Hall of Famer Eddie Mathews dies at 69

The Associated Press

The Milwaukee Braves' Eddie Mathews takes off, his bat still in the air, as he his eyes the ball on its way out of the park in the first inning against the San Francisco Giants at Milwaukee County Stadium, in this June 23, 1960, photo. Mathews, who hit 512 home runs in a Hall of Fame career died yesterday at age 69.

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LA JOLLA, Calif. - Eddie Mathews, who hit 512 home runs in a Hall of Fame career and was the only person to play for the Braves in Boston, Milwaukee and Atlanta, died yesterday. He was 69.

He died in his sleep at the Scripps La Jolla hospital, his wife, Judy, said.

Mathews had been hospitalized since his wife took him to the emergency room Sept. 3 after he had trouble breathing. He was diagnosed with congestive heart failure, and also suffered from lung problems and pneumonia.

"He worked so hard to get better," his wife said. "He just gave out."

A third baseman, Mathews hit 512 home runs in 17 seasons in the major leagues. He was the only person to play with the Braves in Boston, Milwaukee and Atlanta and was a member of three World Series teams - two with the Braves and one with the Detroit Tigers.

Mathews, who grew up in Santa Barbara, Calif., is tied with Ernie Banks for 13th on baseball's career home-run list.

The left-handed hitting Mathews teamed with career home-run king Hank Aaron to form one of the most potent 1-2 punches in baseball history. The pair combined for 863 home runs with the Braves, surpassing the teammate mark of 859 set by Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig of the New York Yankees.