Friday, June 22, 2012

Unpossible Autograph Friday- Dave Pope, Oriole #62


I've been attempting to countdown the "unpossible" Orioles autographs in reverse order of their debuts, at least when no former O's pass away within that week, but I got a bit out of order two weeks ago when I profiled Oriole #41, Gene Woodling, a few weeks too early. Oh well, no big deal, but had to call myself out on it. So up this week I'm getting back on track with Oriole #62, Dave Pope.


Dave played in the Major Leagues between 1952-56 with the Indians and Orioles. He made his Baltimore debut on June 15, 1955, becoming the 62nd player to appear in a game for the O's. He spent parts of the 1955 & '56 seasons with the O's, having been traded to the O's from the Indians in mid-1955 and was sent back to the Indians during the 1956 season.

Prior to Dave's time in the Majors, he played one season in the Negro Leagues. His brother, Willie Pope, also played in the Negro Leagues and seemingly had a distinguished career there. 


Dave also served in the Army during World War II prior to his time as a professional baseball player.

He passed away in 1999 from complications of leukemia and was 78 at the time of his passing. RIP Dave.


To briefly explain the misspelled/made up title of these weekly posts: Every Friday, I profile a former Oriole who has passed away. I've substituted the word unpossible for impossible as an homage to a line from "The Simpsons". Young Ralph Wiggum, who is not very smart, says "Me fail English? That's unpossible." 

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