Sports obituaries

[sox83cubs84]

Bob Watson, a quality 1B and corner OF from 1966-84, and who went on to success in both team and league front offices, died 5/14 at 74.

After very brief call-ups in 1966 and '67, Watson was up to stay in 1968 with the Astros, remaining one of their key ballplayers through 1979, when he split the season between Houston and Boston. Joining the Yankees in 1980. he remained in the Bronx until early 1982, when he was dealt to the Braves, finishing his career with them in 1984.

Two oddball trivia facts about Watson:

1) He was credited with scoring MLB all-time one millionth run, and

2) He made a cameo appearance in full uniform during a scene at the Astrodome in "The Bad News Bears in Breaking Training.:

Dave Miedema

[sox83cubs84]

Reche Caldwell, a WR who caught passes for 3 different NFL teams over 6 seasons, died at age 41 on 6/6.

Caldwell played for the Chargers from 2002-2005 before spending 2006 with the Patriots and finishing his career in 2007 with the rEDSKINS.

Dave Miedema

[sox83cubs84]

Reche Caldwell, a WR who caught passes for 3 different NFL teams over 6 seasons, died at age 41 on 6/6.

Caldwell played for the Chargers from 2002-2005 before spending 2006 with the Patriots and finishing his career in 2007 with the rEDSKINS.

Dave Miedema

Caldwell died due to a gunshot wound after two men ambushed him outside his residence. The police do not believe that this was a random act.

Dave M.

[sox83cubs84]

Tootie Robbins, an OT who played in the NFL for 12 seasons, died on 8/2 at age 62.

Robbins' pro career began in 1982 and lasted until 1993. Except for his last 2 seasons, in which he performed for the Packers, his career was in the uniform of the Cardinals (both St. Louis and Phoenix).

Dave Miedema

[sox83cubs84]

Tootie Robbins, an OT who played in the NFL for 12 seasons, died on 8/2 at age 62.

Robbins' pro career began in 1982 and lasted until 1993. Except for his last 2 seasons, in which he performed for the Packers, his career was in the uniform of the Cardinals (both St. Louis and Phoenix).

Dave Miedema

Unintentionally omitted from initial post: cause of death was COVID19.

Dave

[sox83cubs84]

Larry Wilson, a DB who spent his entire Hall of Fame career with the St. Louis Cardinals, passed away on 9/17 at age 82.

Among his many accomplishments were going to 8 Pro Bowls, being named to 5 All-Pro teams, and being named the NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 1966.

He coached the Cardinals for 3 games in 1979, going 2-1, and then moved to the front office, where he was Director of Pro Personnel from 1980-87, and then took the role of VP/GM from 1988-93.

Dave Miedema

[sox83cubs84]

Hall of Fame 2B Joe Morgan, part of the MLB playing landscape for 22 seasons, died on 10/11 at age 77.

His first tastes of The Show came in 1963-64, when Houston's team was known as the Colt .45s. He continued playing for Houston through 1971, and was traded to the Reds in the '71-'72 offseason, only to return to the Astros in 1980.

Of course, those years with the Reds are what made him a legend. Playing for back-to-back World Series winners in 1975-76, he also won 2 MVP awards, played in 10 All-Star Games, won 5 Gold Gloves, and led the NL in walks 4 different times.

In his final 4 seasons, he played for the Giants (1981-82), Phillies (1983) and Athletics (1984).

[sox83cubs84]

John Thompson, longtime basketball coach for the NCAA Georgetown Hoyas, died on 8/30, 3 days before his 79th birthday.

Thompson took Georgetown to the NCAA basketball championship in 1984, the first African-American basketball head coach to win it all. He also lead the Hoyas to three Final Fours.

Dave Miedema

[sox83cubs84]

This weekend has not been a good one for Dodger fans, as 3 ex-Dodgers were reported as passing away over the last few days:

Lou Johnson, a well-traveled outfielder in the 1960s who is best remembered as a Dodger, died 9/30 at age 86.

Johnson's stint with the Dodgers was only for 3 years (1965-67), but his most notable accomplishments came in Dodger Blue, particularly in '65. He hit a home run in Game 7 of the World Series to help L.A. win the World Series in seven games against the Twins. During the regular season, he smacked the only hit and scored the only run in Sandy Koufax's 1-0 perfect game against the Cubs. The losing pitcher, Bob Hendley, threw a 1-hitter.

Sweet Lou, as he was known, had two tours of duty with the Cubs (1960 and 1968), two with the Angels (1 game in 1961 and a lot more in 1969). He also had brief stints with the Braves (1962) and the Indians (1968).




Ron Perranoski, a great Dodger bullpen star in the 1960s,, died on 10/2 at age 84..

Ron pitched for the Dodgers from 1961-67,and had one of the best seasons any relief pitcher has enjoyed. In 1963, Ron finished the season with 69 appearances (all in relief), a record of 16-3, 21 saves and a 1.67 ERA, all of which placed him 4th in NL MVP voting for the season.

Traded to the Twins in the 1967-68 offseason, Ron pitched for them from 1968 to mid-1971, when he was dealt to the Tigers. While a Twin, he led the AL in saves in both 1969 (31) and 1970 (34).

Ron remained a Tiger until late 1972, when he briefly returned to the Dodgers before calling it quits after one season with the Angels (1973)

Ron also was a longtime Dodgers pitching coach on both the MLB and MiLB level, and later did the same for the Giants.
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Charlie Haeger, a pitcher who performed for 2 season with the Dodgers (2009-10) was found dead near the Grand Canyon. He died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound ,while police were tracking him down as a suspect in the murder of his ex-girlfriend. He was 37.

Haeger's MLB career began with the White Sox (2006-07) followed by the Padres in 2008, and after that his 2 seasons with L.A.

Dave Miedema

[sox83cubs84]

Chadwick Boseman, the actor who played Jackie Robinson in "42", died on 8/28 after a 4-year battle with colon cancer. He was 43.

Boseman also played the role of the Black Panther in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Dave Miedema