Paul Blair (right) with Ken Griffey, Sr.

 

Former Major League Baseball outfielder Paul Blair died on Thursday, at the age of 69.

An outfielder whose career spanned seventeen seasons, Blair played for the Baltimore Orioles (1964–76), New York Yankees (1977–79, 1980) and Cincinnati Reds (1979).

With the Orioles, Blair was the starting center fielder for a franchise that won two World Series Championships (1969 & 1971), four American League pennants and five American League East titles from 1966 to 1974.

Blair was also a part of the Yankees' World Series championship teams of 1977 and 1978.

Known as a great defensive player, Blair earned the Gold Glove Award eight times, including seven consecutive honors from 1969 to 1975.

A two-time All-Star, Blair hit a .250 over his 17 season, with 134 home runs,and  620 RBI's, along with 171 stolen bases.

Blair's best season was 1969, with the Orioles, when he hit .285, with 26 homers, and 76 RBI's, along with 20 stolen bases.

Blair was also know as a World Series hero, belting a home run in Game 3 of the 1966 Series to help the Orioles defeat the Los Angeles Dodgers, as well as hitting a .474 in the 1970 Series when the Orioles defeated Cincinnati Reds in five games.

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