Sports obituaries

[sox83cubs84]

MLB, basketball, and NCAA FB:

Jim Wynn, whose small physique and immense slugging power for the Colt .45s/Astros and 4 other teams died on 3/26 at age 78.

Standing only 5-9" tall and weighing just 165 lbs. earned the nickname "The Toy Cannon" due to his very healthy HR totals every season in Houston, playing half of his games in the pitcher-friendly Astrodome,

Wynn was dealt to the Dodgers, with whom he played in 1974-75. After spending the Bi-centennial year playing for Atlanta, he went briefly to the AL in 1977, splitting his final MLB season between Milwaukee and the Yankees.

One of the most popular Harlem Globetrotters of all-time, Curly Neal, died on 3/26 at age 77.

Neal, whose real first name was Fred, played in over 6,000 games from 1963-85, He was among the Globetrotter players immortalized in a Saturday morning network cartoon show during the late 1960s and early 1970s.

Bryce Beekman, a 22-year old DB with the Washington State NCAA football team, died on 3/24. Cause of death has yet to be announced, but it has been announced that no foul play was involved. Officers responded to a 911 call from Beekman's apartment, where he was concerned about "breathing problems"

Dave Miedema

[sox83cubs84]

Glenn Beckert, a 4-time NL All-Star who played most off his career with the Cubs, died 4/12 at age 79.

A member of America's most revered 2nd place ballclub (1969 Cubs), Beckert played for the Cubs from 1965-73. Over the winter, he was traded to the Padres for OF Jerry Morales, and spent 1974-75 in San Diego before hanging 'em for good.

A lifetime .283 hitter, Beckert finished 2nd in the NL in 1971 by hitting .342.

He also was among the toughest men in baseball to strike out during his career.

Dave Miedema

[sox83cubs84]

Bobby Winkles, who managed both the Angels and the A's in the 1970s and skippered Arizona State in NCAA baseball, died 4/17 at age 90, He also served as a coach for the White Sox.

Dave Miedema

[sox83cubs84]

Russ Washington, a tackle who played for the Chargers for 15 seasons, died on 8/5 at age 74.

A first round draft choice (and 4th overall pick) in the 1968 NFL Draft, Washington who played his college ball at Missouri, quickly became a fixture in the team's starting lineup, and stayed there as one through most of his pro career. which ended in 1982. Over the time framed of 1974-79, he played in 5 of the 6 NFL Pro Bowls, missing only 1976.

Dave M.

[sox83cubs84]

Joe Walton, an end who caught passes in the NFL from 1957-63 and later embarked on a long coaching career, died on 8/15 at age 85.

Drafted out of Pitt by the Reskins in the 2nd round of the 1957 NFL Draft, Walton caught passes for the Redskins through 1960, after which he was dealt to the New York Giants, where he did the same until calling it quits as a player after the 1963 season.

After that he began a coaching career in the NFL, the top level of which was being the Head Coach of the Jets from 1983-89. Before that he worked as an offensive coordinator for the Giants (1971-73), Redskins (1978-80) and Jets (1981-82). After being let go by the Jets as their head coach, he went back to his specialty of running the offense, this time for the Steelers in 1990-91.

Dave M.

[sox83cubs84]

Ken Clark, a punter for the Rams in 1979 who was bor in England and went to high school and college in Canada, died on 8/8 at age 73.

Dave

[sox83cubs84]

Solly Drake, an OF who played in the Majors in 1956 and 1959, died on 8/18 at age 90.

After spending 1956 with the Cubs, he went back to the minors, resurfacing in The Show for the final time in 1959, playing in 9 games with the Dodgers before being dealt to the Phillies and ending his MLB playing career with 67 games there.

His brother is Sammy Drake, a back-up IF who was one of the original Mets in 1962, after playing for the Cubs the two previous seasons.

Dave M.

[sox83cubs84]

Tunch Ilkin, a native of Turkey who played all but one NFL game of his career with the Steelers, died on 9/4 at age 63.

Drafted out of Indiana State by Pittsburgh in the 6th round of the 1980 NFL Draft, Ilkin played at 3 different offensive line positions from 1980-92 in the black and gold, going to 2 Pro Bowls.

His final NFL game, and his only NFL game in 1993 was wearing the uniform of the Packers.

Dave

[sox83cubs84]

Steve Riley, a tackle who played all 11 of his NFL seasons with the Vikings, died on 9/16 at age 68.

Having played his college ball at USC, the Vikings made him their 1st round pick (25th overall) in the 1974 NFL draft. Wearing #78 from start to finish, he began playing that autumn and continued through 1984.

Dave M.