[DrMitchJ]

I heard today that 80 year old Horace Clarke passed away.  
He had a 10 year career from 65-74, but from 67-73  ‘Hoss’ was the Yankees’ starting 2nd baseman and switch-hitting #1 or #2 batter. He wasn’t a superstar, but he was good (batting .250-ish and stealing 20-30 bases a year) during a time that a second baseman was really there for his speed and defensive abilities.  I always liked him and often imitated his unique batting stance, which often irritated my Little League coaches.  
Acquiring Willie Randolph was a defensive and offensive step-up for the team and one of the early pieces of the puzzle that helped to build the Yankee Dynasty ... but it also took Horace Clarke away from being a regular starter, which also effectively ended his career. He was traded to the Padres during the 74 season and retired shortly thereafter. 

[zeprock]

I remember Horace Clarke. I can still picture his 1970 Topps card where he's down on one knee leaning on his bat with a batting helmet on and those huge teardrop eyeglasses.

R.I.P. Horace.

[Phillies_Joe]

Seems like every pack of cards I opened contained a Horace Clarke....why not a Rick Wise or a Deron Johnson once in a while...SOB was probably the nicest thing I called him at the time....Damn I loved him, why...I have no idea.... RIP Horace!

[DrMitchJ]

Seems like every pack of cards I opened contained a Horace Clarke....why not a Rick Wise or a Deron Johnson once in a while...SOB was probably the nicest thing I called him at the time....Damn I loved him, why...I have no idea.... RIP Horace!

Hiya Joe!
good to ‘see’ you.
yeah, Horace was a ‘lovable’ loser, like all the Yankees from 65-73. ‘Hoss’ as Phil Rizutto called him was a decent second baseman. Average hitter and managed to have a 10 year career with The Yankees during a time before Steinbrenner. I wish I kept getting his card like you, otherwise I wouldn’t have had to trade away all my Nolan Ryan & Tom Seaver Cards to get My Yankees from my school yard pals.

[bamyanks]

You brought up someone I'd forgotten. Horace was one of my few favorites from that era. RIP Horace.

[Phillies_Joe]

 Thanks to the legend (yes, I realize it's hard to call him a baseball legend) for a good childhood.

This is what the "hobby" is about....cards put a smile on our face (most of the time) and remember where we were and who we "hobbied" with.  Thanks for bringing up 'ol Horace!

[alfredoleal2001]

He is from before my time so I never heard of him.... started collecting in 86 and funny enough I know more 60's players than I do from the 70's

[Phillies_Joe]

Never heard of him.  Sad he died, but does anybody know the names of thousands of others that died last month?

I hate how we value certain lives above others, and yet it is nice when somebody recalls fond memories of those who may have impacted their lives.

Man, thread is from 2 1/2 years ago discussing someone who died that impacted the OP's life somehow.

[kerryandbeth]

I guess this head cold is worse than I thought.

[Latsanghambl]

Horace Clarke's XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX