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Vern Ruhle: 1951-2007
2007-01-21 10:22
by Bob Timmermann

Vern Ruhle, most recently the pitching coach for the Cincinnati Reds, passed away in Houston Saturday at age 55 because of complications from multiple myeloma, according to ESPN.

Ruhle pitched in 13 seasons in the majors and his best years were with the Astros, for whom he started two playoff games (1980 and 1981). Ruhle also pitched in the 1986 ALCS for the Angels.

Comments
2007-01-21 13:45:06
1.   Linkmeister
I remember Ruhle as a pretty darned good pitcher, at least against the Dodgers.

Another intimation of my own mortality. When former athletes who're younger than I am die of "natural causes" I start twitching.

2007-01-21 13:49:09
2.   Bob Timmermann
Would you be surprised to find out that in his career, Ruhle was 1-10 against the Dodgers with an ERA of 3.93?
2007-01-21 14:26:07
3.   twerp
1. I don't get the "natural causes" reference. Multiple myeloma is a rare form of cancer which claimed my own father.

I'm not taking offense, but if your point is that cancer is a natural cause, it might be a tough case to make.

2007-01-21 14:43:02
4.   Eric L
Cancer, for better or worse, is a natural cause. I know it doesn't make sense, because cancer seems like something that isn't natural.

Pretty much anything that happens in your own body that kills you is a natural cause.

2007-01-21 14:59:23
5.   Bob Timmermann
Yeah, I think 2 was referring to someone dying at a relatively young age and not having it be something like a car accident.
2007-01-21 15:35:26
6.   twerp
4 I'm not looking to argue and am done with this after this comment.

But it's been proven that many cancers have external causes, or at least are externally influenced or triggered. Smoking has led to many, many cases of lung cancer. Different environmental factors have been linked to various types of other cancers.

In the past smallpox has been a major worldwide killer as have bubonic plague and Spanish Flu, among other diseases. Infection and complications from disease happen inside the body, but diseases are hardly natural causes.

So in that sense things in "your own body that kill you" which came in from outside really couldn't be said to be from natural causes.

Granted, there's a whole lot unknown about cancer, including the specific cause of multiple myeloma.

I now officially lighten up. Probably about time.

2007-01-21 16:20:45
7.   Andrew Shimmin
Natural causes is a coroner's accounting term. The causal options are natural, accidental, suicide, homicide, unknown, or pending.
2007-01-21 21:15:49
8.   Linkmeister
That lifetime record surprises me. I'd have sworn he pitched well against us.
2007-01-21 21:50:57
9.   das411
Sad. Ruhle was the target of oh-so-many shoutings at the tv during his time in Phila, but seeing someone like him gone so young really puts things in perspective, doesn't it?

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