the Negro leagues' Kansas City Monarchs, later with the White Sox and Orioles. November 29 – Harry Danning, 93, four-time All-Star catcher for the New York Giants who batted .300 three times during an 890-game MLB career that lasted from 1933 to 1942. December December 10 – Ed Sudol, 84, National League umpire from 1957 to 1977 who worked three World Series and was behind the plate for Jim Bunning's perfect game (1964) and three Mets games of 23 or more innings. December 13 – Andre Rodgers, 70, shortstop for the New York/San Francisco Giants (1957–1960), Chicago Cubs (1961–1964) and Pittsburgh Pirates (1965–1967), who was the first Bahamian major leaguer; former cricket player who learned baseball at a Giants tryout. December 14 – Danny Doyle, 87, scout for the Red Sox since 1949 who signed Roger Clemens; briefly a catcher for the 1943 team. December 14 – Rod Kanehl, 70, second baseman and outfielder for the 1962–1964 New York Mets who hit the team's first-ever grand slam. December 15 – Larry Ponza, 86, pitching machine innovator. December 16 – Ted Abernathy, 71, submarining relief pitcher who led the National League in saves in 1965 and 1967; compiled 149 career saves for seven MLB teams in 14 seasons between 1955 and 1972. December 16 – Bobby Mattick, 89, longtime scout who managed the 1980–1981 Toronto Blue Jays; previously a shortstop for the Chicago Cubs and Cincinnati Reds between 1938 and 1942. December 22 – Doug Ault, 54, first baseman for the Toronto Blue Jays who hit two home runs in the franchise's first game in 1977. December 23 – Wilmer Harris, 80, pitcher for the Negro leagues' Philadelphia Stars. December 24 – Johnny Oates, 58, manager who led the Rangers to their only three playoff appearances in 1996, '98 and '99; also managed Orioles, and was catcher with five teams. December 26 – Eddie Layton, 79, organist for the New York Yankees from 1967 to 2003. December 29 – Ken Burkhart, 89, National League umpire from 1957 to 1973 who worked in three World Series; earlier, an NL pitcher from 1945–1949, who won 18 games for the 1945 Cardinals; the last surviving umpire who also played in the majors. December 29 – Gus Niarhos, 84, catcher for four teams, most notably the Yankees; later a minor league manager and MLB coach for the Kansas City Athletics. December 31 – Joe Durso,