Oscar Gamble dead at 68 – New York Yankees baseball star known for his Afro passes away
The slugger was known for his left-handed power, appearing in more than 1,500 games
OSCAR Gamble — a former Yankees slugger known for his left-handed power and his sizeable Afro — has died at age 68.
The former athlete has been remembered for his "big hair, big heart" after his agent Andrew Levy confirmed the tragic news to MLB.com.
His cause of death was not immediately clear.
In 17 seasons from 1969 through 1985, Gamble appeared in 1,584 games and batted .265, with 200 home runs and 666 RBIs.
In 1974 and 1977, he ranked in the top 10 in slugging in the American League playing for the Indians and the White Sox, respectively.
The left-handed pull hitter also played seven seasons over two stints in The Bronx, including two American League pennants in 1976 and 1981.
Gamble hit a career-high of 31 home runs and 83 RBIs while playing for the White Sox in 1977.
The Alabama native, who was drafted by the Chicago Cubs in 1968, also played for the Cubs, Padres, Rangers, Indians and Phillies.
MOST READ IN NEWS
“Sad to hear of the passing of Oscar Gamble. Big hair, big heart. Gone too soon,” tweeted Yankees broadcaster Ken Singleton, who competed against Gamble in the ’70s and ’80s.
But Gamble was perhaps best-known for his oversized hair, which Gamble cut after the Yankees acquired him in a trade from the Indians before the 1976 season.
In fact, Gamble’s 1976 Topps baseball card remains one of baseball’s most iconic due to the Afro.
A version of this story originally appeared on New York Post.