Sports obituaries

[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]

Ken Riley, a CB whose entire 15-year career in the NFL was spent in a Bengals uniform died on 6/7 at age 72.

Wearing the number 13 jersey, Riley's rookie season (1969) was also the final season of the AFL, before the merger. He was an AFC All-Pro in 1975.

Dave Miedema

[sox83cubs84]

Howie Judson, a RHP who toed MLB mounds from 1948-54, died on 8/18 at age 94.

Working both as a starter and a reliever over his MLB career, Judson came up to The Show in 1948 with the White Sox, hurling for them from '48-'52. He then pitched for the Reds in 1953-54.

Dave Miedema

[sox83cubs84]

Jim Owens, a RHP who played for 3 NL teams from 1955-67, died on 9/8 at age 86.

His MLB career began with the Phillies, for whom he took the mound for the first 7 years of his career. The last four years in MLB as a pitcher came with Houston. Between those two multi-season stints was one with the Reds (11963)

His best season was in 1959 with the Phillies. Making 30 starts (and 1 bullpen appearance), he went 12-12 with a 3.21 ERA and 11 CG.

Dave Miedema

[sox83cubs84]

Another former pro athlete has succumbed to COVID19.

HOF DE Fred Dean passed away on 10/14 at age 68.

Dean played on 2 Super Bowl winners with the 49ers. He was an All-Pro twice and was named to 4 Pro Bowl squads.

Dean came to the NFL in 1975 with the Chargers, remaining there until mid-1981. He then joined the 49ers and stayed there until his retirement after the 1985 season.


Dave Miedema

[sox83cubs84]

Jim Hicks, a reserve OF who played for 3 teams over 5 MLB seasons, died at age 80 on 10/29.

Hicks played for the White Sox from 1964-66, left The Show for 2 seasons, and returned with the Cardinals in 1969. Dealt midseason to the Angels, he finished the year there and, in 1970, finished his MLB career.

Dave Miedema

[sox83cubs84]

Lindy McDaniel, a RH pitcher who primarily came out of the bullpen for 21 seasons, died at age 84 on 11/14.

McDaniel took the mound in a whopping 987 games, beginning in 1955 with the Cardinals and ending in 1975 with the Royals. He finished his career with a record of 141-119 with 174 saves. Between his tours of duty with both Missouri ballclubs, he also took the mound for the Cubs, Giants and Yankees. He led the NL in saves 3 diiferent times and was the leader in games finished in the last of those 3 seasons.


Dave Miedema