Paul Sinnott "Lefty" Doyle

HURON — Paul Sinnott "Lefty" Doyle passed in the early hours of the morning of Wednesday, May 6, 2020 at the age of 80 years old. His wife and soulmate, Betty Sue Doyle, was faithfully at his side when he transitioned comfortably and peacefully. On Oct. 2, 1939, Paul became the ninth of what would eventually become 10 children of Theodore Patrick Doyle and Agnes Regina McCluskey-Doyle of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. In 1946, Theodore and Agnes moved their family, brothers Theodore Jr., Michael and John, and sisters, Agnes, Patsy, Dolly, Gerry, Betty and Judy, to Huron, Ohio where they would make their home in the southern Lake Erie area known as Rye Beach. Growing up in a beachside house, owned formerly by shoe mogul Buster Brown, Paul and his siblings lived an idyllic, humble, and very midwestern upbringing he would refer to fondly throughout his life. And despite later living a majority of his years in Southern California, Paul would always seem to come off as a polite "Ohio Boy" at heart. Upon reaching Huron High School, Paul's apparent knack for sports became undeniable. But he had no idea his talent for baseball would eventually change his life. In spite of his average 5-foot, 10-inch frame, Paul became a dominant power pitcher, eventually winning Ohio all-state honors in 1958. As fate would have it, the next year Paul would go from playing for the Huron High School Tigers to a bigger Tigers organization … in Detroit. In 1959, Paul signed his first contract and now his 14-year professional baseball career was underway. Paul pitched professionally for the Detroit Tigers, New York Yankees, San Francisco Giants, Houston Astros, Atlanta Braves, California Angels, and San Diego Padres where he accumulated 1,344 strikeouts in 1,534.1 innings pitched. "Lefty" was known to throw very hard and from an unorthodox release point, which created a huge challenge if a baserunner ever found themselves on first base. Paul's pick-off move, heralded as one of the most devastating in the history of the game, was so effective, he would sometimes intentionally walk a batter just so he could throw them out on first when they would lead off the base. Former teammate and writer Mike Floyd says, "I would be playing right field and he (Paul) would come in to pitch as a reliever with men on base and instead of getting a hitter out, he would get the out by picking off the runner." As a result, in all the years and countless games of baseball that Paul was a part of, not a single runner was able to steal a base when he was on the mound. Paul's professional career allowed him the privilege of playing alongside legends like Hank Aaron, Willie Mays, Nolan Ryan, Orlando Cepeda, and Phil Niekro. And with Paul's unprecedented knack for dates and facts, he could quickly recite his experiences pitching against Hall of Fame opponents like Frank Robinson, Joe Morgan, Roberto Clemente, and CarlYastrzemski. Paul claimed his hardest matchup was Pittsburgh Pirates great, Willie Stargell … whom Doyle managed to strike out every time they faced one another in the Atlanta Braves' 1969 pennant run. Throughout his life, Paul would continue to receive letters and baseball memorabilia to sign and return to fans. He always marveled that even though he wasn't ahousehold name, his connection to baseball somehow touched these people. After an injury forced an early retirement from Major League Baseball, Paul made a transition into the business world, partnering with his brother and best friend, John Doyle. For the next several years, they would operate a successful importing and exporting business in Long Beach, California focusing on large truck components. Paul and the love of his life, Sue, would settle their family in nearby Huntington Beach where they have lived ever since. In his later years, Paul spent his semi-retirement helping Sue with her boutique home store, "Old Vintage Cottage" in Seal Beach, California. Paul loved playing golf with his old baseball friends, running along the beach, and riding his Harley Davidson Road King up and down the Pacific coast. But perhaps Paul was most at home at family gatherings where his natural gifts as a storyteller came to life. He would love to hold court in the center of one of his many beloved relative's birthdays and vividly recall childhood stories with uncanny details and character that put anyone within his radius right there at the scene. Paul will be lovingly remembered not only for his selfless generosity and humble pragmatism, but also for his wickedly dry sense of humor and love of a good laugh. But among Paul's many achievements, he always knew his greatest was having Betty Sue Doyle at his side through their 58 years of marriage. Their inspiring love story has been a tapestry of great adventures, tons of family, and even more belly laughs. Paul is survived by Sue and their three adult children, Paul Scott Doyle, Kelly Wilkins, and Craig Doyle, and his five grandchildren, Jacob, Brennan, Ella, Liam, and Joshua. As per Paul's wishes, his ashes will be spread in the Pacific Ocean he loved so much in a private, intimate family ceremony. Once the world has stabilized from the coronavirus pandemic and it is safe to do so, the family plans to hold a memorial celebration of Paul's extraordinary life at a later date.