Alabama Sports Hall of Famer, former MLB catcher dead at age 72

Alabama baseball is mourning the loss of a legend. Charlie “Butch” Moore, a Minor High School standout who forged a remarkable 15-season career in the Major Leagues, has died at age 72. His passing was confirmed Sunday by both the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame and the Milwaukee Brewers.

A Storied Legacy

Moore was a rare talent with deep ties to the Yellowhammer State. He stands as one of only 11 Alabama high school products to log at least 15 seasons in the big leagues since the re-integration of baseball in 1947. Beyond his career longevity, he holds a unique place in history as the man who crossed the plate for the final RBI of Hank Aaron’s storied career on October 3, 1976.

The Brewers, the franchise where Moore spent the vast majority of his professional life, held a moment of silence in his honor before Sunday’s clash with the Los Angeles Dodgers at American Family Field. In a statement, the organization lauded him as an “unselfish and versatile player and teammate who was always willing to do whatever he could to help the team win.”

From Minor High to the Majors

Before he was a professional, Moore was a star quarterback at Adamsville’s Minor High School, leading the Tigers to their first-ever playoff appearance and a spot in the 1970 AHSAA Class 4A championship game. While he initially intended to play football for Auburn, the Brewers selected him in the fifth round of the 1971 MLB draft, setting him on a path to greatness.

Moore debuted on September 8, 1973, beginning a 13-season tenure in Milwaukee that defined his career. While he spent 894 games behind the plate, his versatility saw him play 396 games in the outfield. He was a key figure in the 1982 “Harvey’s Wallbangers” squad that captured the American League pennant, where he dazzled with a .385 batting average across 12 postseason appearances.

Historical Feats

Moore etched his name into the record books on October 1, 1980, against the California Angels. He became the second Brewer to hit for the cycle and the first player in MLB history to pair a cycle with two stolen bases in the same game. He retired with a career .261 batting average, 1,052 hits, and 408 RBIs.

In recognition of his contributions, 205focus.com readers previously voted Moore as the catcher for the All-Time Alabama Baseball Team. He remains a celebrated figure on the Brewers’ Wall of Honor and in the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame.