MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- The Cleveland Indians via Twitter on Christams night confirmed the death of long-time Indians broadcaster Mike Hegan -- who was a former Brewers announcer.
James "Michael" Hegan was 71.
Hegan began his career playing professional baseball with the Yankees in 1964. He signed a contract with the Yankees after high school, and went on to a 12-year Major League career -- also playing for the Seattle Pilots, Milwaukee Brewers and Oakland Athletics as an outfielder and first baseman.
Hegan played in the 1964 World Series with Oakland.
In 1969 he hit the first home run in Seattle Pilots history in his first at bat and was the Pilots’ only representative in the All-Star Game, a distinction that never will be duplicated.
After only one year in Seattle, the Pilots moved to Milwaukee and became the Brewers.
Much like his father, Jim Hegan, a great defensive catcher for the Indians in the 1940’s and 50’s, Mike Hegan was known for his glove.
In 1971 and ‘72 he set the Major League record of 178 consecutive errorless games at first base, a record that stood until Kevin Youkilis of Boston eclisped it in 2007.
Hegan retired in 1977 with a .242 lifetime batting average and entered broadcasting. He was the television color commentator for the Milwaukee Brewers from 1977 to 1988.
Hegan was hired by the Cleveland Indians back in 1989, and served as a commentator for the team on radio and television.
In 2007, he worked exclusively on the Indians radio broadcasts.
In 2012, he left the broadcast booth for a role with the Indians as an alumni ambassador.
According to Hegan's Wikipedia page, he passed away at his home in Hilton Head, South Carolina on Christmas Day as a result of heart failure.
Hegan's Wikipedia page says heart problems had forced Hegan to retire from broadcasting.