Sports obituaries

[sox83cubs84]

Goldie Sellers, a DB/KR who played for 4 seasons in the old AFL, died on 3/28 at age 78,

Sellers missed only 1 game in 4 seasons, split evenly between the Broncos and the Chiefs. He was a rookie in 1966, and ended up his career winning a Super Bowl ring with the Chiefs, who defeated the Vikings 23-7 in SB4.

Dave Miedema

[sox83cubs84]

Orlando McDaniel, a WR who had a cup of coffee with the 1982 Denver Broncos, died 3/27 at age 59.

McDaniel made his mark in college sports, being a star in both football and track at LSU.

Dave Miedema

[sox83cubs84]

Jarrod Patterson, a 3B who had brief call-ups with the Tigers (2001) and the Royals (2003) died on 3/11 at age 46. His games played for each team was identical (13),

Dave Miedema

[sox83cubs84]

Ramon Conde, a diminutive infielder who appeared in 14 games for the 1962 White Sox, died on 2/23 at age 85.

Dave Miedema

[sox83cubs84]

MLB, basketball, and NCAA FB:

Jim Wynn, whose small physique and immense slugging power for the Colt .45s/Astros and 4 other teams died on 3/26 at age 78.

Standing only 5-9" tall and weighing just 165 lbs. earned the nickname "The Toy Cannon" due to his very healthy HR totals every season in Houston, playing half of his games in the pitcher-friendly Astrodome,

Wynn was dealt to the Dodgers, with whom he played in 1974-75. After spending the Bi-centennial year playing for Atlanta, he went briefly to the AL in 1977, splitting his final MLB season between Milwaukee and the Yankees.

One of the most popular Harlem Globetrotters of all-time, Curly Neal, died on 3/26 at age 77.

Neal, whose real first name was Fred, played in over 6,000 games from 1963-85, He was among the Globetrotter players immortalized in a Saturday morning network cartoon show during the late 1960s and early 1970s.

Bryce Beekman, a 22-year old DB with the Washington State NCAA football team, died on 3/24. Cause of death has yet to be announced, but it has been announced that no foul play was involved. Officers responded to a 911 call from Beekman's apartment, where he was concerned about "breathing problems"

Dave Miedema

[sox83cubs84]

Mike Stratton, an offensive end from 1959-61 who went on to a great career in the NFL as a linebacker, died on 3/25 at age 78. Cause of death was heart complications after a fall.

Stratton played 12 seasons in the AFL and AFC, with all but the last wearing the uniform of the Buffalo Bills. In his final year (1973) he was with the Chargers.

In his pro career, Stratton won 2 AFL titles and played in 6 AFL All-Star Games.

Dave Miedema

[sox83cubs84]

Don Pavletich, a C-1B-PH for the Reds and 2 AL teams, died on 3/5 at age 81.

After playing in one game each in 1957 and 1959, Pavletich came up to stay in 1962, serving as the back-up to Johnny Edwards and then Johnny Bench through 1968. He then spent 1969 with the White Sox, and finished up his time in The Show with two seasons in Boston.

Dave Miedema

[sox83cubs84]

Johnny Antonelli, a quality LHP who was named to 6 NL All-Star teams, died on 2/28 at age 89.

Antonelli first appeared with the Boston Braves in 1948, and was also part of the 1949 and 1950 squads, as well. After serving for 2 years in the military, he returned to the Braves for one more year, with the team now located in Milwaukee.

Dealt to the Giants in 1954, he was a major contributor in their World Championship season, going 21-7 with an NL leading 2.30 ERA. He also went 20-13 in 1956 and sported a 19-10 ledger in 1959. He spent one more season after that with San Francisco, then ended his career in 1961, splittting between the Indians and the Braves.

Dave Miedema

[sox83cubs84]

Ted Cox, a backup IF-OF for 4 teams over 5 seasons, died on 3/11 at age 65.

Cox was a September call-up with Boston in 1977. He spent 2 seasons after that with Cleveland, then one with Seattle and finally with Toronto (1981)

Dave Miedema