Paul Lindblad, 64; World Series Pitcher for Athletics in ’73 and Yankees in ’78

Paul Lindblad, a middle reliever who pitched in the World Series for the New York Yankees and the Oakland Athletics, has died after a long bout with Alzheimer’s disease. He was 64.

Lindblad died in Arlington, Texas, on New Year’s Day.

He was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 1993 and spent the last nine years in a nursing home.

About 10% of those who develop Alzheimer’s are younger than 60.

Those cases are referred to as early-onset familial Alzheimer’s disease and generally result from an inherited genetic mutation.

Lindblad pitched 14 seasons, his last game coming for the New York Yankees against the Dodgers in the 1978 World Series.

The left-hander was part of two World Series championship teams in Oakland, pitching the ninth and 10th innings to win an 11-inning game over the New York Mets in 1973.

He didn’t make an appearance in the 1974 World Series.

Lindblad finished his career with a 68-63 record and 64 saves. He had a 3.29 ERA in 655 games for the Kansas City Athletics (1965-67), Oakland Athletics (1968-71 and 1973-76); Washington Senators (1971); Texas Rangers (1972 and 1977-78); and the Yankees (1978).

He was the last pitcher faced by Hall of Famer Willie Mays, who grounded out as a pinch-hitter to end the 11-inning World Series game in 1973.

On the final day of the 1975 regular season against the Angels, Lindblad combined with Vida Blue, Glenn Abbott and Rollie Fingers on a no-hitter.

Born in Chanute, Kans., on Aug. 9, 1941, Lindblad was signed by the Kansas City Athletics as an amateur free agent in 1963.

He made his major league debut on Sept. 15, 1965.

Information on survivors was not available.