In Memoriam: James Rygelski

We are saddened to learn of the death of SABR member James Rygelski, 64, of St. Louis, Missouri, who passed away December 18, 2013, after a brief illness. He joined SABR in 1986 and was the longtime secretary and former president of the Bob Broeg St. Louis Chapter, faithfully submitting chapter meeting recaps each month.

Jim was a prolific writer, authoring many papers and books on his beloved St. Louis Cardinals, including 10 Rings: Stories of the St. Louis Cardinals World Championships with Bob Tiemann; and The I-55 Series: Cubs vs. Cardinals with George Castle. His last article, “A proposal to improve baseball’s pace” with Mark Antonacci, was published on SABR.org last month. He also contributed to SABR publications such as the Baseball Research Journal, The National Pastime, Nineteenth Century Stars, Mound City Memories and Inventing Baseball: The 100 Greatest Games of the 19th Century.

Jim was a writer and editor for many years with the St. Louis Globe-Democrat, Suburban Journals and St. Louis Review, the weekly newspaper of the St. Louis Archdiocese. He also contributed regularly to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch’s online religion blog.

A visitation will be held from 9-10 a.m. on Sunday, December 28, 2013, at St. Ambrose Catholic Church, 5110 Wilson Ave, St Louis, MO 63110. A memorial service will follow.



Originally published: December 18, 2013. Last Updated: December 18, 2013.