Curt Blefary; Orioles’ ‘65 Rookie of the Year

Curt Blefary, the 1965 American League rookie of the year who was also a member of the Baltimore Orioles team that won the 1966 World Series, has died.

Blefary died Sunday night at his home of chronic pancreatitis and related ailments, according to his wife, Lana Blefary. He was 57.

Blefary played eight seasons in the major leagues with the Orioles (1965-68), Houston Astros (1969), New York Yankees (1971-72) and San Diego Padres (1972).

He hit .237 with 112 home runs and 382 RBIs in 974 career games.

Blefary originally signed with the New York Yankees, who sold his contract to the Orioles while he was still in the minor leagues.

He won the rookie of the year award after hitting .260 with 22 home runs and 70 RBIs.

Given the nickname “Clank” because of his poor fielding, Blefary played first base, then was switched to catcher.

On April 27, 1968, Blefary caught Tom Phoebus’ no-hitter.

Blefary, a native of Brooklyn, N.Y., grew up in Mahwah, N.J. After he retired in 1972, Blefary’s love of baseball kept him close to the game. He was a volunteer coach for Northeast High School in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

Blefary also worked in the circulation department of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.

Blefary is survived by his wife, two daughters, a son and three grandchildren.