Former W-S player Earl Weaver passes away

Hall of Fame manager Earl Weaver, who counted Winston-Salem among his stops as a minor league baseball player, passed away early Saturday morning at the age of 82.

Weaver was a second baseman for the Winston-Salem Cardinals in 1950. This team still owns the Carolina League's best record of 106-47 (.693). The Cards disposed of Reidsville and Burlington in the postseason to earn a CL championship, one of a record 11 for Winston-Salem.

During the 1950 season, Weaver hit .276 with three homers, 60 RBI and 57 runs scored in 127 games.

Six years later, Weaver began his managerial career with the Knoxville Smokies. In his 11 seasons as a minor league manager, Weaver won three championships.

Weaver took over as the Baltimore Orioles' skipper in July of 1968 after beginning the season as the O's first base coach. The St. Louis native remained Baltimore's manager until 1982, and he returned for a brief stint from 1985-86.

Under Weaver's watch, the Orioles went 1,480-1,060 (.583), and they posted five seasons of 100 or more wins. Weaver guided Baltimore to four American League pennants and the 1970 World Series title.

The Orioles retired Weaver's number four, and he was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1996 by the Veterans' Committee.

Weaver died early Saturday due to an apparent heart attack while on an Orioles fantasy cruise.