Name: Visitation for Tony Lee Cloninger Sr.
Start: 2018-07-29T20:00:00.000Z
End: 2018-07-29T23:00:00.000Z
Location: Denver United Methodist Church

Mr. Tony Lee Cloninger, Sr., age 77, of Denver, passed away on Tuesday, July 24, 2018. His funeral service will be held at 11:00 am on Monday, July 30, 2018 at Denver United Methodist Church with Rev. Bob Lynn and Pastor Mike Devine officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends from 4:00 until 7:00pm on Sunday, July 29, 2018 at Denver United Methodist Church. Mr. Cloninger was born August 13, 1940 in Lincoln County to the late Carl and Edna Lynch Cloninger. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by one brother, Frank Cloninger and one sister, Marie Goodman. Mr. Cloninger was a professional baseball player. His career spanned over 12 years with the major leagues having played with the Milwaukee Braves, the Atlanta Braves, the Cincinnati Reds and his last year in 1972, he played for the St. Louis Cardinals. Although he had a successful pitching career, most people remembered him for being the only pitcher in baseball history to hit two grand slams in one game and nine RBI's, a record that still stands today. Mr. Cloninger returned to baseball as a pitching coach for the New York Yankees from 1987 until 2000, and then worked with the Boston Red Sox as a pitching coach and consultant until 2016. He is survived by three sons, Tony Cloninger Jr. and wife Karen of Denver, NC, Darin Cloninger and wife Angie of Jacksonville, NC and Michael Cloninger and wife Kimberly of Denver, NC; one daughter, Meredith Cloninger Sherrill and husband Ronnie of Maiden, NC; one brother, Ray Cloninger and wife Ann of Denver, NC; nine grandchildren, Erich Cloninger, Andrea Wilson, Jayme Cloninger, Ryan Cloninger, Adam Cloninger, Taylor Cloninger, Trent Cloninger, Brittani Sherrill Franklin and Byron Sherrill; four great grandchildren, Norah Cloninger, Lennon Cloninger, Drake Wilson and Mia Franklin. We have lost our hero and best friend. Adequate words cannot match our grief. We can only know that it must match our love for him. To say he was a great man is an understatement. No one loved his family and had more loyalty for the people he loved. He was a trailblazer and a role model. He left a great legacy. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to East Lincoln Optimist Club, PO Box 39, Denver, NC 28037.

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Published by Charlotte Observer on Jul. 28, 2018.

Memories and Condolences
for Tony Cloninger

18 Entries

Don Schwall

August 7, 2018

I was the winning pitcher in that first game .Toney was terrific that night Ilater became his teamate he was agreat athlete and an even better person Don Schwall

Heartfelt Condolences!

Annette Shuford

August 2, 2018

Heartfelt condolences to you Tony Jr. and Karen, and your entire family. Your Keller Williams family is here for you!

July 31, 2018

Mike and Kim we are thinking of you and your whole family. Love Carri

Mike Cubbage

July 31, 2018

My condolences to Tony's family and love ones. I had the pleasure of coaching with him in Boston, and he quickly became one of my favorites and a good friend! He left the team to get his cancer treatment and I was so upset when his pitching coach job was no longer his, upon his return. Tony handled it with class and dignity and remained loyal to the Red Sox the rest of his career.
He was so humble with such a gentile warm soul. I loved talking baseball with him and hearing all his great baseball stories. He had a great playing career and touched many lives as a coach! I was so sad to learn of his passing- he will be missed- and I am thankful that I knew this really good man!!!
Cubby

Tracie

July 30, 2018

We are so sorry for your loss, Tony Sr. was an amazing man and left a legacy in the hearts of so many. Please know you are in our thoughts and prayers.

July 30, 2018

I remember the fear in the minds of the Bandys High School baseball team when Rock Springs came to play us. Tony was great and all of us are so proud of his career. May God bless all of his family members and friends. Our loss is heaven's gain! George Simmons

LARRY WILSON

July 30, 2018

RIP TONY

Jeff Cloninger

July 30, 2018

Sorry to hear of his passing. He was a distant cousin of mine and I followed his career for that reason. He pitched against my hometown Cubs in the first MLB game I ever attended when he was a Milwaukee Brave.

Even though Tony hasn't pitched in decades I am still asked on a regular basis if we are related. People bring up the two grand slam game all the time, but folks forget what a great pitcher he was until injuries slowed down his career.

Thoughts and prayers go out to his family.

Carl Taylor

July 30, 2018

Tony was one of the truly "GOOD GUYS" in baseball and in life. He is responsible for giving me a chance to extend my career in baseball and I will always be indebted to him. Condolences to his wife and family. Rest in peace my friend! Carl Taylor

Bill Lee

July 30, 2018

Tony was a fine pitcher & competitor. He has become a Braves legand with both his pitching and hitting skills. Always enjoyed seeing him throw. Sincerest condolences to his family and friens...Braves Nation has lost a good one.

Bill Edawards

July 29, 2018

My name is Bill Edwards. I have been an Atlanta Braves fan since 1957..I remember when My Friend William C. Bartholomay Former owner Moved the Team to Atanta . I also was listening to the Famous Game when Tony Hit 2 Grand slams . And beat Juan Marshall. May Tony rest in Peace

July 29, 2018

America is a better place because of baseball and baseball is a better game because of Tony Cloninger. Thank you Tony. And all our love and respect to your fine family. Ann and Bill Pope, Montgomery, Alabama

July 29, 2018

enjoyed our spring break in tampa. jon

Danielle Guthrie

July 29, 2018

Mr. Cloninger was a great man. He will be missed. All the memories we have of him are wonderful. He added so much joy to our family! He got me a personalized autographed photo with Derek Jeter for my 16th birthday. I'll never forget that. ❤

Richard McHugh

July 28, 2018

Prayers for the Cloninger family, friends, associates. A great baseball pitcher, hitter abnd coach.

Gil s

July 28, 2018

I was at Atlanta Fulton County Stadium when Tony went all 13 innings giving up only 3 runs against the Pirates in the first game after the Braves moved south. I also heard the 2 grand slams on Sunday afternoon on radio. Rest in peace Big Guy.

Brant Hart

July 28, 2018

So sorry to hear about Tony's death. I will always remember listening to the Braves game on WSOC-AM 930 when Tony hit two grand slams at Candlestick Park. It had never been done in an NL game. The fact that a pitcher did it made the feat more special. Thank you Cloninger family for sharing Tony with us.

Richard Phelps

July 28, 2018

My condolences Darren to you and your siblings. I am honored to have met "Big Tony." I will always remember fishing with him and the free baseball tickets. You have much to be proud of in him and he no doubt was proud of each of you and his grandchildren.

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