Former Kansas City Royals Pitcher Paul Splittorff Dies of Melanoma at 64
Paul Splittorff, who won more games than any pitcher in Kansas City Royals history, died today due to complications from melanoma. He was 64.
Splittorff passed away at the family home in Blue Springs, Missouri, the Royals said in a statement. The team said last week that Splittorff had been hospitalized for treatment of oral cancer and melanoma, a form of skin cancer.
Splittorff spent his 15-year Major League Baseball career with the Royals, compiling a 166-143 record with a 3.71 earned run average from 1970-84. The left-hander was 2-0 with a 2.68 ERA pitched in four American League Championship Series, all against the New York Yankees.
Splittorff worked as a television color commentator for the Royals after his playing career. He was inducted into the team’s Hall of Fame in 1987.
Funeral arrangements are pending, the Royals said.
To contact the reporter on this story: Erik Matuszewski in New York at matuszewski@bloomberg.net
To contact the editor responsible for this story: Michael Sillup at msillup@bloomberg.net
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