JACKSON, Miss. — David “Boo” Ferriss, a Boston Red Sox pitcher who helped lead the team to the 1946 World Series, has died. He was 94.
Rick Cleveland, a close friend of the former player, says Ferriss died Thursday at his home in Cleveland, Mississippi, surrounded by family. Cleveland says Ferriss had been in declining health for several weeks.
Ferriss pitched six years for the Red Sox from 1945-50. He had his best season in 1946, when he finished with a 25-6 record and 3.25 ERA and was named an All-Star. The Shaw, Mississippi, native’s career was shortened by a shoulder injury in 1947, but he finished with a 65-30 career record.
Ferriss was later the baseball coach at Delta State University, where he won 639 games over 26 seasons.
FIVE-PLAYER TRADE: Seattle and Arizona pulled off a five-player trade with the Mariners acquiring speedy infielder Jean Segura and the Diamondbacks getting right-hander Taijuan Walker as the centerpieces of the deal.
Segura immediately projects as Seattle’s leadoff hitter and starting shortstop, solidifying an infield that already includes All-Star sluggers Kyle Seager at third base and Robinson Cano at second. But getting Segura meant the Mariners had to give up on the inconsistent Walker, a power arm who has showed occasional flashes of brilliance.
“It’s hard anytime you give up talent like Taijuan,” Seattle General Manager Jerry Dipoto said. “Frankly, you have to give to get … and Segura fit this club.”
Arizona also obtained shortstop Ketel Marte, while Seattle received outfielder Mitch Haniger and left-hander Zac Curtis.
The addition of Walker could help a dreadful Arizona pitching staff that posted a 5.09 ERA last season, tied with Minnesota for worst in the majors. He joins a rotation that includes ace Zack Greinke, Shelby Miller, Patrick Corbin and Archie Bradley.
Arizona finished 69-93 last season, fourth in the NL West.
A touted prospect, the 24-year-old Walker went 8-11 with a 4.22 ERA and 119 strikeouts in 25 starts for Seattle last season. He would be outstanding one game and then struggle the next.
“Young, controllable pitching is hard to find, and adding Taijuan to the rotation gives us significant depth in that area,” new Arizona general manager Mike Hazen said.
Segura, an All-Star in 2013 with Milwaukee, is an immediate upgrade at shortstop for Seattle, which went 86-76 last season and finished three games out of a playoff spot. He hit .319 with 20 home runs, 33 stolen bases and 63 RBI for the Diamondbacks, who acquired him from the Brewers in a January trade.
Segura spent most of last season at second base for the Diamondbacks, but will move back to shortstop with the Mariners.
“This trade made more sense for where our roster is, and Jean Segura fit this club about as well as any player we were looking at,” Dipoto said.
Going into the offseason, Seattle thought its starting pitching depth was enviable. Now the Mariners will need to find supplemental arms after dealing Walker.
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