Former St. Louis ace Bob Forsch dies at 61

ST. LOUIS, Nov. 4 (UPI) -- Former St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Bob Forsch, who threw out the first pitch last week at Game 7 of the World Series, has died. He was 61.

Forsch suffered an aneurysm in his chest and died Thursday at his home in Florida, his wife, Janice, told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

"We are deeply saddened by the sudden passing of Bob Forsch," Cardinals Chairman Bill DeWitt Jr. said in a statement Friday. "Bob was a one of the best pitchers in the history of our organization and a valued member of the Cardinals family.

"Having been with Bob just last week, we are all stunned by this news. The entire Cardinals organization extends its sincere condolences to Bob's wife Janice, his two daughters Amy and Kristin, and his countless friends."

Forsch threw out the ceremonial first pitch last Friday prior to Game 7 of the World Series. The Cardinals won the game 6-2, talking the championship over the Texas Rangers.

Forsch spent 14 of his 16 seasons in the major leagues with the Cardinals, building a 163-127 record in St. Louis. His final two seasons were with the Houston Astros. He was a combined 5-9 those seasons.

He was 168-136 with a 3.76 earned run average in his career. He was with the Cardinals when they won the 1982 World Series and is the only St. Louis pitcher to have thrown two no-hitters.

Forsch was one of the better hitting pitchers of his era, twice winning the Silver Slugger award, which goes to the top hitter at each position, and slugging 12 home runs in his career.