R.I.P. SPORTS RELATED 2023(Non Wrestlers) (*)

[jimsteel]

Kenton Edelin, a former small forward in the National Basketball Association, passed away at the age of 60.

Edelin attended the University of Virginia, where he was not offered a basketball scholarship, instead playing his freshman year for the Cavaliers' junior varsity team. After growing two inches in his sophomore season, Edelin made the varsity team where as a senior he helped the team reach the 1984 Final Four. For his college career, Edelin averaged 3.3 points and 4.6 rebounds per game.

After graduating from Virginia, Edelin was drafted in the seventh round (140th pick overall) of the 1984 NBA Draft by the Indiana Pacers. He played 10 games for the Pacers in the 1984–85 NBA season, averaging 1.1 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 1 assist per game for his NBA career. At the conclusion of his rookie season, he retired from basketball and returned to the University of Virginia to attend law school. He worked as an attorney and player agent until suffering a series of ischemic strokes in March 2022.

[jimsteel]

Sports death continue where they left off in 2022



Ronald Maddocks, a former quarterback reserve in the CFL, passed away at the age of 81.

The following is an excerpt from Maddock's online obituary: "Ron had a successful career in the railroad industry with Ronsco Inc., though his true passion in life was sports. Throughout his youth Ron played several sports, such as basketball, baseball and hockey, but excelled at football and golf. He was a quarterback for the NDG Maple Leafs and the Montreal Alouettes, and a proud Alouette alumni. Ron went on to coach the NDG Maple Leafs and later became head coach of Brantford Bison Juniors. Later in life, Ron was a member of the Montreal West Curling Club, where he made many good friends, and a former president and long-time member of the Summerlea Golf Club.

He played in 14 games for the Alouettes during the 1963 season and saw limited action as a quarterback.

[jimsteel]

Harold Balla, a former halfback in the CFL, passed away at the age of 97.

Balla played for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers during the 1945 season. The following is an excerpt from Balla's online obituary: "Harold was born on August 19, 1925 and spent his entire life in Winnipeg, Manitoba. As a youth, Harold excelled at athletics, particularly football, and in 1945 suited up for our own Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

Harold and Beverley married on September 9, 1950; she was the love of his life. Harold and Bev enjoyed many trips to Hawaii, Las Vegas and to the west coast to visit family.

[jimsteel]

James "Jim" Rosecrans, a former linebacker in the NFL, passed away at the age of 69.

Rosecrans played football for Penn State in college. He then went undrafted in the NFL but signed as a free agent with the New York Jets. He played one game for the Jets during the 1976 season and remained on the practice squad.

[jimsteel]

Nate Colbert, who played in Major League Baseball as a first baseman from 1966 to 1976, passed away at the age of 76.

The three-time All-Star player averaged 30 home runs and 85 RBIs as a member of the Padres for five consecutive seasons from 1969 to 1973, becoming the first star player for the young franchise. As of 2021, Colbert still holds the Padres' career record for home runs (163) and ranked among the Padres' top 10 in numerous offensive categories. He also played for the Houston Astros, Detroit Tigers, Montreal Expos, and the Oakland Athletics. A back injury prematurely ended Colbert's career after just 10 seasons.

After his playing career, Colbert spent several years as a hitting instructor for the Padres during spring training and later served as a hitting coach and manager in the minor leagues. He also became an ordained minister working with disadvantaged youths. In 1999, Colbert was among the inaugural class of inductees to the San Diego Padres Hall of Fame.

Colbert played for the following teams during his MLB career:

Houston Astros (1966, 1968)
San Diego Padres (1969–1974)
Detroit Tigers (1975)
Montreal Expos (1975–1976)
Oakland Athletics (1976)

Born in St. Louis, Missouri, Colbert was signed by his hometown St. Louis Cardinals as an amateur free agent in 1964. Colbert saw some action with the Houston Astros in 1966 and 1968 before being selected by the San Diego Padres in the 1968 expansion draft. In 1969, the Padres' inaugural season and his first full season in the big leagues, Colbert hit 24 home runs, leading the club and driving in 66 runs while batting .255. He was a National League All-Star from 1971 to 1973. Colbert's best day in the majors was August 1, 1972, when he hit five home runs—one of two players to have done so, Stan Musial being the other in 1954—and drove in 13 runs in a doubleheader, breaking the record of 11 runs batted in. That helped the Padres sweep the Atlanta Braves, 9-0 and 11-7. Coincidentally, a young Colbert had attended the game in which Musial originally set the single-day home run record.

Colbert's .508 slugging percentage, 87 runs, 286 total bases, 38 home runs, 111 RBIs, 70 walks, 67 extra-base hits, 14 intentional walks, and 14.8 at bats per home run helped him finish eighth in voting for the NL MVP in 1972. He finished second only to the Cincinnati Reds' Johnny Bench (40) in home runs that year. His 111 RBI's also set a record that still stands for driving in the highest percentage of his team's runs. Throughout his career with the Padres from 1969 to 1974, he was often the only bright spot in an otherwise dismal San Diego lineup.

