Tom Gastall

Thomas Everett Gastall (June 13, 1932 – September 20, 1956) was an American baseball player who appeared in two seasons as a catcher for the Baltimore Orioles. A right-handed batter and thrower, he stood 6 feet 2 inches (1.88 m) tall and weighed 187 pounds (85 kg).

Gastall was born in Fall River, Massachusetts, where he starred in basketball, football and baseball at B.M.C. Durfee High School. Then Gastall attended Boston University; he served as captain of the baseball and basketball teams, and quarterbacked the Terriers to the most successful season in their history to that point. The university named him athlete-of-the-year, and was selected by the Detroit Lions in the 1955 NFL draft.

After graduation, Gastall signed with Baltimore for $40,000 as a bonus baby. Gastall appeared in 52 games and had less than one hundred plate appearances over two seasons with Baltimore.

He died when the ERCO Ercoupe aircraft he was piloting crashed into Chesapeake Bay. He was survived by his wife, Rosemary, and a son, Thomas. Apparently the plane had suffered engine problems, and Gastall attempted to crash land in the bay. His body was recovered from the bay five days later.