Former Padres All-Star Chris Cannizzaro Dies at Age 78

Former San Diego Padres catcherChris Cannizzarowho was the organization's first All-Star in the 1969 seasondied Thursday night, according to Kirk Kenney of the San Diego Union-Tribune.He hadlung cancerand chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)."He taught me a lot about pitching and how to be a professional baseball player,"pitcherRandy Jones,Cannizzaro'sformer teammate, told Kenney. "He was hard-nosed, old-school. He fit me perfectly, to tell you the truth."Jones added:He wasnt afraid to take charge. Like young (pitchers)could be stubborn, might say, My curveballs my best pitch. Hed say, Well, you better learn how to use the fastball. Chris Cannizzaro would make you learn how to use it, and hedstay on you. Hed push you. Thats old school, and you needed that. I always enjoyed that. He loved to compete and play.Cannizzaro was a .235 career hitter in a13-year career that included stints with the St. Louis Cardinals, New York Mets, Pittsburgh Pirates, Padres, Chicago Cubs and Los Angeles Dodgers. He was an original member of the 1962 Mets and was "regarded as a hard-nosed defensive catcher with a strong arm," per Kenney.In the 1969 All-Star Game, the National League needed a catcher to serve as Johnny Bench's backup.Cannizzarowhowas batting .245 with two homers and 23 RBIat the timegot the nod, although he didn't see the field."I was hoping I would get to play, but it was a thrill just to be on the team," Cannizzaro said at the time, per Kenney. "It was something I'll never forget."After his playing career, Cannizzaro decided to coach. He was the Atlanta Braves bullpen coach from1976-78. He also coached in the minor leagues and at the high school and college levels.
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