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Post by TTX on Aug 24, 2022 8:24:17 GMT -5
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Post by jimsteel on Aug 24, 2022 14:37:47 GMT -5
Richard Dick Cavenaugh, a former umpire briefly in the national league, passed away at the age of 89.
Cavenaugh umpired for two umpire strikes in 1979 and then 2 games in the 1984 National League Championship Series. between the Cubs and Padres in games 1 and 2. The following is an excerpt from his online obit: "He lived a life full of stories and adventures and leaves behind a legacy of great friendships, wonderful fellowship, and an infectious humor and outlook on life - a true Irishman at heart. Dick served his country for four years in the United States Air Force on Okinawa during the Korean War. His many experiences include aircraft charter pioneer, pilot, namer of O'Hare taxiways, author, movie actor, Colossus Stadium visionary, national league umpire, race car driver, salesman, clothing rep, course marshal, and world traveler. His many adventures summarized in his very own autobiography (Just About but Not Quite) include celebrities such as Elizabeth Taylor, Bob Hope, John F. Kennedy and Don Ho among others."
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Post by on_the_edge on Aug 24, 2022 14:44:39 GMT -5
Len Dawson's playing career was before my time. I knew him from Inside The NFL. I watched that for a few years back in the 90's and enjoyed his work. RIP.
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Post by neilybob on Aug 24, 2022 16:37:58 GMT -5
RIP M r Dawson .
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Post by jimsteel on Aug 24, 2022 17:18:12 GMT -5
Wayne Yates, a former center in the NBA and ABL, passed away at the age of 84. Yates, a 6'8 center from North Little Rock High School in North Little Rock, Arkansas, first enrolled at New Mexico State University in 1956. He played there for two years, earning first-team All-Border Conference honors as a sophomore in 1957–58. Yates transferred to Memphis State University following his sophomore year. After sitting out the 1958–59 season per NCAA transfer rules, Yates played his junior and senior seasons in Memphis. After a junior year where he averaged 5.3 points and 4.0 rebounds per game, Yates broke out as a senior. He tallied 17.5 points and 14.4 rebounds, leading the Tigers to a berth in the 1961 National Invitation Tournament. At the end of the season, Yates earned All-America honors from the New York Times and Converse. After finishing his college career at Memphis State, Yates was drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers in the 1961 NBA Draft with the fifth overall pick. Yates played one season for the Lakers, backing up All-Star Rudy LaRusso in 1961–62 NBA season. He averaged 1.9 points and 2.5 rebounds in 37 games in a season shortened by injury. In the offseason, he was traded to the St. Louis Hawks for future draft picks. Instead of reporting to the Hawks, Yates signed with the Oakland Oaks of the fledgeling American Basketball League. While Yates found a productive role with the team, averaging 10.7 points and 8.7 rebounds per game, the league folded before the season ended. The Oaks would later emerge in the new ABA in 1967, but Yates was not part of the team then. Yates was invited to the New York Knicks training camp prior to the 1963–64 NBA season, however he failed to make the team. Yates returned to his alma mater, Memphis State, as an assistant to head coach Moe Iba in 1969. When Iba was dismissed in 1970, new coach Gene Bartow retained Yates as an assistant. Yates helped MSU to their first Final Four as the upstart Tigers made it all the way to the 1973 NCAA tournament final, losing to UCLA. After one more season, Bartow left for Illinois and Yates was elevated to head coach. The young coach had a successful tenure at Memphis State, leading the Tigers to three straight postseason appearances and four straight 19+ win seasons. However, a subpar 1978–79 season, allegations of NCAA violations, and the academic suspension of Tigers star Tony Rufus all led to Yates announcing his resignation on February 8, 1979. He would be replaced by Dana Kirk at the conclusion of the season. His final record in five seasons at Memphis was 111-49. After a year off from coaching, Yates was named head coach at Northwestern Louisiana (now Northwestern State University) in 1980. He coached there for five seasons, finishing with a 48-67 record at the school. Yates resigned following a 3-25 season in 1984–85.
