Former major league outfielder Wayne Comer passed away recently, per various reports. He was 79 years old.
Born and raised in Shenandoah, Virginia, Comer was signed as an amateur free agent by the Washington Senators in 1962 but was traded to the Tigers while still in the minor leagues. He made it to the majors as a September call-up in 1967, getting into four games as that season was winding down.
He was back in the minors to start the following year but got called up when Al Kaline broke his forearm in May. Comer got into 48 games that season, hitting just .125 but sticking around largely in a reserve capacity. The 1968 Tigers went 103-59 and cruised to the American League pennant, finishing 12 games ahead of the Orioles. They would go on to win the World Series in seven games over the Cardinals, with Comer getting one plate appearance. He served as a pinch hitter in Game 3, getting a single in what would eventually be his only postseason at-bat, allowing him to finish his career with a batting average of 1.000 in postseason/World Series play.
Prior to the 1969 season, Comer was selected in the expansion draft by the newly-formed Seattle Pilots, who would last just one season before moving to Milwaukee and becoming the Brewers. Comer got his most extensive playing time in that one year with the Pilots, getting into 147 games while hitting 15 home runs and stealing 18 bases.
The following year, he would move to Milwaukee with the team but was traded to the Senators after just 13 games as a Brewer. He played 77 games for the Senators in 1970, one of the final years for that club before they would later become the Texas Rangers. His contract was purchased by the Tigers prior to 1971 but he was stuck in the minors for all of that year and only got into 27 major league games in 1972, his final year in the big leagues.
After his playing career ended, Comer returned to Virginia and coached high school ball. MLBTR sends our condolences to his friends, family and loved ones.
Had some of his old baseball cards. RIP.
Five feet from where I’m sitting at work right now is a a poster of the 1968 World Champion Tigers, autographed by the then-living players and coaches at a team reunion. Wayne Comer is sitting between pitching coach Johnny Sain and outfielder Willie Horton. RIP, Wayne.
Hell Yeah brother….old enough to remember Comer and Tommy Matchick…two lesser known guys off the bench. Amazing team…40 comebacks in the 7th inning or beyond.
RIP Mr. Comer….
@Detroit guys
The book about the 1968 Tigers “The Last Real World Champions ” picked up at airport after the 2013 ALDS, is a massive favourite.
Have always wanted Mickey Lolich in the Hall as a consequence.
Great that you haven’t forgot one of the “smaller” pieces and remember Wayne Comer.
If I ever have the chance to drop a Tiger Moth into a swimming pool in their honour…
Peter in London
Wtf. Why would you drown a tiger moth to honor a baseball team?
Maybe when Bill Belichick dies someone will 9/11 London. You know because he coached the Patriots.
Because the ’68 Tigers on an away trip at a hotel dropped a replica Tiger Moth into a swimming pool. I can try & find the exact date, time etc.
Displacement, being what it is, caused somewhat of a flood to the immediate ground floor. Apparently Mayo Smith asked no questions and paid rhe damages…
Well fudge. That should be a more well-known story. I feel like mlb.com releases the same “interesting” stories every 3 years because their reporting team is garbage.
@BSBP
Honestly, it’s a wonderful and well worth $15 on a book. Author is George Cantor, the title “the Tigers of ’68 baseballs last real champions….
I’ll re-read it & come back to the plane in the pool.
Appreciate your point, I may have appeared crass, but I’m a great believer of getting the Mickey Lolich’s of this world (as an example) whilst they are alive into the Hall.
Otherwise it is pointless…
Take care
Peter in London
RIP, Mr. Comer.
Of course he was memorably portrayed by Jim Bouton in Ball Four. But he had many more sides to him than is revealed in the book. Rest In Peace.
That reminds me: I REALLY need to read “Ball Four,” again.
It’s been too long ….
I had the opportunity to interview Mickey Mantle not long after the book came out. I was a young, small town radio sports guy and of course I asked him about Ball Four. Mantle gave me a look of disgust with a response filled with disgust in his voice.
Knew him when he coached at Spotswood; really good guy.
He coached at Page when I was in school. Great man.
Nooo
I only recognize his name because he was mentioned prominently in Jim Boutons Ball Four and he did win a World Series ring in 1968 with tbe Tigers..not too shabby
May Wayne Rest in Peace
Very sad that he’s gone, but other than Brooksie I’ve never heard of any of these players who have passed recently.
I have heard of a few, but I never would have heard of WAYNE except for Ball Four
I like those Seattle Pilot hats.
Old York: If a company like New ERA started making Pilots and Expos caps, they’d sell like crazy. I lean toward the Pilots hat. They weren’t around very long.
royalretros.com/products/seattle-pilots-fitted-hat…
New Era does make Expos and Pilots caps still. You can go to hat club and find a nice pilots cap and several expos.
He had one good season in the bigs.
That’s 20 more seasons than I could even dream of.
Well done, sir!
Wayne Comer had a pretty nice season in 1969 as a Seattle Pilot. Not too many people can make that claim. Nicely done, sir!
RIP Wayne…..
Never heard of him
RIP
RIP, bud! You were part of (IMHO) the coolest baseball team EVER, so you will always have a place in my Baseball Heart.
In 1968, I was in the 6th grade and a friend of mine and I went to an Angels game when they were playing the Tigers. We got there early so we could watch BP. Afterward we wandered over to the end of the Tiger’s dugout, when out stepped Wayne Comer. My friend and I were the only two standing there, so he asked us how we were doing. He then stood there and talked with us for about 10 minutes. No one else, just us. We talked about that for a long time afterward. Still remember it. RIP Mr. Comer.
Among his many talents Wayne was the Tigers third string catcher. Lolich swore by him and wouldn’t let anyone else catch him in the pen.
Also was second in the league in outfield assists with 14 in 1969!
Rest in Peace Wayne.
Wayne is third in hits in Seattle Pilots history.
Good post, o g.
Sad
Once again….
And too too often recently,
My condolences to his family, his freinds, fans, the people and great Commonwealth of Virginia!
Sad very sad.
Is it a conspiracy?
He was part of my favorite team. RIP, Mr. Comer….