Former Yankees Catcher, All-Star Prospect, Dies: ‘I Knew I Was Setting History’

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - APRIL 29: A view of the New York Yankees logo on a ball bag before the game against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on April 29, 2025 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images)

Getty Images

As one of the oldest and most consistently competitive franchises in baseball history, the New York Yankees have had plenty of notable alumni over the years.

Through features like Monument Park and events like Old-Timers’ Day, the organization regularly honors its previous players. And in tributes to some of those players who have passed this year, fans have had the chance to remember World Series pitcher Zack Monroe, standout reliever Wayne Granger and others.

On Sunday, news surfaced that former Yankees catcher Billy Bryan has joined that list, dying at age 87 earlier in the week.

“Billy's athletic talent was evident from an early age. Following high school, he proudly served as a member of the Air Force Honor Guard in Washington DC, where he also competed on both the basketball and baseball teams,” according to an obituary. “His exceptional skill on the diamond earned him a professional contract as a catcher in the MLB farm system, and in 1960 he realized the dream of every young ballplayer — reaching the major leagues. Billy went on to play for the Kansas City Athletics (1960-1966), the New York Yankees (1966-1967), and the Washington Senators (1968), leaving a legacy on the field that few can claim.”

MORE FROM FORBESBrewers Boss Sends 5-Word Red Sox Willson Contreras Message After Spikes-Up SlideBy Peter Chawaga

New York Yankees Former Catcher Billy Bryan Dies At Age 87

Before joining the Yankees, Bryan was a standout prospect for the American League’s Kansas City Athletics organization. He earned a Class B Northwest League All-Star nod in 1961 for a campaign that saw him slug 25 home runs and 85 RBI.

He became a semi-regular catcher for the Athletics shortly after and played for five seasons with the team before joining the Yankees.

Bryan was a member of the Yankees for two seasons, posting a .210/.297/.420 slash line while playing in just 43 games in that span. The team had losing records in both of those seasons and Bryan moved on to the Senators for one more campaign before ending his professional career.

After hanging up his spikes, Bryan served as a member of the Army National Guard for two decades. And he was married for more than 60 years, raising three daughters and becoming a grandfather to five.

“Billy Bryan lived with purpose, served with honor, and loved without reservation,” his obituary reads. “He will be deeply missed.”

MORE FROM FORBESYankees’ Former ‘Cult Hero’ Joins Division Rival In New RoleBy Peter Chawaga

New York Yankees Catcher Was ‘Setting History’ In Satchel Paige’s Final MLB Start

Though some Yankees fans might remember Bryan for his brief stint in the 1960s, the baseball world will probably remember him best as a key member in a legendary final Major League Baseball start for Satchel Paige.

Paige, who was MLB’s oldest player ever at age 59 in 1965, made his last outing for the Athletics against the Boston Red Sox on September 25, 1965, with Bryan serving as his catcher.

"I thought it was an honor to get the start, because we had a couple of other catchers on the team,” Bryan told ESPN regarding that historic moment. “I knew I was setting history. I said, ‘Heck, a country boy like me part of history with a guy that played ball before I was born,' and I really enjoyed doing it."

This article was originally published on Forbes.com