Sports obituaries

[sox83cubs84]

Another former pro athlete has succumbed to COVID19.

HOF DE Fred Dean passed away on 10/14 at age 68.

Dean played on 2 Super Bowl winners with the 49ers. He was an All-Pro twice and was named to 4 Pro Bowl squads.

Dean came to the NFL in 1975 with the Chargers, remaining there until mid-1981. He then joined the 49ers and stayed there until his retirement after the 1985 season.


Dave Miedema

[sox83cubs84]

Jim Hicks, a reserve OF who played for 3 teams over 5 MLB seasons, died at age 80 on 10/29.

Hicks played for the White Sox from 1964-66, left The Show for 2 seasons, and returned with the Cardinals in 1969. Dealt midseason to the Angels, he finished the year there and, in 1970, finished his MLB career.

Dave Miedema

[sox83cubs84]

Lindy McDaniel, a RH pitcher who primarily came out of the bullpen for 21 seasons, died at age 84 on 11/14.

McDaniel took the mound in a whopping 987 games, beginning in 1955 with the Cardinals and ending in 1975 with the Royals. He finished his career with a record of 141-119 with 174 saves. Between his tours of duty with both Missouri ballclubs, he also took the mound for the Cubs, Giants and Yankees. He led the NL in saves 3 diiferent times and was the leader in games finished in the last of those 3 seasons.


Dave Miedema

[sox83cubs84]

Phil Linz, an infielder for 7 years in The Show, died on 12/9 at age 81.

Linz first played in the Bigs with the Yankees (1962-65). He appeared in both the '63 and '64 World Series for the Yanks, and also during his tour of duty with the 1960s version of the Bronx Bombers earned the wrath of manager Yogi Berra when, after a tough loss, Linz began playing his harmonica on the otherwise silent bus.

Linz spent 1966 and part of '67 with the Phillies. A mid-season deal sent him back to the Big Apple, but with the Mets, for whom he played until his retirement after the 1968 season.

Dave Miedema