Sports obituaries

[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.

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[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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

Jim "Mudcat" Grant, a solid RHP in The Show from 1958-71, died on 6/12 at age 85.

Solid in both starting and from the bullpen, Grant finished the 1965 season with a record of 21-7 and an ERA of 3.30 in helping the Twins capture the American League pennant. He also notched 24 saves for Oakland in 1970.

Grant pitched for the Indians and Twins from 1958-67, dealt from the Tribe to Minnesota during th 1964 season. From 1968-71, he bounced around the Majors, taking the mound for the Dodgers, Expos, Cardinals, Pirates and A's.

Dave Miedema

[sox83cubs84]

Bobby Schmautz, a RW who scored 271 goals over 13 seasons with 5 different NHL teams, died on 3/28, which was his 76th birthday.

Schmautz wore the sweaters of the Blackhawks, Canucks (twice), Bruins, Oilers and Rockies in his career.

Dave M.

[sox83cubs84]

Mark Eaton, a center out of UCLA who spent all 11 seasons of his career as the starting center for the Utah Jazz, died on 5/28 at age 64.

From 1982-83 through 1992-93, Eaton was a member of one All-Star team, played in all 82 regular season games 5 times, was named on 5 NBA All-Defensive teams and was the NBA Defensive Player of the Year twice.

Dave Miedema

[sox83cubs84]

Vince Promuto, a guard who played from 1960-71 for the Washington Redskins, died on 6/1, one week shy of his 83rd birthday.

Picked in the 4th round of the 1960 NFL Draft after attending Holy Cross, Promuto was part of 2 Pro Bowl rosters.

Dave Miedema

[sox83cubs84]

Tim Tolman a PH-1B-OF from 1981-87, died on 6/3 at age 65.

Tolman spent his first 5 seasons with the Astros, before playing with the Tigers for his final 2 years.

Dave M.

[sox83cubs84]

Jacke Davis, a reserve OF who played in 48 games for the 1962 Phillies, died on 5/30 at age 85.

Dave M.