PITTSBURGH (KDKA) Former Pittsburgh Pirates catcher Ed Ott has passed away.
The team announced the news on Sunday. He was 72 years old.
“We are deeply saddened by the loss of a beloved member of the Pirates family,” Pirates President Travis Williams said in a release from the team. “Ed spent seven of his eight years in the major leagues with the Pirates and was a valuable member of the 1979 World Series championship team. Last summer, he traveled to Pittsburgh to support former teammate Kent Tekub. I was really happy to meet him when he was at the Hall of Fame induction ceremony. ”
Ott was drafted by the Pirates in the 23rd round of the June 1970 amateur draft out of Muncie High School in Lycoming County. He made his major league debut four years later and won the World Series in 1979. He was traded from the Pirates to the California Angels in 1981. He retired in 1984.
Ott had 409 hits, 31 home runs, and 173 RBIs in seven seasons with Pittsburgh. His slash line was .267/.319/.383. He played 492 games for the Bucs.
After retiring from baseball, he served as a coach and manager in several farm systems, including Pittsburgh. He then spent time as a coach in the majors. Most recently, he served as the bullpen coach for the Detroit Tigers from 2001 to 2002.
He is survived by his wife Sue and daughter Michelle.
“Our deepest condolences go out to his wife Sue, daughter Michelle, and the entire Ott family,” the team said in a news release.