Legendary former baseball player Hamilton Richardson dies at 85

THE NETHERLANDS--Former baseball player Hamilton Richardson has died at the age of 85, Sparta Rotterdam announced on its website. The club did not disclose a cause of death. Richardson is widely regarded as one of the top players to compete in the Dutch baseball league.

Richardson was born on St. Maarten and moved to the Netherlands in 1962. He played in the Netherlands from 1963 to 1974 with Sparta, winning the Dutch championship nine times.

Alongside Simon Arindell and Hudson John, both also born in the former Netherlands Antilles, Richardson formed a celebrated trio credited with helping lift Sparta back to the top level of Dutch baseball.

Nicknamed “Hotshot Hammy,” Richardson also represented the Netherlands national team on multiple occasions. He was named Most Valuable Player at the 1969 championship tournament and was selected as Best Outfielder at the 1970 World Championships.

In recognition of his impact on Sparta’s baseball program, Richardson was made a member of merit in 1988. He was also honored with a tile on the Rotterdam Walk of Fame, now located at the Neptunus Family Stadium.

Sparta said the first team will wear black armbands at its next match. Weather permitting, that is expected Sunday during the home game against Heracles Almelo.

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