Longtime Brewers catcher and outfielder Charlie Moore passed away on Saturday at age 72, as per a media release from the team. Moore spent 14 of his 15 Major League seasons in a Milwaukee uniform, spending only his 15th and final season with the Blue Jays in 1987.
Beginning his big league career in 1973, Moore spent his first few seasons backing up Darrell Porter at the catcher position while also getting a good chunk of playing time as a corner outfielder. Porter was traded to the Royals after the 1976 campaign, which opened up more time behind the plate for Moore over the next five seasons. The Brewers then moved Moore into more or less an everyday right field role from 1982-84 before he returned to regular catching duty in his final three seasons.
It was something of an unusual career arc for a catcher, yet Moore was a good athlete who held his own defensively as a right fielder. Reggie Jackson learned this the hard way during Game 5 of the 1982 ALCS, when Moore threw out Jackson at third base when the superstar was trying to go from first to third on a Fred Lynn single. Jackson’s Angels held a 3-2 lead at that point in the do-or-die Game 5, and Moore’s big play was a key moment as Milwaukee went on to a 4-3 victory.
The 1982 squad is still the only Brewers team to reach the World Series, falling just short to the Cardinals in a seven-game Fall Classic. Moore was a huge part of Milwaukee’s playoff run, hitting .385/.429/.462 over 44 plate appearances during that postseason.
Moore finished his career with 36 homers and a .261/.319/.355 slash line over 4483 PA and 1334 career games. He also had 51 career stolen bases, with two of them coming on October 1, 1980 when Moore also hit for the cycle. That huge all-around day made Moore the first player in modern baseball history to both hit for a cycle and steal two bases in the same game. In another historical note for Moore, the last of Henry Aaron‘s MLB record 2297 RBIs was recorded when Aaron singled to drive in Moore from third base on the final day of the 1976 season.
We at MLB Trade Rumors send our condolences to Moore’s family, friends, and many fans.
I remember Charlie well from those Brewers teams. Too young these days. RIP. Condolences to his family and friends.
Me too. RIP Charlie. Was very reliable.
Charlie throwing out Reggie in Game 5 1982 ALCS
youtube.com/watch?v=w4sUPspVhig
Thanks for posting the play.
It was the first WS I could not watch live as I was in the USAF in Kunsan AB. At the time, I considered Charlie Moore the weak link on that Wallbanger team. Now, I see that bothe he and Jim Gantner’s defense was every bit as important as a player such as Ben Oglivie’s hitting prowess.
That throw gets me, cause its such a dart to Molitor. An absolutely perfect throw. In the post season, that has to be in the All time top ten of OF throws; take in situation, what’s on the line. Has to be in the top ten.
One of Harvey’s Wallbangers.
Grew up with him. He is one year older than me. God Bless you Charlie!
Charlie is the subject of one of my fondest memories. I had him as my starting catcher (over Marc Hill) in an APBA mail league in 1977. He hit a robust .188 for me that season. But my team still went to the championships. Game 7, Charlie hits a bottom-of-the-ninth grand slam off Al Hrabosky for a come-from behind 9-7 victory.
APBA rocked and so did Charlie Moore. RIP Charlie.
Still does
Every team needs a “Charlie Moore” player. One of Harvey Wallbangers’ unheralded contributors.
What a career he had! He made a ton of history and was a great ballplayer and Brewers legend.
Rest in peace.
Godspeed Charlie
R.I.P. Charlie
Your big play in the 1982 ALCS will forever be immortalized.
Loved going to old county stadium to see late 70- early 80 Brew Crew… Still best tailgating stadium I’ve ever been to… Charlie was a fan favorite… Rip Mr Moore and God Bless…
RIP
Homered in his first game as a Blue Jay. A two run shot in the bottom of the eighth to tie the game that Toronto would win in extras.
In the Brewers Wall of Honor.
RIP Charlie Moore.
Really interesting pieces of information on there. Really good write up.
RIP Mr. Moore. Glad you lived your dream.
Charlie Moore was a class act. Solid ball player and a very nice man. A true credit to the game. Thanks for the memories Charlie
Was on Nesn tv show the Mad Fisherman with Charlie Moore from Winthrop Ma.Nesns Charlie Moore stated he always wanted him to appear on the show with him .Episode was quite good and the MLB Moore was very personable.Classy move by the Mad Fisherman.
In 1983 I was 10 and my dad worked at Jim Click Ford in Irvine, CA which is about 15 minutes from Angel Stadium.
In April of that year Charlie Moore came to that dealership to get a loaner car for the three days they were in town. My dad helped him pick a car and in return Charlie gave him 4 tickets for each game of the series. The seats were in the Brewers family seating area.
In addition, during the first game, someone brought me a signed ball by the whole team, a few other souvenirs and sent a note saying he hoped we had a good time.
Class act. Sad to see he passed.