Sports obituaries

[sox83cubs84]

Phil Niekro, a Hall of Famer and a master of the knuckleball, died on 12/26 at age 81.

"Knucksie", whose playing career spanned 24 years, is one of only a handful of MLB pitchers with career totals that ended with over 300 wins and 3,000 strikeouts. He was part of 5 All-Star teams, and earned 5 Gold Gloves.

Most of his career was spent with the Braves, beginning in 1964, when the team was still in Milwaukee, and through 1983, when they were located in Atlanta. He also returned to the Braves for his final mound appearance on 9/27/87. Between those tours of duty, Niekro spent 1984-85 with the Yankees, 1986 with the Indians, as well as part of '87, before a short stint with the Blue Jays and his final game with Atlants. He wore #35 for his entire career in The Show.

Niekro was a 20-game winner twice (1974 and '79), a 20-game loser twice (1977 and '79) and lead the NL once in won-lost percentage (17-4, .810) in 1982 and ERA (1.87 in 1967).

Dave Miedema

[sox83cubs84]

Hall of Famer Don Sutton, a teammate of both Sandy Koufax and Don Drysdale on the 1966 NL champion Dodgers, died at age 75 on 1/19.

Sutton finished his career with 324 wins, 3,574 strikeouts with a 3.24 ERA. He was named to 4 All-Star teams and won the NL ERA title in 1980 (2.20).

He is best remembered as a Dodgers, opening his MLB career there (1966-80) and also ending it in Dodger blue (1988). He pitched for the Astros in 181 and most of 1982 before being acquired by the Brewers for the 1982 stretch run. Sutton also threw for Milwaukee in 1983-84. Most of his 1985 season was with the Athletics, although he again was a pennant race acquisition, joining the Angels late in the season and staying there for the 1986 and 1987 campaigns.

Dave Miedema

[sox83cubs84]

Ralph Backstrom, a center who played for 6 Stanley Cup Champion teams while a member of the Montreal Canadiens, died on 2/7 at age 83. Cause of death has not been announced.

Ralph first played for Montreal during the 1956-57 season, and became a regular as of the 1958-59 NHL campaign. He continued with Montreal through the midst of the 1970-71 season, when he was dealt to the Kings. He was part of the Los Angeles until late in1972-73, when he was dealt to the Blackhawks and played there for 16 games.

In 1973-74, he still played with Chicago...but for the WHA Cougars, where he also played in 1974-75. The 1975-76 season found him with the WHA Denver Spurs, and was sent to the New England Whalers (also WHA) in mid-season, ending his pro career there the following season.

He led or was tied for the league lead in games played 4 times (3 NHL, 1 WHA).

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]

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]

Coot Veal, a reserve SS for 6 years in the Majors, died on 3/14 at age 88.

His career, which ran from 1958-63, was spent primarily with the Tigers, although he played for the expansion Senators in 1961, and in 1 game for the Pirates in 1962.

Dave Miedema

[sox83cubs84]

Jack Smith, a RHP who spent parts of 3 season as a reliever in the NL, died on 4/7 at age 85

Smith had roster expansion callups with the Dodgers in 1962 and '63 before pitching for a half-season in 1964 with the Braves, where he went 2-2.

Dave Miedema