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Post by jimsteel on Aug 26, 2022 15:26:45 GMT -5
Bob Locker, a former pitcher in MLB, passed away at the age of 84. Locker played for several teams during his MLB tenure including the following below: Chicago White Sox (1965–1969) At age 27, Bob Locker had made the big leagues, joining a bullpen that featured knuckleballers Hoyt Wilhelm and Eddie Fisher. He made his debut in Baltimore on April 14, 1965, tossing two innings and giving up three runs. Locker settled down, however, and in a stretch from May 30 to June 20—10 total appearances—he was unscored upon. He would finish his rookie campaign with 93+1⁄3 innings pitched and a 3.15 earned-run average. During his time in Chicago, Locker was the most often-used reliever. He appeared in 77 games in 1967 and 70 games in 1968. In 1969, Locker got off to a rough start (2–3 record, 6.55 ERA), and on June 8, the White Sox shipped him to the expansion Seattle Pilots for Gary Bell.[1] Seattle Pilots (1969) / Milwaukee Brewers (1970) Upon arrival in Seattle, the 31-year-old Locker began a reversal of fortune, posting a 2.18 ERA for an expansion team that would finish in last place in the division. He finished the season with a flourish, allowing just eight runs in his last 30 appearances on the season. When the Seattle Pilots moved to Milwaukee at the end of spring training in 1970, Locker went with them. He didn't stay there long; after appearing in 28 games for the Brewers, Locker's contract was purchased by the Oakland Athletics. Oakland Athletics (1970–1972) Locker made his presence felt once he arrived in Oakland, having allowed no runs in his first seven innings for the Athletics. His most impressive outing came on August 12, 1970, against the Cleveland Indians, in which he pitched 5+2⁄3 of scoreless relief, the longest outing of his career. In 1972, Locker was a key member of the World Series champion team, posting a 6–1 record and 2.65 ERA, often appearing in the seventh and eighth innings as the setup man for closer Rollie Fingers. Locker struggled in the American League Championship Series against the Detroit Tigers, giving up three runs in two innings of work. On October 21, he made his first and only World Series appearance, relieving Vida Blue with two outs in the sixth inning of Game 6. He gave up a single to Tony Pérez but got the final out of the inning before being removed for a pinch-hitter. A month later, Oakland traded Locker to the Chicago Cubs for outfielder Billy North. Chicago Cubs (1973, 1975) Pitching in the National League for the first time, Locker had one of his best seasons, winning 10 games, saving 18 and topping 100 innings pitched for the first time since 1969. In an odd twist, in November the Cubs sent him back to Oakland. According to Bruce Markusen in his 1998 book, Baseball's Last Dynasty: Charlie Finley's Oakland A's, Locker had told Cubs general manager John Holland that he would only pitch one season for the Cubs, then he wanted to be traded back to the A's as owner Charlie Finley had agreed to try to arrange. Locker moved his family to Oakland and planned to live and work there after his baseball career. Holland and Charlie Finley obliged the pitcher's request but it turned out to be a bad deal for the A's. Locker had to undergo surgery to remove bone chips from his pitching elbow and would sit out the entire 1974 season. Finley sent Locker back to the Cubs just days after winning the 1974 World Series in exchange for veteran outfielder Billy Williams. Locker's 1975 season would be his last in the majors.
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Post by jimsteel on Aug 26, 2022 17:46:09 GMT -5
Orris Kay Dalton, a former college and pro football coach, passed away at the age of 90. The following is text from his online obituary: "Coach Dalton's football passion began during college in the early 1950s, Coach Dalton was an All-American tight end, earning academic honors. He had a passion for football and education, which resulted in him earning his Masters's degree from Colorado State University (CSU) in 1958. Coach Dalton then began an illustrious 60-year football coaching career. Coach Dalton's collegiate coaching career includes Trinidad State Junior College, Western State College, University of Colorado University, CSU, and University of Northern Colorado (UNC). He was inducted into the Hall of Fame at Western State, CSU, and UNC. Coach Dalton's professional coaching comprised of positions in both the CFL and NFL with the Montreal Alouettes, BC Lions, Denver Broncos, Buffalo Bills, Kansas City Chiefs, and the Houston Oilers. He coached many elite football players, the likes of Warren Moon, Bill Kenney, Jim Kelly, John Elway, Gary Kubiak, Vincent Jackson, and many more." Below are the following coaching stops on Dalton's 60 year journey: 1958–1960 Trinidad State JC 1961–1965 Western State (CO) 1966 Montreal Alouettes (DC) 1967–1969 Montreal Alouettes 1970 BC Lions (WR/OL) 1971–1972 Colorado (QB) 1973 Colorado (Recruiting) 1974–1976 Denver Broncos (WR) 1977 Buffalo Bills (WR) 1978–1979 Kansas City Chiefs (WR) 1980–1982 Kansas City Chiefs (QB/WR) 1983–1984 Houston Oilers (OC) 1985 Buffalo Bills (QB) 1986 Denver Broncos (SA) 1987–1988 Colorado State (OC) 1989–1999 Northern Colorado (OC) 2000–2005 Northern Colorado
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Post by jimsteel on Aug 27, 2022 17:13:17 GMT -5
