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Drungo LaRue Hazewood

1959 - 2013

Drungo LaRue Hazewood obituary, 1959-2013, Sacramento, CA

BORN

1959

DIED

2013

Drungo Hazewood Obituary

The name Drungo Hazewood is enough to elicit tales of legendary power, strength and speed.

At 6-foot-3, 210 pounds and talented enough to receive a football scholarship to Southern California, Haywood was chosen by the Baltimore Orioles in the first round of the Major League Baseball draft in 1977.

"The only other person I can come close to describing his physicality probably was Bo Jackson," said Bob Bonner, his former teammate with the Charlotte Orioles. "Everybody just looked at Drungo with envy. If I had a body like his, an arm like his, if I could run like him. He had just so much natural talent, it was unbelievable."

While his major league ledger displays a hitless in five at-bats, the tale of this prodigy is greater than the few weeks he spent in a Baltimore Orioles uniform. It grows even bigger now that he has passed on.

Hazewood died Sunday in his Sacramento, Calif., home of cancer. He was 53.

"He was diagnosed in June 2011," said his wife, Lagette. "He had major surgery to remove the cancer in August 2011. He did six months of chemo and that put it in remission. We lost our son in August and soon after that he had a reoccurrence. We started to fight it again in October, he had another surgery and radiation, and (Sunday) he lost the battle."

Hazewood played the bulk of his career in Charlotte, where he hit 79 home runs in four seasons from 1979 through 1982. His feats drew comparisons to some of the most revered names in the game.

"He was the next Mickey Mantle," former Charlotte teammate Scott Christopher said. "I used to take his cut-off throws from right field and it was like it came out of an absolute cannon. It was just an absolute rocket. Some of the bombs he hit were devastating, probably 500-plus feet. The guy was unreal."

Bonner recalled one tape-measure shot that left everyone in the stadium agape.

"We were playing for Charlotte in 1979, and at one field, I remember it was 375 (feet) to left-center and there was a parking lot behind the fence and a 10-story apartment complex behind that, and he hit it over that complex," Bonner said. "It was estimated at 600 feet. I stood in awe, everybody did. You could hear a pin drop at the ballpark when he hit it that night."

Hall of Famer Cal Ripken Jr., who played alongside Hazewood for two seasons in Charlotte, marveled at the abilities of the strapping outfielder.

"He was big and fast and something to watch scoring from first on a double," Ripken said in his autobiography "The Only Way I Know How."

Yet, it was Hazewood's strength that truly made a lasting impression on Ripken. After a brawl resulted in Hazewood being ejected, Ripken recalled how he broke a bat using his hands and nothing else.

"He threw on some street clothes – no shower – and then stopped in front of a display of two bats mounted on hooks on the wall. He grabbed one and snapped it like a toothpick," Ripken said. "… Drungo didn't snap this bat across anything, and he didn't hit it against anything. He just twisted and snapped it like a toothpick."

While Hazewood's raw ability has been glamorized, his fierce devotion to teammates was seldom reported.

"He was a very loyal teammate," Bonner said. "He was one guy that if you were ever in a brawl on the field, you would want him on your side."

Bonner told how Hazewood once took on an entire opposing team after the same teammate was plunked in succession after the O's not once, but twice, hit consecutive back-to-back-to-back home runs.

"One night in Charlotte, Vern Thomas, Dan Logan and I hit three home runs in a row and the next batter, Cat Whitfield got hit," Bonner said. "Next time we get up, we all hit home runs again; we had two sets of back-to-back-to-back home runs in the same game. Sure enough, Cat Whitfield got hit again. When Cat charged the mound, Drungo beat Cat to the mound.

"To make a long story short, it was quite a brawl and after the brawl was over, Drungo put two of their guys in the hospital. You didn't want to mess with Drungo. He was so strong. I remember looking up and seeing him pick this pitcher up on the other team and throw him so hard down to the ground, the ground shook.

"I remember seeing someone else hitting Drungo, he didn't flinch and hit the guy and he went down and they carried both of those guys off on stretchers."

So why didn't Hazewood, who displayed these wondrous feats of strength, stay longer in the big leagues?

He couldn't hit the curveball. As he moved up the ladder, pitchers started to figure out that the off-speed was Hazewood's kryptonite.

"He could hit a fastball no doubt, but he had trouble with the breaking ball," Bonner said.

Christopher said Hazewood's potential was unlimited had he made the necessary adjustments.

"Had he mastered the curveball, he could have been standing next to Cal in the Hall of Fame."

Hazewood's case remained a curious one for teammates and fans alike, as he was out of baseball only a few short years after his 1980 Major League Baseball debut at 21. He abruptly stopped playing in 1983, leaving baseball to care for his mother, who suffered from breast cancer.

Rumors circulated regarding his whereabouts, as he was absent from team reunions and unresponsive to fan mail.

Hazewood slipped into relative anonymity in his hometown of Sacramento, no longer a ball player, but a family man who was busy driving a truck and raising seven children.

