Ron Blackburn

Ronald Hamilton Blackburn (April 23, 1935 – April 29, 1998) was an American Major League Baseball right-handed pitcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates during the 1958 and 1959 seasons.

Career Nicknamed "Blackie", he batted and threw right handed. Blackburn stood at and at the height of his career. He spent 11 seasons in the minor leagues and played two consecutive seasons for the Pirates.

His major league debut was on Opening Day 1958 against the Milwaukee Braves. The first batter he faced was Hank Aaron, who hit a single off Blackburn, but he managed to keep the next nine batters off base for his first victory.

On the road for his two years with the Pirates, Blackburn's roommate was Bill Mazeroski. During these two years, he also was a teammate of legendary outfielder Roberto Clemente.

Blackburn played his last game for Pittsburgh on July 28, 1959.

Year Age Team League Level 1953 18 Burlington-Graham Pirates Carolina League B 1953 18 Fond du Lac Panthers Wisconsin State League D 1954 19 St. Jean Canadians Provincial League C 1955 20 Phoenix Stars Arizona–Mexico League C 1955 20 Burlington-Graham Pirates Carolina League B 1956 21 Williamsport Grays Eastern League A 1956 21 New Orleans Pelicans Southern Association AA 1957 22 Columbus Jets International League AAA 1958 23 Pittsburgh Pirates National League MLB 1959 24 Columbus Jets International League AAA 1959 24 Pittsburgh Pirates National League MLB 1960 25 Columbus Jets International League AAA 1960 25 Salt Lake City Bees Pacific Coast League AAA 1961 26 Dallas-Fort Worth Rangers American Association AAA 1961 26 Macon Peaches Southern Association AA 1963 28 Columbus Jets International League AAA 1964 29 Columbus Jets International League AAA 1964 29 Asheville Tourists Southern League AAA

Life Born on April 23, 1935, in Mount Airy, North Carolina, Blackburn was raised in Kannapolis, North Carolina. He studied at Catawba College, where he met his wife Sandra Lower.

Following his playing retirement In 1964, Blackburn became a teacher and baseball coach at Western Carolina University, where he also attended school. He was the father of two sons: Ron H. Blackburn Jr. (born 1961) and Rick S. Blackburn (born 1964). The family lived in Cullowhee, North Carolina from 1964 to 1969 before moving to Morganton, North Carolina, where he worked as recreation director at the Western Correctional Center.

Blackburn died on April 29, 1998, from cancer at age 63. He is buried in Carolina Memorial Park, Concord, North Carolina.