Sports obituaries

[sox83cubs84]

Ralph Backstrom, a center who played for 6 Stanley Cup Champion teams while a member of the Montreal Canadiens, died on 2/7 at age 83. Cause of death has not been announced.

Ralph first played for Montreal during the 1956-57 season, and became a regular as of the 1958-59 NHL campaign. He continued with Montreal through the midst of the 1970-71 season, when he was dealt to the Kings. He was part of the Los Angeles until late in1972-73, when he was dealt to the Blackhawks and played there for 16 games.

In 1973-74, he still played with Chicago...but for the WHA Cougars, where he also played in 1974-75. The 1975-76 season found him with the WHA Denver Spurs, and was sent to the New England Whalers (also WHA) in mid-season, ending his pro career there the following season.

He led or was tied for the league lead in games played 4 times (3 NHL, 1 WHA).

Dave Miedema

[sox83cubs84]

John Roach, a QB/DB who played for 3 different NFL teams over 7 seasons, died 2/18 at age 87.

Drafted by the Chicago Cardinals in the 3rd round of the 1956 NFL Draft, he played for the team that season. After a 2-year absence, he returned to the Cardinals in 1959, and relocated to St. Louis when the Cards moved in 1960.

Roach then spent the next 3 seasons with the Packers, the first two found his Packers winning the NFL Championship. His final year (1964) was spent with Dallas.

Dave Miedema

[sox83cubs84]

Irv Cross, a CB who played for the Eagles (1961-65 and 1969) and the Rams (1966-68) died on 2/28 at age 81.

Cross was a member of 2 Pro Bowl teams and wore #27 his entire NFL career.

Dave Miedema

[sox83cubs84]

Tommy LaSorda, a HoFer based on his successful tenure as manager of the Dodgers (1976-1996), died at age 93 on 1/7.

Over that span, LaSorda was named NL Manager of the Year twice, won the World Series twice and captured the NL pennant on 4 occasions.

His playing career as a pitcher was short...cups of coffee with Brooklyn in 1954-55 and 15 games with the Kansas City A's in 1956.

After his MLB managing career was over, he took the helm of the 1998 USA Olympic baseball team, and guided them to a gold medal.

Dave Miedema

[sox83cubs84]

Ron Johnson, who had three short stints in MLB, died on 1/26 at age 64.

A multi-position player (C/1B/RF), Johnson was briefly with the Royals in 1982-83 and the Expos in 1984.

Dave Miedema

[sox83cubs84]

Stan Palys, a LF-PH who played for 4 seasons in the NL, died on 2/8 at age 90.

A September call-up for the Phillies in 1953 and '54, he spent much of 1955 in Phillies pinstripes before being dealt to the Redlegs, where he finished the season and stayed on the roster in 1956 before he hung up his spikes.

Dave Miedema

[sox83cubs84]

John Mendenhall, a DT/NT who spent all but his final season with the New York Giants, died on 2/26 at age 72.

Mendenhall was a Giant from 1972-79, ending his playing career in 1980 with the Lions.

Dave Miedema

[sox83cubs84]

Eulogio (Frankie) de la Cruz, a RHP who pitched for 4 different teams in 4 MLB seasons, died on 3/14, 2 days after his 37th birthday.

He pitched for the Tigers (2007), Marlins (2008), Padres (2009) and Brewers (2011), finishing his MLB log with a career high of 11 appearances in one season (2011), exclusively in relief except for 1 start in 2008, and retired with a 0-0 won-lost ledger and no saves.

Dave Miedema

[sox83cubs84]

Ben Jordan, a king sized RHP for the University of Kentucky,, died on 1/11 at age 22.

Jordan took the mound for the Wildcats in 10 games in 2019.

Dave Miedema

[sox83cubs84]

Ted Thompson, a LB for 10 years with the Houston Oilers, and later an NFL executive for 13 years, died on 1/22 at age 68.

Thompson spent 1975-84 on the Oilers' roster, and in addition to playing linebacker, he also had a very brief stint with the team in 180 where he acted as a kicker, going 4-for-4 in extra point attempts.

After that, he spent 13 seasons in the Packers' front office as VP/GM/Director of Football Operations, and was part of a Super Bowl winner in that time.

Dave Miedema