Sports obituaries

[sox83cubs84]

Bart Johnson, a pitcher whose entire career was spent with the White Sox, died on 4/22 at age 70.

Johnson served both out of the bullpen and as a starter between 1969 and 1977 (did not play in 1975). His best season was 1974, when he went 10-4 with a 2.74 ERA and 8 complete games.

Dave Miedema

[sox83cubs84]

Dick Lucas, an end who played for the 1960 NFL Champion Eagles, died on 4/29 as a result of COVID19. He was 86.

After appearing in 4 games for the 1958 Steelers, he made his mark with the Eagles from 1960-63.

Dave Miedema

[sox83cubs84]

Hall of Famer Don Shula, a coach who won 2 Super Bowls, died on 5/4 at age 90.

His head coaching career began with the pre-merger Baltimore Colts from 1963-69. The following season he took over the head coaching slot for the Miami Dolphins, and continued in that position through 1995.

Prior to coaching, Shula was a DB in the NFL for the Browns (1951-52), the Colts (1953-56) and the Redskins (1957)

Dave Miedema

[sox83cubs84]

Matt Keough, a RHP from 1977-86 (except for '84) with Oakland and 4 other MLB teams, died on 5/1 at age 64.

One of the Five Aces on Oakland in the early 1980s who had their arms pretty much ruined due to manager Billy Martin overworking them, Keough posted a 16-13 record with a 2.92 ERA and 20 CG in 1980. He was dealt to the Yankees in 1983, then finished his MLB career with the Cardinals (1985) and finally the Cubs and Astros in 1986.

Dave Miedema

[KGoldin]

Dave are you OK?
not like you to go a week without a sports Obit unless you are not well

[sox83cubs84]

Dave are you OK?
not like you to go a week without a sports Obit unless you are not well

I haven't been for the last 9 days, although I'm now getting somewhat back to normal. I had an illness which completely sapped me of strength and stamina, as well as other issues, Most of the other problems (fever, loss of appetite) have subsided, but I'm still well under full physical strength. This is still a big improvement from a week ago, where my wife had to help me get out bed to go the loo and I was unable to sit up in a chair for more than 10 minutes. All that is now in the rear view mirror.

I appreciate the concern, Ken, and thanks for the contact.

Dave Miedema

[sox83cubs84]

Bob Watson, a quality 1B and corner OF from 1966-84, and who went on to success in both team and league front offices, died 5/14 at 74.

After very brief call-ups in 1966 and '67, Watson was up to stay in 1968 with the Astros, remaining one of their key ballplayers through 1979, when he split the season between Houston and Boston. Joining the Yankees in 1980. he remained in the Bronx until early 1982, when he was dealt to the Braves, finishing his career with them in 1984.

Two oddball trivia facts about Watson:

1) He was credited with scoring MLB all-time one millionth run, and

2) He made a cameo appearance in full uniform during a scene at the Astrodome in "The Bad News Bears in Breaking Training.:

Dave Miedema

[sox83cubs84]

Larry Gowell, a RHP who appeared in 2 games for the 1972 Yankees, died on 5/11 at age 72.

Dave Miedema

[sox83cubs84]

Ben Johnson, a RHP with the Cubs in 1959 and 1960, died on 5/8, just a week before his 89th birthday.

Dave Miedema

[sox83cubs84]

Jerry Sloan, a Pro Basketball HoFer who had a decades-long love affair with pro basketball, died on 5/22 at age 78.

One of the top defensive players of his era, Sloan's playing career began in 1965-66 with the Baltimore Bullets. The following season found him taken by the Bulls in the expansion draft, and he spent the next 10 seasons playing rough and tough defense for the team which, for most of his time there, was a perennial contender

Sloan began his NBA coaching career with the Bulls, starting in 1979-80 and staying on the job until the team fired him in the middle of the 1981-82 season. After a few years off, he came aboard with the Utah Jazz, taking the role of an assistant coach beginning in 1985, and filling it until early in the 1988-89 campaign, when he was promoted to Head Coach. There he stayed through the 20110-11 season, and, near the end of his career, was named to the Pro BSKB HoF for his coaching career in 2009.

The saddest factor of his career in the NBA in both roles was that he never played on nor coached a team that won the NBA Championship. His closest chances ended in the NBA Finals in 1997 and 1998, where his Jazz team was defeated in the Finals by the Chicago Bulls, with the two Bulls Finals wins capping off their second Three-Peat.

Dave Miedema

[sox83cubs84]

Jim Tucker, a power forward who played in the NBA during the 1950s, died on 5/14 at age 87.

Tucker, who played in 3 seasons with the Syracuse Nationals, had his debut in the Association on 1/30/1955. Although he only appeared in 20 regular season games, he experienced what many NBA legends never did...being part off an NBA Championship team in 1954-55, his rookie season. He played in 70 games in 1955-56, and then ended his career after 9 games in 1956-57.

Dave Miedema





Jim Tucker on left, dark uniform.

[sox83cubs84]

[QUOTE=sox83cubs84;412932]Jerry Sloan, a Pro Basketball HoFer who had a decades-long love affair with pro basketball, died on 5/22 at age 78.

One of the top defensive players of his era, Sloan's playing career began in 1965-66 with the Baltimore Bullets. The following season found him taken by the Bulls in the expansion draft, and he spent the next 10 seasons playing rough and tough defense for the team which, for most of his time there, was a perennial contender

Sloan began his NBA coaching career with the Bulls, starting in 1979-80 and staying on the job until the team fired him in the middle of the 1981-82 season. After a few years off, he came aboard with the Utah Jazz, taking the role of an assistant coach beginning in 1985, and filling it until early in the 1988-89 campaign, when he was promoted to Head Coach. There he stayed through the 20110-11 season, and, near the end of his career, was named to the Pro BSKB HoF for his coaching career in 2009.

The saddest factor of his career in the NBA in both roles was that he never played on nor coached a team that won the NBA Championship. His closest chances ended in the NBA Finals in 1997 and 1998, where his Jazz team was defeated in the Finals by the Chicago Bulls, with the two Bulls Finals wins capping off their second Three-Peat.

Dave Miedema[/QUOTE

I couldn't get a photo to take on the original post, but am adding this one here.

[sox83cubs84]

Ken Retzer, a catcher who spent 4 season with the expansion Washington Senators, mostly as a back-up, died on 5/18 at age 76.

Retzer was also traded to the Twins in time for the 1965 season, but never played an MLB game for them.

Dave Miedema

[sox83cubs84]

Biff Pocoroba, a back-urap catcher whose entire MLB career was spent with the Atlanta Braves, died on 5/24 at age 66.

Pocoroba's 10-year stint in The Show began in April 1975, and ended in April 1984. Only in one season (1977) did he appear in over 100 games.

Dave Miedema

[sox83cubs84]

Roosevelt Taylor, a DB who played for 12 seasons in the NFL, died on 5/29 at age 82.

Taylor spent most of his NFL career as a member of the Chicago Bears, beginning in 1961 and running through mid-1969, when he was dealt to the 49ers. He stayed there through the end of the 1971 season, after which he closed out his career with the Redskins in '72.

Taylor played in 2 Pro Bowls, was named to the All-Pro team once, and was a starter on the NFL Champion Bears in 1963. He was also very dependable to be on the field patrolling his area, as in those 12 seasons, he only missed 2 games.

Dave Miedema