Former Royal Pitcher, Broadcaster, Paul Splittorff Has Died

My thoughts and prayers are with the Splittorff family.

Only knew Splitt as a broadcaster, but he was a very solid broadcaster. He was not your typical ex-jock phoning it in, spewing tired old cliches and the same old stories from “the good ol’ days”. He worked hard at his craft and was comfortable blending in with the atmosphere of the game, not making himself the center of attention. He offered real insight about pitching, about clubhouses, and about the nuances of the game, without talking down to you. He was respectful of current players, but would still call out a bad play, or even be critical of what the team was doing. He even became a very solid basketball broadcaster for the Big 8/12.

The man was involved with the Royals in some capacity from their first year of inception until a few weeks ago. If he does not bleed true Royals blue, I don’t know who does.

Graduated from HS in the the NW suburbs, and played American Legion ball here too.

You’ve lost a good one, my condolences.

Out on most of his broadcasting career. I remember him as a pitcher very well, the ultimate crafty lefty. Too bad he didn’t get a ring in ’85; he certainly deserved it.

who only recently found out via MLB.tv that he had a whole second career: rest in peace, Splitt.

First great pitcher to capture my young imagination. A baseball man through and through.

from @fakenedyost:

“BREAKING: Paul Splittorff has just struck out Thurman Munson, Babe Ruth and Joe DiMaggio to strike out the side.”

“I honestly thought he was one of the best Big 12 basketball play-by-play guys.”

from @Greg_Schaum:

 “I think you all would agree as a career soldier for the Royals Splittorff deserves a statue in our monument park- thoughts?”

from @revive85KC: “Now we have to get Split’s number off Kyle Davies’ back.”

and from me (@FootballRanch):

“Will go down as most underrated TV man ever. Paul Splittorff has set the moral and expert standard a notch higher. Fellow sports media can only try to come close.”

“BREAKING: Splitorff has been traded. He now plays for the Angels. The Heavenly Angels of Righteous County.”

I enjoyed his analysis and his modesty.

Per the Royals blog.

and I’ll be damned if it didn’t make him sound human. He was obviously touched and saddened. I agree that a Splitt monument would make sense….or some gesture to recognize him. I miss the “Splitt’s Grips” segments they used to do several years ago, wherein Splitt would show the various ways pitchers held the ball to throw certain pitches, and like others, admired his willingness to call a spade a spade, regardless of the jersey on the player’s back.

It’s going to be weird not hearing his voice during the pre-game show anymore.

It was really cool that such a quality MLB pitcher went to college in our little town. In other words, it is Paul Splittorff’s fault that I become a lifelong Royals fan.

RIP, Splitt, you will be missed.

“You’ve got a game to get ready for.”

-Paul Splittorff

But win one for Mr, Splittorf tonight. It’s the least we could do.

And yeah, we need to retire his number. Howser was good, Brett was great and White was around for the best years, but no one has been as involved in this Royals organization on both sides of the white lines from day one until the sweet embrace of death carries them to the Ballpark Cathedral than Mr. Splittorf (yes, he deserves the kind of respect to be called Mr., even from people no younger than he).

Probably the most tragic thing of his career is that his career ended in ’84, but he would never agree with that. A consummate professional, both on the field and in the booth.

In pace requiescat, sir.

and a true Royal. In the organization since the beginning, (spent 1969 at Omaha), there is no other player who has been involved with the team this long.

Although some made snarky comments when he returned from his first bout with illness and had some vocal limitations, I applaud him for the courage to broadcast with his limitations, and I applaud the Royals for their loyalty in allowing him to still broadcast. His mind was still sharp. When he was 100%, I thought he was the best analyst ever involved with the team, and he was an awesome college basketball guy as well.

Not only one of the great Royal players, but a great man. I learned my curveball grip from him, and I’m going into the backyard to snap off a few in the rain in remembrance.

Rest in peace, Splitt. You will always be remembered.