PlayBall! is sad to learn of the passing of one of our own. Curtell Motton, former park rat and outfielder for the Baltimore Orioles, headed for home one last time on Thursday, January 21, following a yearlong battle with cancer.
Curt played on the Alameda sandlots with other legendary Encinal High School heroes, Willie Stargell and Tommy Harper. Motton would go on to play for the University of California at Berkeley and was signed by the Chicago Cubs in the 1961 amateur draft. The next year he was drafted by the O’s in whose organization Motton would spend the next nine years.
Called up to the Show in 1967, Curt would compete for playing time in the Birds all-star outfield consisting of Paul Blair, Don Buford, and future Hall Of Famer, Frank Robinson. He would also play for the Milwaukee Brewers and California Angels during his eight years in the majors (1967-74).
Motton’s best season was 1969 when he hit .303 during the regular schedule, and .500 in his first American League Championship Series against the Minnesota Twins. He would also appear in the World Series that same year against eventual World Champions… the Amazin’ Mets. Curt saw post season action again with Baltimore in 1971 and 1974, returning home in both to play against the Oakland A’s.
So long, Curt! Thanks for the memories.
Way too young for Curt. he was a great man!
Thanks for the memories you mention about Curt. He was a wonderful husband and is greatly missed.
Thank You,
Mrs. Curt (Marti) Motton
Curt Motton, was a super great man that I have great memories of at Encinal High School, most people remember Curt as a great baseball player but I remember Curt as a better Football player than a baseball player, I will neaver forget the Tournment of Champions of Northen California in 1957, I was a underclassman to Curt when we all attend Encinal High School in Alamedia,Calif. in the late 1950’s, I can still feel some of the hits that he and Robert Earl Davis, Freddie Elmore, Tommy Harper and Wilver (Willie) Stargell use to put on the Rookies that came to Encinal. I never got to see him play baseball because I was on the Track team, Curt was very smart in books, he was one of a few that went to a University of California at Berkely at that time. I never saw Curt after high school but I followed his career and watch him play of television. It was such a honor to have know such a great man in this time in space on this earth. Curt bought so much Joy and happinest to thousand of peoples.
I just thank God to have know such a great man and have spent time with him, he will always be my hero and our Alameda family.
Rest in peace my brother for you have done well on this earth, may God bless you and keep.
Your Encinal High School Friend,
Zebedee Pittman
Curt was absolutely the nicest man I ever knew. My family and I loved him dearly and miss him so much. My husband had “MOTTON” and 21 embroidered on a jersey at last Sunday’s game and when I saw it, I cried- During an ballgame. Whew. What a friend. What a man. Thanks for this article. Marti, my prayers are with you. If we miss him like this, I can’t imagine how you must feel. ((((((Hugs))))))
Brooke Collins
Lutherville Congregation
Jehovah’s Witnesses
Hi I never met Curt but I heard a lot about him from his mother Mary Motton, who studied the bible with me as one of Jehovah’s Wittnesses. I was happy to hear that he finally became one of Jehovah’s Witnesses too.
C. Cosby-Sullivan
North Peachtree Congregation
Georgia
As a former Army buddy and Fort Rich Pioneer baseball teammate (1965), I was saddened to here about the loss of my good friend. Met up with him many times whenever the O’s played in New York. Curt was a class guy on and off the field.
My deepest sympathy to you Marti and family.
Dennis “Rick” Oricchio
Thanks so much for your friendship to my husband Curt. He is truly missed along with his infectious laugh.
Marti Motton
Gone but never forgotten.