into third. I swear I saw him start to pick a route to do just that as he rounded second.".

Adam Jones is great but Paul was the best I ever saw...... R.I.P. Mr. Blair.

[Rich Klein]

Blair, Mike Hegan and Ed Herrmann

Rich

[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..

[kcohen]

Best center fielder I ever saw. May he rest in peace.

[HRBAKER]

I always thought he and Curt Flood were incredibly gifted CFers in the post-Mays era. RIP Paul.

[oldjudge]

Once shared a cab with him leaving an airport (don't remember which one). I do remember, however, that he was a very nice person. RIP Paul.

[ethicsprof]

my condolences to family, friends, fans

Barry

[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!

[joeadcock]

Originally Posted by ethicsprof

my condolences to family, friends, fans

Barry

Agreed.
I remember seeing him on TV as a kid. Remember the Orioles team from that time with Palmer, Belanger, etc.
Never anything negative I heard

I sincerely hope he walks on road paved by God.