Sports obituaries

[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