We are sad to report the death of baseball lifer and a good friend of Fans for the Cure, Ruben Amaro Sr. The Phillies announced that he had passed away this month at a Florida nursing home at the age of 81.
As a player, Ruben was best known for playing shortstop on the infamous Phillies of 1964. The Phils blew a 6½ game lead to the Cardinals with just ten games remaining, but Amaro’s fine season in the field was recognized with the Gold Glove Award. His eleven-year career also included stops with the Cardinals, Yankees, and California Angels.
Ruben worked for the Phillies in several capacities after he retired as an active player. As a scout, he aided the team in identifying and signing many of its Latino stars, one of whom was Julio Franco. Ruben also served as first base coach under Dallas Green for the Phillies team that won the 1980 World Series.
Three of Ruben’s sons played professional baseball, with his son Ruben Jr. rising to the position of general manager of the Phillies for over ten years before becoming the current first base coach of the Boston Red Sox.
Ruben was most helpful to our charity on many occasions in our early days and was named to FFTC’s Legends for Life Board six years ago. We offer our sincere condolences to his wife Lilia, his four sons, his daughter, his entire extended family, and his many friends within the baseball community.
