Royals and Cardinals pitcher Mark Littell, who spent nine seasons in the big leagues, died earlier in the week (Sept. 5) at 69 following a heart surgery.
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Littell pitched in the Major Leagues from 1973 to 1982 for the Kansas City Royals and St. Louis Cardinals and achieved a lifetime ERA of 3.32 and saved 56 games from 1976 to 1981. However, Mark Littell retired early.
Why did mark Littell retire? Littell retired due to bone spurs in his elbow. He retired midway through the 1982 season at the age of 29.
Per NHS, bone spurs (osteophytes) are bony lumpsthat grow on the bones of the spine or around the joints. They often form next to joints affected by osteoarthritis, a condition that causes joints to become painful and stiff.
Per Mayo Clinic, the main cause of bone spurs is the joint damage associated with osteoarthritis. Most bone spurs cause no symptoms and can go undetected for years. They might not require treatment. If treatment is needed, it depends on where spurs are located and how they affect one’s health.
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Littell was primarily a relief pitcher and he served at the Royals’ closer in 1976–1977.
We paused for a moment of silence before the start of tonight’s game in memory of former Royal Mark Littell. pic.twitter.com/kAW5Zp01wJ
— Kansas City Royals (@Royals) September 7, 2022
He 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.
Littell, survived by his wife also wrote three books which centered on his professional career in baseball as a player and coach.
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