Sports obituaries

[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

[sox83cubs84]

Denis Menke, an infielder who played for 3 NL ballclubs over a 13-year career, died on 12/1 at age 80.

Menke played with the Braves (1962-67), the Astros (1968-71, 1974) and the Reds (1972-73). He was part of 2 All-Star Game teams, and played in one World Series (1972) where he was active in all 7 games and, while only collecting 2 hits, one of them was a solo HR.

Dave Miedema

[sox83cubs84]

Bill Spanswick, a LHP who appeared in 29 games for the 1964 Red Sox, died on 12/2 at age 82.

Dave Miedema

[sox83cubs84]

Tommy Sandt, a utility infielder who played 1 game with Oakland in 1975 and 41 more in 1976, died at age 69 on 12/1.

Dave Miedema

[sox83cubs84]

Dick Allen, a major slugger for most of the 1960s and 70s, died on 12/7 at age 78.

"Crash", as he was sometimes know, played from 1963-77, mostly with the Phillies (1963-69, 1975-76) and the White Sox (1972-74). He was the NL Rookie of the Year with Philly in 1964 and AL MVP with the Chisox in 1972. He also spent single seasons with the Cardinals (1970), Dodgers (1971) and A's (1977). He was also selected for 7 All-Star Games. Over the course of his MLB career, he slammed 351 HR and drove in 1,119 runs.

Dave Miedema

[sox83cubs84]

Marv Marinovich, a guard who was the captain of the 1962 NCAA Champion USC Trojans, died on 12/3 at age 81.

Marv played in one AFL game for the Raiders in 1965. His son is Todd Marinovich.

Dave Miedema

[sox83cubs84]

Bob Miller, a RHP who was a member of the Whiz Kids (1950 NL pennant-winning Phillies) died on 11/28 at age 94.

Miller went 11-6 with a 3.57 ERA during that memorable season. His entire 10-year MLB career (1949-58) was spent in Philadelphia. A 1959 Topps card pictures him as a St. Louis Cardinal but never appeared for them in a regular season game.

Dave Miedema

[sox83cubs84]

International soccer legeend Diego Maradona (from Argentina) died of a heart attack on 11/25 at age 60.

Dave Miedema

[sox83cubs84]

Dan Pfister, a RHP whose 4-year MLB career was saddled by playing all 4 seasons with a perennial cellar dweller, died 11/9 at age 83.

Pfister's 4 seasons in the Bigs (1961-64) were all spent with the Kansas City Athletics.

Dave Miedema

[sox83cubs84]

Jake Scott, a DB for the undefeated 1972 Dolphins, died 11/19 at age 75.

His Super Bowl performance in the Dolphins 14-7 victory over the Redskins at the end of that historic season earned him game MVP honors. He was also part of the Miami Super Bowl winners the following season (against the Vikings), as well as the 1971 AFC Champions, who were bested in that Super Bowl by Dallas.

Jake played for 9 seasons in the NDFL; 6 for the Dolphins (1970-75) followed by 3 with the Redskins (1976-78).

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]

Response sent.

Dave .

[1929tudor]

Hi dave, Was wondering if you could email me at gosox59@msn.com. Been trying to reach you with a question on a game used cap item. Thanks

[sox83cubs84]

Foster Castleman, a utility IF who played in The Show for 5 years, died 11/9 at age 89.

Castleman came up with the New York Giants during the 1954 season, and remained with the team for the remainder of their time in the Polo Grounds. He called it a career after spending 1958 with the Orioles.

His best season was his busiest season (1956). Playing in 124 games, he smacked 14 HR and drove in 45.

Dave Miedema

[sox83cubs84]

Johnny Paredes, a utility infielder who had short stints with the Expos and Tigers, died 11/4 at age 58.

A native of Venezuela, Paredes spent time with Montreal in 1988 and 1990, and after that Detroit in 1990-91.

Dave Miedema