Not sports related for a change Mable John, Motown's first solo female artist signed by Berry Gordy, has died at 91
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Post by jimsteel on Aug 29, 2022 8:55:21 GMT -5
BOB LUPONE 'SOPRANOS' ACTOR, BROADWAY STAR DEAD AT 76
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Post by jimsteel on Aug 29, 2022 13:16:51 GMT -5
Ernie Zampese, a former NFL assistant coach for over 25 seasons, passed away at the age of 86. Zampese started his football career playing for Santa Barbara High School, he was selected as the CIF Player of the Year in 1953 and went on to play at the halfback position for the USC Trojans in 1955 and 1956. Between 1962 and 1975, he was a college football coach at Allan Hancock Junior College (1962–1965), Cal Poly San Luis Obispo (1966) and San Diego State University (1967–1975). Between 1976 and 1999, he served as an assistant coach, scout, assistant head coach and offensive coordinator for various NFL teams. He gained his greatest acclaim as the assistant head coach and offensive coordinator of the San Diego Chargers during the Air Coryell years. Below is a list of his coaching stops over the years. 1962–63 Allan Hancock J.C. (backfield) 1964–65 Allan Hancock J.C. 1966 Cal Poly (backfield) 1967–75 San Diego State Aztecs (def. backfield) 1976 San Diego Chargers (def. backfield) 1977–78 New York Jets (scout) 1979–82 San Diego Chargers (receivers) 1983–85 San Diego Chargers (asst. head coach) 1986 San Diego Chargers (off. coordinator) 1987–93 Los Angeles Rams (off. coordinator) 1994–97 Dallas Cowboys (off. coordinator) 1998–99 New England Patriots (off. coordinator) 2000–01 Dallas Cowboys (off. consultant) 2002 St. Louis Rams (off. consultant) 2004 Washington Redskins (off. consultant) He began his NFL coaching career in 1976 as the defensive backs coach for head coach Tommy Prothro of the San Diego Chargers. He spent the 1977 and 1978 seasons as a scout for the New York Jets. In March 1979, Zampese was reunited with Don Coryell as the wide receivers coach for the San Diego Chargers. He coached the receivers, including Hall of Famers Charlie Joiner and Kellen Winslow, from 1979 to 1983. In 1981, the Los Angeles Times published a feature story giving the little-known Zampese much of the credit for the famed Air Coryell offense of the late 1970s and early 1980s. The Times feature appeared under the headline, "Zampese Puts Air in Coryell Attack", and portrayed Zampese as a behind-the-scenes strategist sitting in a cubbyhole and speaking in an incomprehensible jargon. Zampese explained his approach to the passing game as follows: "Everybody uses basically the same pass patterns. Philosophy varies in the formations you throw from. We have a lot of formations and movements. When you move like we do, you get constant movement from the defense. We have to do a lot of adjusting and reading on the move. ... There's no question our movement is confusing. Our movement can change the strength of a formation from strong left to strong right. We like to eliminate the pre-snap thought and anticipation by the defense. It's a game of matchups, and our formations are primarily predicated on certain matchups." In 1983, Zampese was promoted to assistant head coach in charge of the passing game. In 1985, the Chargers shuffled assignments, with Zampese losing the title of assistant head coach and becoming offensive coordinator. The Los Angeles Times in December 1985 wrote the following about Zampese's new role: "Fortunately for morale, Zampese is not the type to worry about what he is called. For that matter, he probably did not even know that he was assistant head coach and undoubtedly does not care that he is now a mere offensive coordinator. If he knows. Zampese's only interest is in designing a high-octane offense. All he needs is a blackboard and a projector. He does not need a desk and he cares not what it says on the door. He could work in a cave on Mt. Laguna and be happy." During Zampese's years with the Chargers, they consistently ranked among the top offensive teams in the NFL. The team ranked first in passing offense six times in seven years from 1979 to 1985 and ranked first or second in total offense four times during the same span. The Chargers' 1982 average of 325.2 passing yards per game still ranks as the highest average in NFL history. In February 1987, Zampese signed as offensive coordinator of the Los Angeles Rams. Rams head coach John Robinson had earlier been asked who he would most like to start a new coaching staff with, and without hesitation Robinson named Zampese. Zampese was described at the time as an "offensive genius" and "one of the most likable and most respected coaches in the league." Zampese spent seven years with the Rams from 1987 to 1993. Zampese took an offense that was ranked 17th in the league before he arrived, and turned it into the third best scoring offense in the NFL in 1988 and second best in 1989. From 1994 to 1997, he was the offensive coordinator for the Dallas Cowboys. In his first year in Dallas, the Cowboys' offense finished second in the NFL in scoring with an average of 25.9 points per game. The team finished 12-4 and advanced to the NFC championship game but lost to the San Francisco 49ers. In 1995, the Cowboys won the Super Bowl and averaged 27.2 points per game—third best in the NFL. During the 1996 and 1997 seasons, the Cowboys' offense dropped to 25th and 22nd best in the NFL.
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