Sports obituaries

[sox83cubs84]

Howie Judson, a RHP who toed MLB mounds from 1948-54, died on 8/18 at age 94.

Working both as a starter and a reliever over his MLB career, Judson came up to The Show in 1948 with the White Sox, hurling for them from '48-'52. He then pitched for the Reds in 1953-54.

Dave Miedema

[sox83cubs84]

Jim Owens, a RHP who played for 3 NL teams from 1955-67, died on 9/8 at age 86.

His MLB career began with the Phillies, for whom he took the mound for the first 7 years of his career. The last four years in MLB as a pitcher came with Houston. Between those two multi-season stints was one with the Reds (11963)

His best season was in 1959 with the Phillies. Making 30 starts (and 1 bullpen appearance), he went 12-12 with a 3.21 ERA and 11 CG.

Dave Miedema

[sox83cubs84]

Another former pro athlete has succumbed to COVID19.

HOF DE Fred Dean passed away on 10/14 at age 68.

Dean played on 2 Super Bowl winners with the 49ers. He was an All-Pro twice and was named to 4 Pro Bowl squads.

Dean came to the NFL in 1975 with the Chargers, remaining there until mid-1981. He then joined the 49ers and stayed there until his retirement after the 1985 season.


Dave Miedema

[sox83cubs84]

Jim Hicks, a reserve OF who played for 3 teams over 5 MLB seasons, died at age 80 on 10/29.

Hicks played for the White Sox from 1964-66, left The Show for 2 seasons, and returned with the Cardinals in 1969. Dealt midseason to the Angels, he finished the year there and, in 1970, finished his MLB career.

Dave Miedema

[sox83cubs84]

Lindy McDaniel, a RH pitcher who primarily came out of the bullpen for 21 seasons, died at age 84 on 11/14.

McDaniel took the mound in a whopping 987 games, beginning in 1955 with the Cardinals and ending in 1975 with the Royals. He finished his career with a record of 141-119 with 174 saves. Between his tours of duty with both Missouri ballclubs, he also took the mound for the Cubs, Giants and Yankees. He led the NL in saves 3 diiferent times and was the leader in games finished in the last of those 3 seasons.


Dave Miedema

[sox83cubs84]

Phil Linz, an infielder for 7 years in The Show, died on 12/9 at age 81.

Linz first played in the Bigs with the Yankees (1962-65). He appeared in both the '63 and '64 World Series for the Yanks, and also during his tour of duty with the 1960s version of the Bronx Bombers earned the wrath of manager Yogi Berra when, after a tough loss, Linz began playing his harmonica on the otherwise silent bus.

Linz spent 1966 and part of '67 with the Phillies. A mid-season deal sent him back to the Big Apple, but with the Mets, for whom he played until his retirement after the 1968 season.

Dave Miedema