Sports obituaries

[sox83cubs84]

Hall of Famer Lou Brock passed away today (9/6) at age 81.

Brock was among the best base stealers in MLB history. Acquired from the Cubs during the 1964 season for Ernie Broglio, Brock joined the Cardinals and helped them to a World Series championship in 1964. He did so again in 1967, and went to the Fall Classic with them in 1968, where St. Louis was beaten by the Tigers in 7 games.

Brock ended his career with 3,023 hits and 938 SB.

Dave Miedema

[sox83cubs84]

Kim Batiste, a back-up 3B-SS for five seasons in The Show, died on 10/7 at age 52.

Batiste played for the Phillies from 1991-94. He didn't play in MLB in 1995, but returned for one final season in 1996, playing for the Giants.

He appeared in both the NLCS and World Series for the '93 Phillies, smacking a double in the NLCS in his only at-bat in both playoff rounds.

Dave Miedema

[sox83cubs84]

Jimmy Orr, a receiver who played in the NFL from 1958-70, died on 10/27 at age 85.

Orr's career began with the Steelers, for whom he played through 1960, after which he joined the Colts until retirement. He was named to 2 Pro Bowl squads.

Dave Miedema

[sox83cubs84]

Hall of Famer Bob Gibson, one of the most feared and intimidating pitchers of his day, died 10/2 at age 84 due to pancreatic cancer.

Twice the Cy Young Award winner and the NL MVP in 1968, Gibson ended the '68 season with a record low 1.12 ERA. The 5-time 20-game winner also excelled in three World Series, going 7-2 with a 1.89 ERA. Over the course of his MLB career (1959-75, all with the Cardinals), his won/lost record was 251-174, with a 2.91 ERA, with 3,117 strikeouts.

Finally, during Joe Torre's managing days in the National League, he chose Gibson as his pitching coach not only with the Cardinals, but with the Mets and Braves, as well.

Dave Miedema

[sox83cubs84]

Matt Blair, a LB who played his entire NFL career with Minnesota,died on10/22 at age 70.

A defensive star from 1974-85, Blair was part of 6 NFC Pro Bowl teams and was named to 1 All-Pro team. He is among the Vikings greats who are remembered in the team's Ring of Honor.

Dave Miedema

[sox83cubs84]

Bill Mathis, a RB in the old American Football League, died on 10/21 at age 81.

While Mathis was originally drafted in 1960 by the Houston Oilers, he was dealt to the New York Titans (later the Jets) prior to the season opener. His career with New York's AFL team ran from 1960-69, and he played for the Jets in Super Bowl 3.

Dave Miedema

[sox83cubs84]

Rick Baldwin, an RHP for the Mets for 3 seasons, died recently at age 67.

Hurling from the mound for the Mets from 1975-77, he appeared in 105 games...all in relief.

Dave Miedema

[sox83cubs84]

Bob Miller, a RHP who was a member of the Whiz Kids (1950 NL pennant-winning Phillies) died on 11/28 at age 94.

Miller went 11-6 with a 3.57 ERA during that memorable season. His entire 10-year MLB career (1949-58) was spent in Philadelphia. A 1959 Topps card pictures him as a St. Louis Cardinal but never appeared for them in a regular season game.

Dave Miedema

[sox83cubs84]

Lorenzo Taliaferro, a RB out of Coastal Carolina who played for the Ravens for 3 seasons, died 12/16, a week before his 29th birthday. Cause of death appears to be a heart attack. His NFL career ran from 2014-2016.

Dave Miedema

[sox83cubs84]

George Spriggs, a LH hitting OF/PH who played for 5 seasons in the Big Leagues, died on 12/22 at age 83.

Spriggs was an original Royal, playing for Kansas City in both 1969 and 1970. Before that, he saw limited action with the Pirates from 1965-67.

Dave Miedema