After hitting .207, he was traded from the Padres to the Detroit Tigers for Ed Brinkman, Bob Strampe and Dick Sharon in a three-team deal on November 18, 1974 that involved Brinkman also being sent to the St. Louis Cardinals for Sonny Siebert, Alan Foster, and Rich Folkers. Danny Breeden went from the Padres to the Cardinals to subsequently complete the transactions. After batting .147 with 4 home runs and 18 RBI in 45 games, Colbert's contract was sold by the Tigers to the Montreal Expos on June 15, 1975.[6] He spent much of 1976 in the minor leagues before resurfacing very briefly with the Oakland Athletics at the end of the season. He attended spring training with the expansion Toronto Blue Jays in 1977, but back problems forced his retirement at 30.

Colbert played on nine consecutive last-place teams from 1968 to 1976. Only the teams at the very start and end of Colbert's career escaped the cellar: Colbert went 0-for-7 for the 1966 Houston Astros (who finished in eighth place in a ten-team league), and 0-for-5 for the 1976 Oakland A's (who finished second in their division.) In 1975, Colbert played for two last-place teams: Detroit and Montreal.

[jimsteel]

Former Chelsea Football Club striker and manager Gianluca Vialli has died at the age 58.

Vialli was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2017 but after saying in April 2020 that he had been given the all-clear, he was re-diagnosed in 2021

[jimsteel]

Bill Campbell, a former pitcher who played in Major League Baseball from 1973 to 1987 passed away at the age of 74.

Campbell played for the following teams during his MLB career:

Minnesota Twins (1973–1976)
Boston Red Sox (1977–1981)
Chicago Cubs (1982–1983)
Philadelphia Phillies (1984)
St. Louis Cardinals (1985)
Detroit Tigers (1986)
Montreal Expos (1987).

After being drafted for military service in 1968, Campbell joined the United States Army and served as a radio operator during the Vietnam War and was discharged in 1970. Nicknamed "Soup" because of his last name, Campbell was signed as an amateur free agent pitcher by the Twins and began his career with the Class A minor league Wisconsin Rapids in 1971. In 1972, he moved up to Minnesota's AA level Charlotte affiliate, and in 1973 he started the season with AAA Tacoma and had 10 wins and 5 losses when he was called up to the major leagues in July.

Campbell made his Twins debut on July 14, 1973, in relief of Jim Kaat. He pitched one scoreless inning and allowed one hit to the Cleveland Indians, while striking out two. Used primarily in relief, he posted a record in 1973 of 3 wins and 3 losses in 28 games, with an earned run average of 3.18. In 1974, Campbell pitched in 63 games, all in relief, and compiled an 8-7 record with 19 saves and a 2.62 ERA. In 1975, he started slowly after a spring training arm injury, and split time between relieving and starting. His overall record of 4 wins and 6 losses, with 5 saves and a 3.79 ERA. In 1976, new manager Gene Mauch named Campbell as his closer. Campbell rose to the occasion; his 78 appearances led the league, and his record was 17 wins, 5 losses, 20 saves, and a 3.01 ERA. He finished 7th in the voting for that year's Cy Young award, and 8th in the voting for Most Valuable Player.

In 1977, Campbell signed with the Boston Red Sox. He finished with 13 wins, 9 losses, 31 saves, and an ERA of 2.96. He was selected for the AL All-Star team and won both the AL Fireman of the Year (awarded by The Sporting News) and Rolaids Relief Man of the Year Award. Campbell was the first American league recipient of the Rolaids award, and the first two-time winner.

Campbell experienced arm trouble in 1978, and was no longer the dominating closer he had been in 1976 and 1977. He played until 1987, and spent time with the Cubs, Phillies, Cardinals, Tigers, and Expos in addition to the Red Sox, but never posted more than 6 wins or 8 saves in a season. His best year during the latter part of his career was 1983, when he led the National League in appearances with 82

[neilybob]

RIP Bill Campell and Nate Colbert.

[jimsteel]

Carl Duser, a former pitcher in the MLB, passed away at the age of 90.

The following is an excerpt from Mr. Duser's online obituary: "Carl was a graduate of Weatherly High School. He honorably served his country in the United States Army during the Korean War. Carl was employed by the Bethlehem Steel as a sales executive for over 27 years until retiring. He was an accomplished professional baseball player, including pitching for the Kansas City Athletics from 1956-1958, when his career was cut short by an unfortunate automobile accident. He was a Caribbean World Series champion and was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in Pennsylvania. He struck out murder's row which is the top 3 Yankees where he struck out all 3 in a row, including Mickey Mantle. Carl had a passion for baseball and coached at City Line Little League as well as officiating Div. 1 basketball, including the Big 5. He was a faithful member of the Light of Christ Lutheran Church, Bethlehem, and a lifetime member of the Heights A.A. where he served as the Bar Steward for over 20 years. Above all, Carl loved his family and his many dogs throughout his life. Carl spent the last few years of his life living on Armenia Mountain where he enjoyed watching the animals and enjoying nature."

During his short career that were parts of 2 seasons in 1956 and 1958, Duser went 1-1. Before 1954 Season he was signed by the Philadelphia Athletics as an amateur free agent. During his professional career, which spanned 1954-1958 he was 33-39, with most of his time in the minors.

[lankylefty17]

shouldnt this be in the sports section? Seems weird its in movies and tv haha