Bond caught on with the Triple-A Jacksonville Suns, his declining health forced him to the sidelines after only three games. He entered a Houston hospital for treatment, but died there at age 29 on September 14, 1967. Said his physician, Dr. Hatch Cummings: "He showed the strength of character and will that only champions possess. It was an exhibition of courage, and in the best tradition of baseball." Among Bond's 307 big-league hits were 40 doubles, 11 triples and 41 homers. He was credited with 179 runs batted in. See also List of baseball players who died during their careers References External links Anderson, James Walter Bond: A Ballplayer Who Was Big in Stature and Big of Heart, Astros Daily 1937 births 1967 deaths 20th-century African-American sportspeople African-American baseball players American expatriate baseball players in Canada American expatriate baseball players in Nicaragua Baseball players from Tennessee Burlington Indians players (1958–1964) Cleveland Indians players Cocoa Indians players Deaths from cancer in Texas Deaths from leukemia Denver Bears players Houston Astros players Houston Colt .45s players Jacksonville Suns players Kansas City Monarchs players Major League Baseball first basemen Major League Baseball outfielders Minnesota Twins players People from Madison County, Tennessee Reading Indians players Salt Lake City Bees players Toronto Maple Leafs (International League) players Vancouver Mounties players