Sports obituaries

[sox83cubs84]

Nino Escalera, a member of the 1954 Reds, died on 7/3 at age 91.

The first native Puerto Rican to ever play for the Reds, .Escalera played several infield and outfield positions, and also served as a pinch-hitter and pinch-runner.

Dave M.

[sox83cubs84]

Bryan Watson, a defenseman whose 16-season career began in the NHL era of the Original Six and ended in the defunct WHA, died on 7/8 at age 78.

Beginning in 1963-64, he opened his career with 2 seasons with the Canadiens. After playing the next seasons with the Red Wings, he then returned to Montreal for the 1967-68 campaign.

Beginning in 1968-69, he began a string of several years playing for teams from the Second Six, the expansion team that doubled the size of the NHL overnight. He began that run with 50 games for the Oakland Seals before being dealt to the Penguins for his final 18 games for the season. He continued with Pittsburgh until another deal sent him to the Blues for 11 games.

Watson then made a third stop during 1973-74, heading back to Detroit for his last 21 games of the season. He continued his encore with the Original 6 team into 1976-77 when, after 14 games, he was on the move again, this time to Washington. He finished the season with the Capitals, played the entire season in DC the following season, and then split his final go-round (1978-79) between the Caps and the WHA Cincinnati Stingers.

Over that long career, he only led the NHL in a single category once...212 penalty minutes in 1971-72 with the Penguins.

Dave

[sox83cubs84]

Bryan Watson, a defenseman whose 16-season career began in the NHL era of the Original Six and ended in the defunct WHA, died on 7/8 at age 78.

Beginning in 1963-64, he opened his career with 2 seasons with the Canadiens. After playing the next seasons with the Red Wings, he then returned to Montreal for the 1967-68 campaign.

Beginning in 1968-69, he began a string of several years playing for teams from the Second Six, the expansion team that doubled the size of the NHL overnight. He began that run with 50 games for the Oakland Seals before being dealt to the Penguins for his final 18 games for the season. He continued with Pittsburgh until another deal sent him to the Blues for 11 games.

Watson then made a third stop during 1973-74, heading back to Detroit for his last 21 games of the season. He continued his encore with the Original 6 team into 1976-77 when, after 14 games, he was on the move again, this time to Washington. He finished the season with the Capitals, played the entire season in DC the following season, and then split his final go-round (1978-79) between the Caps and the WHA Cincinnati Stingers.

Over that long career, he only led the NHL in a single category once...212 penalty minutes in 1971-72 with the Penguins.

Dave

[sox83cubs84]

Joe Taffoni, an offensive lineman who spent 6 seasons in the NFL, died on 7/26 at age 76.

A 4th round draft pick by the Browns in 1967, he played for Cleveland through 1970. Out of the NFL in '71, he returned to the league with the New York Giants for 1972-73.

Dave M.



On left photo, top row, center.