In the Last Week, Several MLB Legends Passed

BALTIMORE -- Steve Barber, the first 20-game winner in modern Baltimore Orioles history and the losing pitcher in one of baseball's wildest no-hitters, has died. He was 67.

Barber became ill last week and died from complications of pneumonia Sunday at a hospital in Henderson, Nev., the Orioles said Monday.

A two-time All-Star and a member of the Orioles' Hall of Fame, Barber was 121-106 with a 3.36 ERA from 1960-74. The lefty spent the first half of his career with the Orioles and was traded to the New York Yankees in July 1967. He later pitched for the Seattle Pilots, the Chicago Cubs, the Atlanta Braves, the California Angels and the San Francisco Giants.

Barber's best year was 1963, when he went 20-13 with a 2.75 ERA. On a franchise that became known for its pitching, Barber was the first Baltimore player in the modern era to win 20 games.

DUNELLON, Fla. -- Max Lanier, who pitched in three consecutive World Series for the St. Louis Cardinals during World War II, has died. He was 91.

He died last Tuesday and was buried with a Cardinals cap last weekend, son Hal Lanier, a former major league infielder, said Monday.

"My dad was very tough when he put in his uniform and went on the mound," Hal Lanier said. "Whoever he was facing."

Born Hubert Lanier in Denton, N.C., Max Lanier spent 12 seasons with the Cardinals between 1938 and 1951, pitching in the 1942, 1943 and 1944 World Series, posting a 2-1 record in seven games. The Cardinals beat the New York Yankees in 1942, lost a rematch the following year and beat the St. Louis Browns in 1944.

He led the National League with a 1.90 ERA in 1943. He had a career record of 108-82, including stints with the New York Giants and the Browns in 1952 and 1953. He later managed in the minor leagues.

WINTER GARDEN, Fla. -- Lew Burdette, MVP of the 1957 World Series when he pitched the Milwaukee Braves to their only championship, died Tuesday. He was 80.

Burdette had been ill for an extended period with lung cancer. Family members were with him when he died at home, they told the Atlanta Braves.

A two-time All-Star and a member of the Braves' Hall of Fame, Burdette was 203-144 with a 3.66 ERA from 1950-67. He also pitched a no-hitter.

Burdette's greatest success came in the 1957 Series when he went 3-0 with an 0.67 ERA while pitching three complete games against the New York Yankees. He capped his performance with a seven-hit shutout in Game 7 at Yankee Stadium, finishing off a run of 24 straight scoreless innings.