The Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of the great Bahamian professional baseball player, Ed Armbrister who passed away on Wednesday 17th, 2021 at the age of 72, after a prolonged battle with diabetes.  On behalf of the Ministry, the Minister, the Hon Iram Lewis extends condolences to the bereaved family and to the entire local baseball community. 

Armbrister was the third of seven Bahamians to be called up to Major League

Baseball (MLB), making his debut with the Cincinnati Reds on August 31, 1973, at the age of 25. He enjoyed a five-year career with the Reds, turning in a batting average of .245 with 4 home runs and 19 runs batted in (RBIs).  He had 65 career hits and scored 46 runs in his five-year career.  Armbrister’s best season came in 1976, when he batted .295 with two home runs and seven RBIs in limited action as a utility player and helping the Reds win their second consecutive world series title.  He also has three National League pennants with the Reds.

Armbrister became known for the controversial sacrifice bunt he successfully laid down in the bottom of the 10th inning of game three of the World Series, moving César Gerónimo over to third base and helping the Reds win that game, 6-5, for a two-games-to-one lead in the series.

Armbrister played his last game in the majors in 1977 and officially retired four years later.  International baseball Hall of Famer, Pete Rose fondly remembers the contributions Ed made toward the teams successful World Series Championship in 1975.  Ed was known best for ‘the bunt that was heard around the World’.  

Ed continued to contribute to the development of baseball by becoming deeply involved in the development of inner-city kids through the Community Baseball League.  In honour of his invaluable contributions to nation building, the National Sports Authority also join in offering its tribute by displaying his image on the stadium’s jumbotron screens for the entire sports community to see.