Sports obituaries

[sox83cubs84]

Eric Mobley, a reserve center who played for 3 seasons in the NBA during the mid-1990s, died on 6/2 at age 51.

A 1st round pick out of Pitt by the Bucks in the 1994 draft, Mobley played with Milwaukee in 1994-95 and then, after 5 games in the '95-'96 season, was dealt to the Vancouver Grizzlies, where he spent the rest of that campaign and then ended his career there after the 1996-97 season.

Dave M.

[sox83cubs84]

Hessley Hempstead, a guard out of Kansas who was drafted by the Lions in round 7 of the 1995 NFL Draft, died from a heart attack on 6/11 at age 49.

Lions played for Detroit from 1995-97.

Dave M.

[sox83cubs84]

Leroy Jones, a DE for the Chargers from 1976-83, died on 6/16 at age 70.

After playing college ball at Norfolk State, he played for 2 seasons in the CFL for the Edmonton Eskimos. Once he became eligible for the NFL Draft, he was chosen by the Rams in the 2nd round of the 1975 draft. After that, he was traded to San Diego.

Dave M.

[sox83cubs84]

Art Ditmar, a RHP who took the mound for two AL teams from 1954-62, died on 6/11 at age 92.

Ditmar's career found him playing for great teams and cellar-dwellers. He came to The Show in '54 with the Philadelphia Athletics, and went with them when the team moved to Kansas City after the season. He led the league in losses in 1956 with a record of 12-22.

An offseason deal sent him to the Yankees, for whom he appeared in 3 World Series (1957-58 and 1960). He began the 1961 season with the Yankees, as well, but was traded back to KC in midseason, and pitched there until the 1962 campaign, when he retired.

Dave M.

[sox83cubs84]

Jim Phelan, a guard who played in 4 games for the Philadelphia Warriors during the 1953-54 season did on 6/15 at age 92.

Drafted by the Warriors in the 1951 NBA Draft, he went from college to serve in the Marines during the 51-52 and 52-53 seasons. Later on,he coached basketball at Mt. St. Mary's University.

Dave M.

[sox83cubs84]

Johnny Peirson, a RW whose 11-season NHL career was spent entirely with the Boston Bruins, died on 4/16 at age 95.

His NHL career spanned from 1946-47 to 1957-58.

Dave M.

[sox83cubs84]

Ron Saul a guard out of Michigan State who played for 12 years in the NFL, died on 6/15 at age 73.

Saul's pro career, which ran from 1970-81, was split evenly between two teams. The first 6 years found him playing for the Houston Oilers, and he joined the Washington Redskins for the final six.

Dave Miedema

[sox83cubs84]

Tom Kurvers, the Assistant GM for the Minnesota Wild, died on 6/21 at age 58, after a 2 1/2 year battle with lung cancer.

As a player, he was a defenseman for 11 seasons in the NHL, from 1984-85 through 1994-95. After beginning with Montreal, he subsequently played for Buffalo, New Jersey. Toronto, Vancouver, the New York Islanders, and finally Anaheim.

Dave M.

[sox83cubs84]

Dwight Siebler, a RHP for the Twins, mostly as a reliever from 1963-67, died on 6/16 at age 83.

Pitching for the University of Nebraska in college, Siebler was the first-ever Cornhuskers hurler to twirl a no-hitter.

Dave M.

\
\

[sox83cubs84]

Gerry Schoen, a RHP who started (and lost) in his only MLB appearance in 1968, died on 5/5 at age 74.

His start took place with the Washington Senators. He did go to spring training in 1969 with the Seattle Pilots, but was cut before the seaso began.

Dave M.

[sox83cubs84]

Patrick Allen a CB whose entire NFL career (1984-90) was spent with the Houston Oilers, died on 6/21 at age 59.

He was drafted out of Utah State by the Oilers in the 4th round of the 1984 NFL Draft.

Dave M.

[sox83cubs84]

Rene Robert, a RW for 12 seasons in the NHL, died on 6/23 at age 72.

Playing from 1970-71 through 1981-82, Robert is best remembered as one of the early Buffalo Sabres. He bookended his playing career with short stints on the Toronto roster, as well as a short stay with the Penguins and a slightly longer stay with the Colorado Rockies. He was on 1 NHL All-Star team.

Dave M.

[sox83cubs84]

Scott Reid, a LH hitting outfielder who had short stints with the Phillies in 1969 and 1970, died on 6/29 at age 74.

Dave M.

[sox83cubs84]

Odie Lowe, a center for the 1949-50 New York Rangers who notched a goal and an assist in 3 games, died recently at age 93.

Dave M.

[sox83cubs84]

Bob Newland, a WR whose 4-year career was spent entirely with the New Orleans Saints, died on 6/30 at age 72.

Drafted out of Oregon by the Saints in the 7th round of the 1971 NFL Draft, Newland spent 1971-74 catching passes for the Saints. He was not always a starter in those 4 seasons, but did play in all 14 Saints regular season contests in his entire career.

Dave M.