Maryland-area autograph specialist Chris Potter caught up with Hazewood in the fall of 2012, and traveled to his home to organize a signing for collectors who desperately wanted his signature. It was Hazewood's first signing of this type , and he wondered why people still sought his autograph.
Published by Charlotte Observer on Jul. 31, 2013.

Memories and Condolences
for Drungo Hazewood

Not sure what to say?





32 Entries

September 25, 2013

I am so sorry for the loss of your loved one. Please find peace and comfort in Psalms 65:2.

J B

September 24, 2013

I am sorry for your loss. My thoughts are with the family. May God give you the peace and comfort that is needed at this time.

Roger Edwards

September 20, 2013

As a kid growing up in teh city of Charlotte, we had few heroes. But there was no greater childhood memory of going out to Crockett Park and hearing the PA announcer say.."Next up to bat is Drungo Laruuuue Haywood!" I remember the tape measure HR's and the cannon of a arm he had. I hope his family knows how much he was loved in this city. We may all brag about seeing Cal play here but Drungo was the one who left us with so many great moments.

September 18, 2013

In loving memory of a wonderful person. We will love you and miss you always.

townsend g

September 7, 2013

We're so sorry to hear of your tremendous loss. God....will wipe all tears from their eyes, and there will be no more death, suffering, crying, or pain.

September 4, 2013

May God wrap him in his arms and he be in God's memory. Malachi3:16

Psalm 34:17,18

September 3, 2013

It can be so hard to face the first year without your loved one, but the love of family and friends can carry you through.

August 23, 2013

May the God of all comfort, comfort you . in this time of need.

S Marshall

August 21, 2013

Giving Martha the courage and assurance she needed at the death of her brother, Lazarus, Jesus simply, authoritatively stated "your brother will rise...do you believe this?" It is my sincere hope that you believe this and trust that Jesus has the authority and the desire to do so. Take comfort in the scriptures and may God be with you.

L Ellis

August 17, 2013

Sincere condolences to the family!
May your loving memories bring you comfort.

August 15, 2013

With Deepest Sympathy at this sad time. A special life has passed from sight... but because God is Love in his memory we are not forgotten 1John 4:8 And there is coming the day when our heavenly creator will do away with the things that hurt. 1 Corinthians 15:26

Anita Thompson_lee

August 7, 2013

Sorry to hear of Drungo. Me and my Sister went to Sac Hi with him . May he be @ peace

Ron Harlow Sr.

August 5, 2013

My deepest sympathies. Be assured of my prayers for Drungo's family.

Terrietta Robinson (Hollins)

August 5, 2013

My thoughts and prayers to the family. His smile is ever present with me. May he REST.

Psalm 34::17,18

August 2, 2013

It can be so hard to face the first year without your loved one, but the love of family and friends can carry you through.

Chanel Thornton

August 2, 2013

Rest in Paradise

keith williamson sr

August 1, 2013

I want to thank you personally gett you and drungo for allowing me to work my magic with him for the last three months of his life and the secrets we shared

Sheri' Jasper

August 1, 2013

I LOVE YOU AND MISSING You EVERY SECOND...ILL NEVER BE THE SAME! R.I.P UNCLE LARue!

Regina Ray

August 1, 2013

May the Hazewood family find comfort in God in this time of lost.

Sheila Conroy (Brumfield)

August 1, 2013

My prayers and thoughts are with the Hazewood family, may God give you comfort, peace, and strength during your time of sorrow.

Will George

August 1, 2013

To Drungo's family my deepest sympathies, may God comfort you at this time, and know he is heaven no longer suffering the pains of cancer. His smile and love will be missed, and know you will be with him in heaven for eternity. God bless

Dan Rice

July 31, 2013

Fond memories of watching him play hearing his awesome introduction by CJ Underwood. Rest in peace!

Michael D. Young

July 31, 2013

What a great teammate! I will Always remember his vibrant smile, great personality and caring heart. He touched the lives of everyone he came in contact with and now, God will have him by His side in Heaven. Yes, he will be truly missed, but I know he would want his beautiful family and friends to not weep, but to continue to enjoy life, because one day We will see and be with him next to God. RIP my "Brother".

chip lambert

July 31, 2013

My sympathies to the family. He was beloved in Charlotte. RIP.

pensi

July 31, 2013

Godspeed Drungo, thanks for some funny memories.

Rick Mayo

July 31, 2013

Rest in Peace my old friend. Never had better friend or team mate!!

Steve Ashley

July 31, 2013

Rest in peace. Thanks for
the memories with Charlotte Os.

Cavisha Williams

July 31, 2013

RIP cousin-in-law

Joel Barman

July 31, 2013

He was a fan favorite in Charlotte. I remember him walking through the stands signing autographs during rain delays and posing for pictures with children. RIP Drungo

Dallas Williams

July 31, 2013

Drungo was a great player but most importantly, a good human being. We lived together 3 consecutive instructional league seasons and in AA Charlotte in 1979. We had big fun, on and off the field! Rest in peace my friend.

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