Ex-Cub Milt Pappas Remembered for Successful Baseball Career, Mysterious Death of Wife in Wheaton in 1980s

BEECHER, IL — Former Cubs pitcher Milt Pappas, who was found dead in his Beecher home Tuesday, is being remembered not only for his successful baseball career but also for his 1965 trade for future Hall of Famer Frank Robinson, which has been considered “one of the most lopsided exchanges in baseball history,” the New York Times reports.

Pappas also made headlines in 1982 when his wife, Carole, mysteriously went missing on Sept. 11 following a shopping trip to Bloomingdale, the Daily Herald reports. The couple lived in Wheaton at the time and Carole’s body was found five years later when her car was pulled from a pond near Wheaton Fire Station No. 2, which was just blocks from their house, according to the article. The death was later ruled accidental.

Pappas, 76, died of natural causes, according to the Beecher Police Department. Police officers were sent to Pappas’ home about 12:15 p.m. Tuesday and found him deceased.

>>> Cubs Pitcher Milt Pappas Found Dead in Beecher Home

Pappas pitched for the Cubs over the last four seasons of his 17-year career. He won 209 games and was named an All-Star twice. As a Cub in 1972, Pappas pitched a no-hitter against the San Diego Padres at Wrigley Field.

Chicago Cubs Executive Chairman Tom Ricketts issued the following statement after learning of Pappas' death:

The Cubs organization is sad to learn of the passing of Milt Pappas, who not only had a special place on the field with the team in the early 1970s, but also maintained a relationship with Cubs fans as a frequent guest at Wrigley Field, the Cubs Convention and other team events. Milt will forever be remembered for one of the most dramatic pitching performances in team history as he delivered a no-hitter that neared perfection in 1972. Pappas ended his impressive career wearing a Cubs uniform and we will always consider him part of the Chicago Cubs family. Our thoughts and prayers are with his friends, relatives and fans as we mourn this loss.

More via the Daily Herald and the New York Times

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