The game has lost one of its greats, pitcher KG Fincher, who passed away yesterday, on New Year’s Eve. Fincher hailed originally from the San Diego area, and resided in Tuscon, Arizona. KG pitched the Lakewood Jets to the ISC World Tournament title in 1973. He is perhaps best remembered as a clutch pitcher, capable of getting the big outs when needed. For more on this legendary pitcher, read Bob Otto’s 2010 piece on KG, “Will to Win Drove Fincher to Greatness”:
Will to Win Drove Fincher to Greatness (by Bob Otto)
“He threw hard and he came to beat you. He believed that you were never supposed to get a hit off him.” – Bob Guy
TUCSON, AZ – Ty Cobb had it. Michael Jordan had it. Joe Namath had it. And so did K.G. Fincher.
All great athletes have it. That indomitable will to win.
For 31 years, from 1955 to 1986, no one in the sport of fastpitch softball competed harder and demanded more of himself than Fincher. No one willed himself to win more than Fincher.
International Softball Congress (ISC) Hall of Famer, Hice Stiles, said that Fincher was the guy you wanted on the mound in the seventh inning with no outs and a runner on third base. Click here to read the entire story at “Otto in Focus”.
I was lucky enough to be asked to batboy for Guanella Brothers in Eau Claire, WI, in 1975, the year after they won the ASA. They were touring the Midwest playing exhibition games against all of the best teams. Watching them take infield practice was worth the price of admission. Getting to meet K G. Fincher was priceless. 34 short years later, I’m the ISC centerfield cameraman doing the opening ceremonies for the World Tournament in Moline, IL. I look down from my scaffolding and see him sitting right in front of me in his ISC Hall of Fame cap, thankful for the shade I am providing. I casually announced that I had batboyed for him all those years ago. He slowly got up and turned around with a look of disbelief. He then began quizzing me on all of the best pitchers that he faced on that tour. He was both pleased and amazed that I got every answer right. They are great memories for me. K.G. Fincher was THE MAN!
KG pitched for our team in San Jose and he was the best ,best teammate and person you would ever want to meet. As a player I played phenomenal for him he brought that out of me .RIP KG
I came up against kg venture One night in Long Beach California years ago Joe Rogers field we had a tournament first time I ever faced him I was a young 20-year-old 21-year-old my first bet I got a base hit down the first baseline when I get on to the base and he’s ready to pitch again he looked over at me he says nice see it good it I never faced him again my first to bet I got to hit on one of the greatest softball pictures ever my name is Larry Myers I played for the longest stars and that was a Big thrill for me as I look back now it’s 71 years old sad that he’s gone now but I had a few friends on that night 1973 team that won the world’s championships ISC what a great picture he was I hope today that he made it to heaven one day I’ll see him again rest in peace big guyl