Sports obituaries

[sox83cubs84]

Howie Meeker, a post-WW2 right wing for the Maple Leafs, died on 11/8 at age 97.

Meeker played for Toronto from the 1946-47 season through 1953-54. He was part of 4 Stanley Cup Championship Maple Leafs squads.

Dave Miedema

[sox83cubs84]

Jake Scott, a DB for the undefeated 1972 Dolphins, died 11/19 at age 75.

His Super Bowl performance in the Dolphins 14-7 victory over the Redskins at the end of that historic season earned him game MVP honors. He was also part of the Miami Super Bowl winners the following season (against the Vikings), as well as the 1971 AFC Champions, who were bested in that Super Bowl by Dallas.

Jake played for 9 seasons in the NDFL; 6 for the Dolphins (1970-75) followed by 3 with the Redskins (1976-78).

Dave Miedema

[sox83cubs84]

Charley Pride, a one-time Negro League and Minor League ballplayer who went on to a lucrative career in country music, died on 12/12 at age 86.

Dave Miedema

[sox83cubs84]

Derek Aucoin, a RHP whose MLB career lasted all of 5 days, died on 12/26 at age 50.

His two appearances on the mound, both for the Montreal Expos, were on 5/21/96 and 5/25/96.

Dave Miedema

[sox83cubs84]

Hank Aaron, MLB's all-time HR king for over 30 years and still the true HR king in the eyes of many, died on 1/22 at age 86.

Playing for the Braves in both Milwaukee and Atlanta for 21 years (1954-74) and then heading back to Milwaukee to wind down his career with the Brewers (1975-76), "Hammerin' Hank" clobbered 755 HR in his MLB career. He led the NL in hits twice, and led in both home runs and RBI on 4 different occasions and won 2 NL batting titles. His 2,297 RBI is still #1 on the all-time MLB list.

Aaron also won 3 Gold Gloves, an NL MVP award (1957) and is the only man in MLB annals to be a member of an All-Star Game team 25 times. Keep in mind that from 1959-1962, there were 2 All-Star Games each season.

He is known for wearing uniform #44 for nearly his entire career, the only exception being his rookie season of 1954, when he wore #5.

Dave Miedema

[sox83cubs84]

Ray Daviault, a RHP from Canada whose only season in The Show was with the 1962 Mets, died on 11/6 at age 86.

Dave Miedema

[sox83cubs84]

International soccer legeend Diego Maradona (from Argentina) died of a heart attack on 11/25 at age 60.

Dave Miedema

[sox83cubs84]

Terry Duerod, a small forward/shooting guard, who played for four seasons in the NBA, died 11/13 at age 64 after a bout with leukemia.

Drafted by Detroit in 1979, he spent that full season as a Piston. In 1980-81, he started the season with Dallas, but then joined Boston and was part of their 1980-81 NBA Championship team.

He stayed with the Celtics for 1981-82, as well, before wrapping up his career in The Association with 5 games for Golden State in 1982-83.

Dave Miedema

[sox83cubs84]

Marv Marinovich, a guard who was the captain of the 1962 NCAA Champion USC Trojans, died on 12/3 at age 81.

Marv played in one AFL game for the Raiders in 1965. His son is Todd Marinovich.

Dave Miedema

[sox83cubs84]

Kevin Greene, a HOF LB/DE who played for 4 different NFL over 15 years, died on 12/21 at age 58. Cause of death has nott yet been announced.

Greene spent 8 seasons with the Rams (1985-92), after which he played for the Steelers (1993-95), and for the 49ers (1997), sandwiched between 2 tours of duty with Carolina (1996, 1998-99).

The Auburn alum, who wore #91 for his entire NFL career, was named to 5 Pro Bowl squads and was named to the HOF All-1990s Team.

Dave Miedema