Editing Richie Ashburn (section)

== Death and Legacy ==

Ashburn died on September 9, 1997, in New York, following a game at Shea Stadium. His death prompted mourning that demonstrated how deeply Philadelphia had embraced him across both careers. The broadcasts that fell silent, the memories that obituaries recalled, and the tributes from fans who felt they had lost a friend rather than merely a broadcaster all confirmed that his significance transcended his statistics or his voice.<ref name="jordan"/>

His legacy encompasses both the playing career that the Hall of Fame recognized and the broadcasting career that created connections statistics cannot measure. The Phillies retired his number 1, honoring a player and broadcaster whose contributions extended across four decades. Ashburn represents the best of what athletes can offer cities—excellence during their playing careers and continued presence afterward that maintains connection beyond the years of peak performance.<ref name="westcott"/>