Ex-Cardinals star dies days after ceremonial Game 7 pitch
Former Cardinal Bob Forsch throws out the ceremonial first pitch before Game 7 of the World Series in St. Louis on October 28.
November 4th, 2011
03:37 PM ET

Ex-Cardinals star dies days after ceremonial Game 7 pitch

Bob Forsch, the only St. Louis Cardinal to throw two no-hitters and the third-winningest Cardinal pitcher ever, died Thursday after collapsing in his Florida home, the team and MLB.com reported.

Forsch’s death came six days after the 61-year-old threw the ceremonial first pitch at the seventh and deciding game of the World Series in St. Louis. The Cardinals won their 11th championship that night, defeating the Texas Rangers 6-2.

"Having been with Bob just last week, we are all stunned by this news," Cardinals chairman Bill DeWitt Jr. said in a Cardinals news release.

“Bob was one of the best pitchers in the history of our organization and a valued member of the Cardinals family," DeWitt said.

Forsch’s wife said that early indications were that he had suffered an aneurysm in his chest, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported.

He most recently was a pitching coach with the Billings (Montana) Mustangs, the Rookie League affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds.

Forsch compiled a 168-136 record and a 3.76 earned-run average in 16 Major League Baseball seasons, from 1974 to 1989. He played all but his final year in St. Louis, ending his career with the Houston Astros.

He won a World Series with the Cardinals in 1982.

His no-hitters came against the Philadelphia Phillies in 1978 and the Montreal Expos in 1983. He was one of only 28 pitchers to have more than one no-hitter, according to the Cardinals.

The Billings Gazette reported that Forsch was out of baseball for 20 years until the Reds gave him the coaching job in the Montana city in 2009.

“I always told myself that I’d get back into it,” Forsch told the Gazette in 2010. “I planned to take a couple years off and then get back into baseball, but I found out that summers are really nice to spend with the family. My kids grew and went their own way, and I was home watching baseball and I thought, ‘I think it’s time.’ ”

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soundoff (44 Responses)
  1. Keyser

    Bye. Bob. 🙁

    November 4, 2011 at 4:40 pm | Report abuse |
    • Factors

      Guess he struck out, huh?

      November 4, 2011 at 5:46 pm | Report abuse |
    • Boop Beep Bap Blip

      shut up

      November 4, 2011 at 10:50 pm | Report abuse |
  2. Really Jersey

    A fine pitcher. I remember that "78" game, it was a fantastic exhibition of baseball. I applauded him, even though I was a Phillies fan. I hear they have a great team where he's gone to. Playing with the Angels. My respect & condolences to his family, may he rest in peace.

    November 4, 2011 at 4:42 pm | Report abuse |
  3. Ute Man 2010

    Very sad news, glad he was able to make the game 7 and see some old friends doing what he loved.

    November 4, 2011 at 4:43 pm | Report abuse |
  4. Mark

    How sad. Rest in peace, Bob.

    November 4, 2011 at 4:43 pm | Report abuse |
  5. STLRose

    Condolences to the family and friends of Bob Forsch. He was a phenomenal pitcher and a class act. Our dear St. Louis Cardinals have a legendarily loved and respected history due to players like him and their impact both on and off the field. Bittersweet news on the heels of this magical post season. Cardinal Nation mourns with you.

    November 4, 2011 at 4:46 pm | Report abuse |
  6. The Drew Roberts Show

    I am an Angels fan from back in the day when Bob's brother, Ken, was pitching for the Halos. My condolenses to the Forsch family and to the Cardinals.

    November 4, 2011 at 4:52 pm | Report abuse |
  7. justme

    thanks for the memories and i'm a cub fan but mostly a baseball fan

    November 4, 2011 at 4:54 pm | Report abuse |
  8. Cardinal Fan 4 Life

    Rest in Peace Bob! You will truely be missed!!!

    November 4, 2011 at 5:25 pm | Report abuse |
  9. cpc65

    Another baseball great (from before the days of steroids, HGH etc.) joins the MLB team in the sky. Thank you for contributing towards making a great game even better. RIP.

    November 4, 2011 at 5:36 pm | Report abuse |
  10. John

    Your mother must be so proud.

    November 4, 2011 at 5:40 pm | Report abuse |
  11. scranton

    Geesh that's too bad. Condolences to his family what a shocker.

    November 4, 2011 at 5:41 pm | Report abuse |
  12. Three Dog Mama

    Thank you for your contribution to the game. I'm glad that he got to see his Cardinals win the Series!

    November 4, 2011 at 5:47 pm | Report abuse |
  13. banasy©

    Condolences to his familiy and friends.

    November 4, 2011 at 5:51 pm | Report abuse |
  14. 2BLBJJ

    God Speed Bob.

    If you're gonna' leave this world (which we all will, eventually), leave it doing something you love.

    November 4, 2011 at 5:57 pm | Report abuse |
    • I'm going to outlive you

      I won't ever die.

      November 4, 2011 at 10:54 pm | Report abuse |
  15. TPF

    Sometimes if you can't say something intelligent or demeaning to be funny, then just don't say anything.
    Condolences to all his family and friends.

    November 4, 2011 at 5:59 pm | Report abuse |
    • Playjojo

      To often the comments are sadder than the articles, because some people refuse to grow up. My condolences to all. But as someone pointed out earlier, how lovely that he was able to reunite with some old friends, and have the honor of first pitch:)

      November 4, 2011 at 6:10 pm | Report abuse |
    • TriXen

      Ditto, and that's coming from a Rangers fan.

      November 4, 2011 at 8:26 pm | Report abuse |
    • I'm going to outlive you

      TPF: Quit being such a beeitch.

      November 4, 2011 at 10:55 pm | Report abuse |
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