May 20, 2008

UNIVERSITY OF RICHMOND, Va. - Former Spider baseball player and Boston Red Sox pitcher Herbert H. Hash, Sr. passed away Tuesday morning of a stroke in his hometown of Culpeper, Va. The Richmond Hall of Famer was 97-years old and was recognized as the oldest living Boston Red Sox pitcher.

Hash, who was inducted into the Spiders' Hall of Fame in the class of 1985-86, was a multi-talented athlete who played basketball, baseball, and was also a high jumper on the track team. He was a three-year letterman in basketball and a member of Richmond's 20-0 team in 1935. He earned three letters in baseball as an outfielder and pitcher and posted a 13-4 career record.

He later played professionally in the Red Sox organization two major league seasons and compiled an 8-7 record with a 4.98 ERA in 38 appearances, including 12 starts. He was 7-7 with a 4.95 ERA in 1940 and 1-0 with a 5.40 ERA in four games, all in relief, in 1941.

The oldest living former Red Sox player is third baseman Billy Werber, who turned 99 last June 20.

He is survived by his three sons, Herbert Hash, Jr. and his wife, Norma, of Boone, N.C., Randy Hash of Bluemont, Va., Happy Hash and his wife, Katie of Culpeper, Va. and a daughter, Reva Hash also of Culpeper.

The family will receive friends on Thursday, May 22, 2008 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Found and Sons Funeral Chapel, 850 Sperryville Pike, Culpeper, VA 22701.

A graveside service will be held on Friday, May 23, 2008 at 11 a.m. at Fairview Cemetery with Rev. Sandy Martin officiating.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in his name to Young Life of Culpeper, PO Box 803, or to Culpeper Gideons, PO Box 83, Culpeper VA 22701.

Found and Sons Funeral Chapel of Culpeper is handling the arrangements.