Sports obituaries

[sox83cubs84]

Rheal Cormier, a LHP for several MLB teams, died on3/8 at age 53, a victim of cancer.

A native of Canada, Cormier pitched for 16 seasons in The Show. He is best remembered as a Cardinal (1991-94) and as a Phillie (2001-06). His career also had stops in Boston (1995, 1999-2000), Montreal (1966-67) and Cincinnati (2006-07).

Dave Miedema

[sox83cubs84]

Bobby Brown, a utility player who contributed to the Yankees for 8 seasons, died earlier this week at age 96.

Brown appeared in 4 different World Series for the Bronx Bombers, with his career spanning from 1946-54 (excluding 1953). Later in life he was the American League President from 1984-94.

Dave Miedema

[sox83cubs84]

Longtime Pacers coach Bobby "Slick" Leonard, a Basketball HoFer, died on 4/13 at age 88.

Leonard began in the NBA as a player for 7 seasons with the first five calling the shots for the Lakers (4 seasons in Minneapolis and 1 in Los Angeles), and played his final two seasons in Chicago, the first one with the Chicago Packers, and the second with the renamed Chicago Zephyrs, where he also coached the team. He remained their coach when the team moved to Baltimore and became the Bullets first head coach for just that inaugural season.

Five seasons later, he took the helm with the Indiana Pacers, remaining there for nearly 12 season, and guiding the Pacers to 3 ABA Championships during his time there.

Dave Miedema

[sox83cubs84]

Granville Waiters, a center for 5 NBA seasons in the 1980s, died on 3/23 at age 60.

The ex-Buckeye spent 2 seasons (1983-84 and 1984-85) with the Pacers, the next season with Houston, and his last 2 NBA campaigns with the Bulls.

Dave M.

[sox83cubs84]

Joe Beckwith, a RHP who took the mound for two MLB teams over 7 seasons, died on 5/22 at age 66.

Beckwith is best remembered by most as a Dodger (1979-80, 1982-83, 1986), he also pitched for the Royals (1984-85), and was part of their 1985 World Series Championship team.

Dave Miedema

[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]

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.