DETROIT (AP) -Billy Consolo, a former major league infielder and longtime Detroit Tigers coach, has died of an apparent heart attack. He was 73.
Former Tigers public relations director Dan Ewald, a longtime friend, said Friday that Consolo died Thursday at his home in Westlake Village, Calif.
Sparky Anderson and Consolo became close friends while playing high school baseball in southern California. Anderson became the Tigers’ manager midway through the 1979 season and added Consolo to his staff in 1980. Consolo retired after the 1992 season.
Consolo went straight from high school to the majors in 1953 when he signed with the Boston Red Sox. He hit .221 with nine homers and 83 RBIs in 603 games in 10 seasons with the Red Sox, Senators-Twins, Phillies, Angels and Athletics.
Consolo is survived by two brothers.
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