Former Cincinnati Reds outfielder Ed Armbrister, best known for his controversial bunt during Game 3 of the 1975 World Series, has passed away of complications of diabetes. He was 72.
Armbrister, who is one of only six MLB players to hail from The Bahamas, was signed by the Houston Astros prior to the 1967 season. Following the 1971 season, Armbrister was part of the eight player deal which brought future Hall of Famer Joe Morgan to the Reds. Armbrister would make his big league debut late in the 1973 season. However, playing time would be scarce for Armbrister given the emergence of both Ken Griffey and George Foster. In parts of five seasons with the Reds, Armbrister only played 224 games collecting 65 hits although he would earn World Series rings in both 1975 and 1976.
But Armbrister would get his 15 minutes of fame on baseball's biggest stage. Armbrister was sent up to pinch hit for Rawley Eastwick in the bottom of 10th inning facing Boston Red Sox reliever Jim Willoughby. With Cesar Geronimo on first base, Armbrister drew a bunt but would collide with Boston Red Sox catcher Carlton Fisk. The collision forced Fisk to throw the ball into centerfield which enabled Geronimo to reach third.
Fisk and Red Sox manager Darrell Johnson protested that Armbrister had interfered. But home plate umpire Larry Barnett wouldn't change the call. Later in the inning, Morgan hit a walk off single off Roger Moret to give the Reds a 2-1 lead in the Series. The Reds would, of course, win the '75 Fall Classic in seven games. While many focus on Game 6 there are those who believe the Red Sox would have won the World Series had Armbrister been called out for interference.
Armbrister's big league career would end in 1977 although he would play Triple-AAA ball in the Reds organization in 1978 and also played in the Mexican League during the 1979 and 1980 seasons before returning to The Bahamas where he would promote baseball when he wasn't working at casinos and later in the civil service.
Ed Armbrister did not have a long big league career. But he did have a memorable one. R.I.P.
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