Biff Pocoroba, a former All-Star catcher who played his entire career with the Atlanta Braves, passed away on May 24, 2020, at the age of 66. His death was confirmed by Tom Wages Funeral Services, but no cause of death was given.
A Promising Career Cut Short by Injury
Pocoroba was born in Burbank, California, on July 25, 1953. He was drafted by the Braves in 1971 and made his major league debut in 1975. He quickly became a fan favorite, partly due to his unique name, and was selected as an All-Star in 1978. He had his best season in 1977, when he hit .290 with eight home runs and 44 RBIs in 113 games.
Pocoroba was the primary catcher for the Braves until 1981, when he suffered a shoulder injury that required surgery. He never regained his starting job and played only sporadically until his final game in 1984. He retired with a career batting average of .257, 21 home runs, and 172 RBIs in 596 games.
A Life After Baseball
After his playing career, Pocoroba started a sausage business outside Atlanta, according to ESPN. He also remained involved with the Braves alumni association and participated in several charity events. He was remembered by his former teammates and fans as a kind and generous person who loved the game of baseball.
Pocoroba is survived by his wife, Marta, and his three children, Jennifer, Michael, and Matthew. He also had seven grandchildren and six siblings. He was laid to rest at Eternal Hills Memory Gardens in Snellville, Georgia.
