Sports obituaries

[sox83cubs84]

Angel Mangual, a member of 3 World Series winning teams in Oakland (1972-74), died on 2/16 at age 73.

After a mid-September call-up in which Mangual played in 6 games for the 1969 Pirates, he re-emerged in The Show with the A's in 1971, and continued to hold a roster spot through June of 1976, when he was released.

Dave Miedema

[sox83cubs84]

Lew Krausse, a RHP best remembered for his time on the mound during the 1960s for the Athletics in both Kansas City and Oakland, died on 2/16 at age 77.

Krausse first pitched in the Majors in 1961. After two seasons in the bushes, he returned to the A's in 1964, and pitched for them through 1969. It was with them that he enjoyed his best season in 1966 (14-9, 2.99).

He was dealt to the Brewers and pitched there in 1970-71. Over his final three seasons, he took the mound for three different ballclubs (1972 Red Sox, 1973 Cardinals...1 game and 1974 Braves.

Dave Miedema

[sox83cubs84]

Juan Pizarro, a LHP with 18 seasons in the Majors, died 2/18 at age 84.

Pizarro first appeared in the Bigs in 1957 with the Milwaukee Braves, and was a member of what is still the only World Series winning team in Milwaukee history. He remained with the Braves through 1960, after which he was traded to the White Sox, where he pitched through 1966, and had has best season in 1964 (19-9, 2.56).

From 1967-74, he worked for several different ballclubs, starting with the Pirates, and followed by the Red Sox, Indians, A's, Cubs and Astros before ending this time span like he began it...with the Pirates for 7 games to end his pitching career.

He was selected to 2 All-Star Games, both as a member of the AL team (1963-64).

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]

Stan Williams, a RHP whose career in the Bigs lasted 14 years as a pitcher and was extended due to coaching, died on 2/20 at age 84.
From 1958-72 Williams took the mound for 6 different MLB teams: Dodgers (1958-62), Yankees (1963-64), Indians (1965-69), Twins (1970 and 46 games in 1971), Cardinals (10 games in 1971) and Red Sox (1972).

Williams was one of the hurlers on 4 different pennant-winning ballclubs (1959 and 1962-64), with his team (Dodgers) winning the World Series in '59.

Dave Miedema

[sox83cubs84]

Doug Wikerson, a guard in the AFC for 15 seasons, all but the first with the Chargers, died on 2/22 at age 73.

Wilkerson, whose rookie season was spent with the Oilers, was named to 3 AFC Pro Bowl teams and selected once for the All-Pro Team. He wore uniform #63 for his entire NFL career.

Dave Miedema

[sox83cubs84]

Louis Nix, a DL who starred at Notre Dame but had a limited NFL career, was found dead by police on 2/27. He was 29.

Nix was a 3rd round pick of the Texans in 2014, but didn't mae the cut. He did play in 4 games in 2015 for the Giants.

Dave Miedema

[sox83cubs84]

Wynn Hawkins, a RHP who served as both a starter and reliever for the Indians from 1960-62, died on 2/11, nine days shy of his 85th birthday.

Hawkins was the pitcher who yielded Ted Williams' 500th HR

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]

Mark Pavelich, a member of the 1980 US Olympic Hockey Team (The Miracle On Ice) died recently at age 63.

After his Olympics success, he moved on to the NHL, playing for 7 seasons with the Rangers, North Stars and Sharks.

Dave Miedema

[KDolch]

Hey Dave,
Its been quite along time since we have had contact. I bought a few things from you back in the day. Just found this site and found you. I am always looking for Bernie Carbo game used items as well as Charlie O'Brien and Bill Wegman. Let me know if you have any or have any leads. Hope to hear from you soon. Thanks. Ken

[sox83cubs84]

Rheal Cormier, a LHP for several MLB teams, died on3/8 at age 53, a victim of cancer.

A native of Canada, Cormier pitched for 16 seasons in The Show. He is best remembered as a Cardinal (1991-94) and as a Phillie (2001-06). His career also had stops in Boston (1995, 1999-2000), Montreal (1966-67) and Cincinnati (2006-07).

Dave Miedema

[sox83cubs84]

Joe Altobelli, best remembered as the manager of the 1983 World Series winning Baltimore Orioles, died on 3/3 at age 88.

Altobelli's best season was also his first go-round managing the O's through mid-1985. Before that, he was the field boss for the Giants (1977-79) and afterwards served as an interim manager for the Cubs for 1 game in 1991.

Joe's MLB playing career as a LF-PH-1B was sporadic, with stints with Cleveland in both 1955 and 1957 and his last hurrah as a player with the Twins in 1961.

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]

Al Naples, a SS whose MLB career was limited to starting two consecutive games for the 1949 Browns, died on 2/26 at age 94.

Dave Miedema