Sports obituaries

[sox83cubs84]

Jack McMahan, a LHP who split the 1956 season between the Kansas City A's and the Pittsburgh Pirates, died on 10/16 at age 88.

Dave Miedema

[sox83cubs84]

Johnny Paredes, a utility infielder who had short stints with the Expos and Tigers, died 11/4 at age 58.

A native of Venezuela, Paredes spent time with Montreal in 1988 and 1990, and after that Detroit in 1990-91.

Dave Miedema

[sox83cubs84]

Dick Allen, a major slugger for most of the 1960s and 70s, died on 12/7 at age 78.

"Crash", as he was sometimes know, played from 1963-77, mostly with the Phillies (1963-69, 1975-76) and the White Sox (1972-74). He was the NL Rookie of the Year with Philly in 1964 and AL MVP with the Chisox in 1972. He also spent single seasons with the Cardinals (1970), Dodgers (1971) and A's (1977). He was also selected for 7 All-Star Games. Over the course of his MLB career, he slammed 351 HR and drove in 1,119 runs.

Dave Miedema

[sox83cubs84]

Billy Harris, a backup infielder with short tours of duty with 2 AL teams, died on 12/20 at age 77.

Harris appeared in 38 games for the 1968 Indians, and was also an original Kansas City Royal, albeit for only 5 games.

Dave Miedema

[sox83cubs84]

Pedro Gonzalez, a utility player for 5 years in the American League, died on 1/10 at age 83.

Playing in The Show from 1963-67, Gonzalez spent 1963-64 with the Yankees, split 1965 between the Yankees and the Indians, staying with the Tribe through 1967.

Dave Miedema

[sox83cubs84]

Paul Foytack, a RHP who was a quality member of the Detroit Tigers' starting rotation for several years, died on 1/23 at age 90.

After a short beginning with the Tigers in early 1953, he returned to The Show for keeps in 1955, and remained with Detroit until early in the 1963 season, where he was dealt to the Angels, retiring after being released in April of the1964 season. From 1956-62, Foytack posted a double-digit number of wins 6 times over that 7-year span.

Dave Miedema

[sox83cubs84]

Vincent Jackson, a WR for 12 seasons in the NFL, was found dead in his hotel room on 2/15. He was 38. Cause of death has yet to be announced, although at this time foul play is not expected to be the cause.

Selected to 3 Pro Bowls, Jackson began his NFL career in 2005 with the Chargers, staying with San Diego through 2011. He then caught passes for Tampa Bay from 2012-16. He led the NFL in 2 receiving categories in 2012: yards per reception (19.2) and longest reception in yards (95).

Dave Miedema