Niekro, now 81, never saw him around the ballpark in Atlanta or during those many spring trainings spent in Florida as a guest instructor. While the guy known as “Poco” remained a fond memory for many Braves fans - again, who could forget that name? - he didn’t linger around to soak up the adoration. “If he could’ve had a second catcher behind the plate to throw the ball to second base for him, Biff could’ve had a great career.” “You’ve got to be able to throw the ball if you’re a catcher,” Niekro said ruefully. There was an aborted attempt to convert him into a third baseman, but it didn’t pan out. With his arm shot, Pocoroba spent his last few seasons as a backup catcher and pinch-hitting specialist. Pocoroba was released by the Braves early in the 1984 season, finished off at age 30 by a shoulder injury that cut short what could’ve been a more productive career. They hadn’t seen each other in at least 30 years. He wasn’t the greatest catcher of all time, but he was a good catcher. “He was a warrior, I’m telling you, he was a fighter. “All I know is when he came to the ballpark, whether it was a home or road game, he had his game face on every day,” Niekro said Wednesday evening when reached at his home. The last of those outs was delivered by his teammate and future Hall of Famer, the knuckleballer Phil Niekro. He entered the Midsummer Classic at what was then known as San Diego Stadium in the top of the ninth inning, crouching behind the plate for the final three outs of the NL’s 7-3 victory. They’re almost like members of the family.īiff Pocoroba was not a great player by any means, though he was good enough to stick with the Braves for nearly a full decade - good enough, even, to earn a spot in the 1978 All-Star Game. It’s curious how certain athletes can become intertwined with your life, taking on an outsized role that defies all logic and reason. This story has been corrected to Pocoroba retired at age 30, not 29.“As he retired, he took on being a full-time Papa and chauffeur to his 15 grandchildren,” the obituary said. A private memorial service is scheduled for Friday. He is survived by his wife of 37 years, Jody Karin Raymond, four children and 15 grandchildren. After starring at Canoga Park High School, he was picked by the Braves in the 17th round of the 1971 amateur draft. “We share our deepest condolences to his family and friends.”īiff Benedict Pocoroba was born in Burbank, California, on July 25, 1953. “We are saddened to hear of the passing of former Braves catcher Biff Pocoroba,” the team said in a statement. He retired at age 30 and began a second career running a specialty meat business in suburban Atlanta. Pocoroba was released by the Braves after playing just four games early in the 1984 season. “With shoulder problems he became our go-to LH bat off the bench." “Poco once threw out 11 straight base-stealers in spring training,” Murphy wrote on Twitter. ![]() Longtime teammate Dale Murphy, a two-time NL MVP who began his career as a catcher before moving to the outfield, remembered Pocoroba as a “key member of our early '80s team” before injuries derailed his career. Pocoroba made the only postseason appearance of his career in Game 2, grounding out as a pinch hitter in the seventh inning of a 4-3 loss. Louis Cardinals in the NL Championship Series. The Braves were swept in three straight games by the St. ![]() 275 with two homers and 22 RBIs for Atlanta, which opened the season with a record 13 straight wins and went on to capture its first division title since 1969. In 1982, after being plagued by shoulder problems, Pocoroba had been relegated to a backup and pinch-hitter role. He got into the game in the final inning of the NL’s 7-3 victory, catching teammate Phil Niekro for the final out. He was picked as a reserve for the All-Star Game the following year. 290 with eight homers and 44 RBIs in 113 games. His best season came in 1977, when he batted. Pocoroba spent his entire 10-year career with the Braves, first joining the team for 67 games in 1975. Tom Wages Funeral Services in suburban Snellville confirmed that Pocoroba died Sunday. ATLANTA (AP) - Former Atlanta catcher Biff Pocoroba, who played in the 1978 All-Star Game and was a backup on the Braves team that won an improbable NL West title in 1982, has died at age 66.
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