Billy Loes Dies at 80

Billy Loes, former Brooklyn Dodgers hurler who appeared in three World Series (1952, 1953, and 1955), has died at the age of 80.

Loes, who compiled a 80-63 record in 11 seasons with the Brooklyn Dodgers, Baltimore Orioles, and San Francisco Giants, died in a hospice in Tucson, Arizona. He had been battling diabetes for several years.

He made headlines when he said the Yankees would win the 1952 World Series in six games. He was one game off as the Yankees won in seven games, but it was unusual for a player to predict that the other team would win the World Series.

Loes missed a chance to be the winning pitcher in what could have been a World Series clinching win for the Dodgers in the sixth game, but allowed the Yankees to take the win.

Vic Raschi gave up a single when a ball caromed off the leg of Loes. After the game, Loes said he had lost the ground ball in the sun. The Yankees went on to win the World Series in the next game.

Loes died on July 15, but The New York Times didn’t run the obituary until its July 27, 2010 edition.