PITTSBURGH -- Bob Friend, a World Series champion and one of the most accomplished pitchers in Pirates history, died on Sunday morning. He was 88.
Friend's son, Bob, said his father passed away while sleeping, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Friend's death was "sudden" with "no warning signs," his son told the newspaper.
"It is with heavy hearts and great sadness that we confirm the passing of a beloved member of the Pirates family, Bob Friend, earlier this morning at the age of 88," Pirates president Frank Coonelly said in a statement released by the club. "Bob was an outstanding baseball man, and an even better person.