Update (May 26): The Kansas City Royals have announced funeral arrangements for broadcaster and former player Paul Splittorff, who died Wednesday due to complications from melanoma.
A visitation will be held Monday, May 30, from 5 to 8 p.m. at First United Methodist Church in Blue Springs. A funeral mass will be held 11 a.m. Tuesday, May 31, at St. Robert Bellarmine Catholic Church in Blue Springs. Splitt's family is asking that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the St. Mary's Medical Center Foundation or in the Hall of Fame pitcher's name to a charity of your choice.
Original Story (May25): Sad news. The Kansas City Royals released a statement this morning saying that former player and team broadcaster Paul Splittorff has died. He was 64. Here's the statement from the Royals:
The Kansas City Royals are deeply saddened to announce the passing of Royals' Hall of Fame pitcher and broadcaster Paul Splittorff due to complications from melanoma. The all-time winningest pitcher in franchise history passed away this morning at the family home in Blue Springs, MO.
There are no details at this time regarding funeral arrangements.
Earlier this month, the Royals released a statement saying Splittorff had been hospitalized in his battle with oral cancer and melanoma.
Splittorff spent his entire 15-year major league career with the Royals
(1970-84). Splittorff is the franchise's career record holder with 166
victories, 392 starts, and 2,554 and 2/3 innings pitched. He's also the
Royals' first-ever 20-game winner (going 20-11 in 1973).
UPDATE: The Royals have released another statement on Paul Splittorff's death, including comments from Royals owner David Glass:
The Kansas City Royals are deeply saddened to announce the passing of Royals' Hall of Fame pitcher and broadcaster Paul Splittorff, 64, due to complications from melanoma. The all-time winningest pitcher in franchise history passed away this morning at the family home in Blue Springs, Mo."This is a very difficult day for our organization due to the passing of Paul Splittorff," said Royals Owner and CEO David Glass. "My prayers go out to Lynn, Jennifer and Jamie, who like all of us will miss him terribly. Paul was a lifer as a Kansas City Royal, first as a stalwart on the field who became the winningest pitcher in franchise history and then transforming himself into an outstanding broadcaster. We will not only miss the insight and humor that he injected into every telecast, but most importantly we will miss his friendship. He epitomized class and was always a great ambassador for the Kansas City Royals.""
Splittorff's entire big league career was spent in a Royals uniform from 1970-1984, where he compiled a record of 166-143 with a 3.81 ERA in 429 appearances, including 392 starts. The club's 25th-round pick in the 1968 amateur draft is the Royals' all-time leader in wins, starts and innings pitched (2,554.2) and was inducted into the Royals Hall of Fame in 1987. Splittorff, who became the club's first 20-game winner in 1973, averaged nearly 15 wins and 220 innings per season from 1972-1980. He made seven postseason appearances, including four starts, going 2-0 with a 2.79 ERA. He started the 1980 ALCS Game 3 clincher at Yankee Stadium, allowing just one run in 5.1 innings.
Upon retiring from baseball in 1984, Splittorff worked in broadcasting as both an analyst and in play-by-play. 2011 was his 24th season as a Royals television broadcaster and he also worked basketball games for the Big 8 and Big 12 conferences as well as local high school events.
Splittorff was born in Evansville, Ind., and was raised in Arlington Heights, Ill., where he graduated from Arlington High School. He starred in both baseball and basketball at Morningside College in Sioux City, Iowa, before being selected by the Royals. Splittorff is survived by his wife, Lynn, daughter, Jennifer, and son, Jamie.
To honor Splittorff's memory, the Royals will wear a memorial patch that says "Splitt" on the sleeve of their jerseys the remainder of the season. The patch is attached to this email. Funeral arrangements and other plans to honor Splittorff will be announced at a later date.
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I always enjoyed watching Splitt pitch. He was just a steady, reliable presence on the mound. No flash, no hype, just a solid work ethic and consistent results. To me, he exemplified the Royals teams of the 70s and 80s.
Later, as a broadcaster, he brought that same no-nonsense approach and work ethic. I admired how he refused to coast on having been a player but instead put in the hard work needed to hone his craft.
Rest in Peace, Splitt.
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