Mark Littell Obituary, Funeral

Mark Alan Littell was a professional baseball player who pitched in the Major Leagues from 1973 to 1982 for the Kansas City Royals and St. Louis Cardinals. He was born on January 17, 1953 and died September 5, 2022 at age 69.

A Missouri native, Littell split his MLB career between the state’s two clubs.

Littell had a lifetime ERA of 3.32 and saved 56 games from 1976 to 1981.

Primarily a relief pitcher, Littell served at the Royals’ closer in 1976–1977, and is best remembered for giving up a walk-off home run to New York Yankees first baseman Chris Chambliss to end the 1976 American League Championship Series.

It was only the second home run he allowed in more than 100 innings pitched that year.

Two years later, the Royals dealt Littell, along with catcher Buck Martinez, to the Cardinals in exchange for relief pitcher Al Hrabosky.

On August 10, 1981, Pete Rose recorded his 3,631st hit off Littell to become the National League’s all-time hits leader.

Littell wrote three books centered on his professional career in baseball as a player and coach.

Details regarding his funeral will be available in due course.

Littell is survived by his wife Sanna.