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Baseball great and former Alamedan Andy Carey passed away on Dec. 15 at the age of 80.

Carey played third base for the New York Yankees, the Kansas City Athletics, the Chicago White Sox and the Los Angeles Dodgers. However, most famously, he was a part of the Alameda High School baseball team.

Carey was born Andrew Arthur Hexem in Oakland on Oct. 18, 1931. Shortly after his birth, Carey’s mother and father divorced. His mother quickly remarried to lawyer Kenneth Carey and the new family set down roots in Alameda. The future baseball star spent his childhood and teenage years in the Island City.

Throughout his time in Alameda however, Carey went by his birth name, Hexem.

After playing baseball for Alameda High, Carey went on to St. Mary’s College intending to be a lawyer. Carey continued to play “America’s Pasttime” throughout his freshman year.

The summer after his first college year, he played semi-professional baseball in Idaho. He intended to continue his studies at St. Mary’s, but the Yankees offered him a $60,000 bonus to come play for them.

From 1950 to 1952, Carey played with the Yankee farm team. He was brought up to the Big Leagues in 1952 to replace shortstop Phil Rizzuto, but instead Carey became a regular on third base. During his time in New York, Carey helped the Yankees win four consecutive pennants and two World Series. He also helped pitcher Don Larsen sustain his perfect game.

In 1960, the Yankees traded Carey to the Athletics. He was traded twice more before retiring in 1962. He hit 64 home runs throughout his career and had a career average of .260.

Carey was married four times through out his life and had three children. After baseball, Carey resided in the Los Angeles area, where he died of Lewy body dementia.