Amid the flickering fumes of funeral pyres, the wheel of time has struck again. For one Athletics legend, the journey came to a close at 80 years of age. Currently, the Oakland team is at the bottom of the league, struggling to stay on its feet. But once upon a time, it was at the height of its glory, boasting a talented roster with a beloved baseballer.

The recently demised MLB catcher Ken Suarez once held a true passion for baseball in the 1960s. It was his dream to play for Major League Baseball, which he did on and off for seven years. Besides the A’s, he also donned the uniforms of the Texas Rangers and Cleveland Indians. Decades have passed since he last held wore his protective catcher gear, but he is still remembered fondly.

Remembering Ken Suarez of the Oakland Athletics

According to a Texas funeral home, Suarez breathed his last in his hometown of Ft. Worth, Texas. He had suffered from Alzheimer’s for the previous three years, but lost the battle on July 29, 2023. Family, who lovingly called him Kenny or Piggy, surrounded him. Suarez’s lifelong journey, both on and off the field, was truly filled with inspiring and admirable stories.

Starting at Tampa Jesuit, the late athlete’s interests eventually took him to Florida State University. He played there for three years and even went to the College World Series in 1963. The Kansas City Athletics chose him the very next year as an amateur free agent, and he debuted in MLB three years later.

It was one of the last instances of players being selected before the MLB draft was implemented in 1965. Suarez played for the A’s until 1967, heading to Cleveland next. He did not play in the big leagues until 1970 and was traded to the Texas Rangers the following season.

Suarez gave one of the best performances of his career there and even had an increased playing time. But when he wanted a raise, the two parties needed help to reach a satisfactory agreement. This led to the former catcher becoming?“the first player in Rangers’ history to send a contract to arbitration,”?according to MLB Trade Rumors.

Understandably, the Texas team was frustrated and tried to give him back to Cleveland. But Suarez turned the tables around and chose to retire. Even so, he couldn’t give up his favorite sport entirely.

Suarez Was Active in the Baseball World Even After Retiring From the Sport

Retirement from any profession allows one to focus more on family and personal interests, and Suarez was no different. According to his obituary, he became closer to his kids and grandkids and was fond of gardening. He always followed his old healthy athlete’s lifestyle, which enabled him to fight through the worst days of Alzheimer’s.

But before he disconnected from his beloved baseball entirely, Suarez worked as a color commentator and as a scout for the Rangers. To the very end, he loved the sport to which he dedicated his life.

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May he rest in peace in baseball heaven now!

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