Catcher Thomas Maggard was the first first-round pick of the Boston Red Sox (1968) who failed to make the major leagues. While he was far from a sure thing, he had reached Class AAA Pawtucket when, in August of 1973, he suffered an insect bite that turned into a staph infection that killed him two weeks later -- Sept. 9, 1973 -- at the age of 23.
Maggard was the 20th overall selection in the '68 draft out of a California high school. His best season was his final full season: .245-14-48 in 1972.
