Sports obituaries

[sox83cubs84]

Art Ditmar, a RHP who took the mound for two AL teams from 1954-62, died on 6/11 at age 92.

Ditmar's career found him playing for great teams and cellar-dwellers. He came to The Show in '54 with the Philadelphia Athletics, and went with them when the team moved to Kansas City after the season. He led the league in losses in 1956 with a record of 12-22.

An offseason deal sent him to the Yankees, for whom he appeared in 3 World Series (1957-58 and 1960). He began the 1961 season with the Yankees, as well, but was traded back to KC in midseason, and pitched there until the 1962 campaign, when he retired.

Dave M.

[sox83cubs84]

Odie Lowe, a center for the 1949-50 New York Rangers who notched a goal and an assist in 3 games, died recently at age 93.

Dave M.

[sox83cubs84]

Dick "Dirt" Tidrow, a king-sized RHP for 13 years in the Bigs, died on 7/10 at age 74.

Tidrow came up to the Majors in 1972 with the Indians, pitching there from 1972-74. Traded away by the Tribe early in '74, he then spent the rest of his MLB career performing the unusual feat of pitching for both teams in the two largest MLB cities at the time...New York and Chicago. First he was a Yankee from his early '74 arrival until an early 1979 trade sent him to the Cubs, where he came out of the pen through 1982. After that, he took the mound for the White Sox in 1983 before finishing his playing career with the Mets in 1984.

Dave Miedema

[sox83cubs84]

Richie Scheinblum, a reserve OF for the Indians and 5 other teams over an 8-year MLB career, died on 5/10 at age 78.

After spending all or part of his first four seasons with Cleveland, he bounced around, appearing with thee expansion Senators, Royals, Reds, Angels and Cardinals. He was a solid reserve outfielder who only played in at least 100 games in a season thrice (1969 Indians, 102, 1972 Royals, 134 and 1973 Reds/Angels, 106.)

Dave Miedema

[sox83cubs84]

Jim "Mudcat" Grant, a solid RHP in The Show from 1958-71, died on 6/12 at age 85.

Solid in both starting and from the bullpen, Grant finished the 1965 season with a record of 21-7 and an ERA of 3.30 in helping the Twins capture the American League pennant. He also notched 24 saves for Oakland in 1970.

Grant pitched for the Indians and Twins from 1958-67, dealt from the Tribe to Minnesota during th 1964 season. From 1968-71, he bounced around the Majors, taking the mound for the Dodgers, Expos, Cardinals, Pirates and A's.

Dave Miedema

[sox83cubs84]

Gerry Schoen, a RHP who started (and lost) in his only MLB appearance in 1968, died on 5/5 at age 74.

His start took place with the Washington Senators. He did go to spring training in 1969 with the Seattle Pilots, but was cut before the seaso began.

Dave M.

[sox83cubs84]

Jacke Davis, a reserve OF who played in 48 games for the 1962 Phillies, died on 5/30 at age 85.

Dave M.

[sox83cubs84]

Jim Phelan, a guard who played in 4 games for the Philadelphia Warriors during the 1953-54 season did on 6/15 at age 92.

Drafted by the Warriors in the 1951 NBA Draft, he went from college to serve in the Marines during the 51-52 and 52-53 seasons. Later on,he coached basketball at Mt. St. Mary's University.

Dave M.

[sox83cubs84]

Bob Newland, a WR whose 4-year career was spent entirely with the New Orleans Saints, died on 6/30 at age 72.

Drafted out of Oregon by the Saints in the 7th round of the 1971 NFL Draft, Newland spent 1971-74 catching passes for the Saints. He was not always a starter in those 4 seasons, but did play in all 14 Saints regular season contests in his entire career.

Dave M.

[sox83cubs84]

Bob Newland, a WR whose 4-year career was spent entirely with the New Orleans Saints, died on 6/30 at age 72.

Drafted out of Oregon by the Saints in the 7th round of the 1971 NFL Draft, Newland spent 1971-74 catching passes for the Saints. He was not always a starter in those 4 seasons, but did play in all 14 Saints regular season contests in his entire career.

Dave M.