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Post by jimsteel on Apr 13, 2023 17:46:15 GMT -5
Ireland's top rally driver Craig Breen has died after an accident in a pre-event test for the Croatian round of the world championship, his Hyundai team said in a statement on Thursday. The team gave no details of the accident just after midday local time but said co-driver James Fulton was unharmed. Media reported that Breen's car went off the road and collided with a pole while the 33-year-old was preparing for next week's rally, his second of the season.
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Post by jimsteel on Apr 13, 2023 21:05:29 GMT -5
Tracy Johnson, a former NFL running back, passed away at the age of 56 after a battle with cancer. Johnson played college football at Clemson University, where he was an honorable All-American and helped Clemson to three ACC championships. The following is a statement from the Clemson Football program "Former Clemson fullback Tracy Johnson, a two-time honorable mention All-American who was a mainstay on three ACC Championship teams in the 1980s, passed away on Friday, April 7 following a battle with cancer. He was 56 years old. Johnson was the starting fullback for Head Coach Danny Ford’s ACC title teams in 1987 and 1988, finishing both years with a 10-2 record and a top 10 national ranking in either the UPI or AP polls. He was also a key reserve on Clemson’s 1986 ACC Championship team that finished in the top 20. Johnson is regarded as one of the top combination runners and blockers from the running back position in school history. During his Clemson career, he gained 1,579 yards and scored 23 touchdowns. He was also credited with 180 career knockdown blocks, most on record by a Clemson running back. One of the top short-yardage runners in school history, he converted a first down on third or fourth downs with fewer than two yards to go 50 times in 57 career opportunities." He was then drafted by the Houston Oilers in the 10th round of the 1989 NFL Draft. He excelled at special teams and played in 121 NFL games during his 8 year career. Johnson played for the following teams during his career. 1989 Houston Oilers 1990–1991 Atlanta Falcons 1992–1995 Seattle Seahawks 1996 Tampa Bay Buccaneers
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Post by jimsteel on Apr 17, 2023 9:08:47 GMT -5
Don Leppert, a former MLB catcher, passed away at the age of 91. During an MLB career of only 3½ years, Leppert nonetheless distinguished himself by hitting a home run on the first pitch thrown to him in the majors. On June 18, 1961, Leppert connected in the second inning of his MLB debut against Curt Simmons of the St. Louis Cardinals; the blow gave the Pirates a 2–1 lead in a game they would eventually win, 5–3. Almost two years later, on April 11, 1963, he hit three homers in his third game in the American League: a solo shot off Ike Delock in the fourth inning, followed by a three-run blast and another solo homer, both off relief pitcher Chet Nichols Jr., as the Senators beat the Boston Red Sox, 8–0, at DC Stadium. To top it all off, Leppert caught Tom Cheney's one-hit shutout, with the Washington pitcher striking out ten Red Sox. That season, Leppert was selected as a reserve on the American League All-Star team, but he did not play in the July 9 game at Cleveland Stadium. In 190 Major League games, Leppert collected 122 hits, including 22 doubles and 15 home runs. He batted .229. After his playing career ended in the minors in 1966, Leppert managed in Class A in the Pittsburgh organization in 1967. He then embarked upon a 18-year stint as a Major League coach for the Pirates (1968–1976), Toronto Blue Jays (1977–1979) and Houston Astros (1980–1985). In the late 1980s, Leppert served as field coordinator of minor league instruction for the Minnesota Twins and managed in the Twins' farm system. Leppert also umpired a game on August 25, 1978, in Toronto during an umpires' strike. The Blue Jays' Leppert and the late Jerry Zimmerman, then the bullpen coach of the Twins, are the last two active coaches to umpire a Major League game. The following is from Leppert's online obituary: "From a young age Don was intelligent, deliberate, and self - governing. He achieved the venerable rank of Eagle Scout, which spoke not only to the content of his character but to his affinity and proficiency for all things outdoors. After high school, Don enrolled in Wabash College where he played football on scholarship. When the Korean War began, he enlisted in the United States Air Force as an MP. Don served his obligation and was Honorably Discharged in 1958. However, before leaving the Air Force he was drafted from his AF base's baseball team into the minor leagues of baseball . Don began his career playing in the minor league system of the Texas League. Playing in cities all around Texas such as Dallas and Austin. He would eventually make it into the Pirates organization, where he was called up to the majors while playing for the Columbus Jets. Don would join the Pittsburgh Pirates for their 1961 season. Throughout his career, he was involved with many major league teams including the Pittsburgh Pirates, Washington Senators, Toronto Blue Jays, Houston Astros, and finally the Minnesota Twins. As was common of players of his era, in order to sharpen his skills and earn needed extra income, Don spent many winters playing in Central and South America in places such as the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, and Venezuela . Throughout his 40+ years in baseball, Don would accomplish more than most people could dream of. Not least of which would include three World Series rings, a home run, his first major league at bat, three home runs in one game, a 1963 All-Star game selection, a Caribbean World Series title, and an induction into the Indiana Baseball Hall of Fame just to name a few. Don was lucky enough to be in a class of players who were true greats of the game, players like Roberto Clemente, and contribute to some of the best era's of baseball we may ever see. Don never missed an opportunity to reminisce about how lucky he was to have the privilege to play baseball.
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Post by TTX on Apr 17, 2023 9:21:27 GMT -5
RIP to those who have passed.
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Post by jimsteel on Apr 17, 2023 22:56:09 GMT -5
Mike Beard, a former MLB baseball pitcher, passed away at the age of 72. Beard appeared in 74 games — 72 in relief — in the Major Leagues between 1974 and 1977 for the Atlanta Braves and was drafted by the Braves in the first round (18th overall) of the secondary phase of the 1971 Major League Baseball Draft. During college and prior to his pro career, he pitched for the University of Texas at Austin. Beard's finest MLB season came in 1975. He was recalled from the Triple-A Richmond Braves in May, and appeared in 34 games and compiled a perfect 4–0 win–loss record as a relief pitcher. He also made his only two Major League starts that September against the San Diego Padres and San Francisco Giants. He allowed seven hits and five earned runs in an even nine innings pitched as a starter, but did not earn a decision. His professional career ended after the 1977 season, his seventh in the game. During his Major League career, he allowed 128 hits and 45 bases on balls, with 43 strikeouts, in 118 innings pitched. The following is an excerpt from his online obituary: "He was an athlete and avid sportsman his entire life. He was a multi-year letterman in football, baseball, and basketball at Little Rock Central High School in the late 60’s. Mike was a left-handed pitcher and was awarded a baseball scholarship to the University of Texas in 1969-1971. In his three seasons there, opponents batted just .213 against him. His U of T Longhorn teammates are still friends to this day. Mike was selected by the Atlanta Braves in the first round of the 1971 MLB Draft and went on to play four seasons (1974-77) at the major-league level with the team. He was head baseball coach of Springdale American Legion 1986-1988, and 1999. In 2014 he was inducted into the University of Texas Hall of Honor. After baseball, he worked as an account manager for IBM and Merrill Lynch, Senior Vice President of First National Bank of Springdale, President of Arkansas National Bank of Springdale, and President of Springdale Lions Club. He and his business partner, Doy Gillihan, developed and built Moberly Professional Park in Bentonville, Arkansas: tenants included IBM, HP, Microsoft, ATT, EMC, and Cisco".
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Post by jimsteel on Apr 17, 2023 22:57:44 GMT -5
Chris Smith, a former NFL defensive end, passed away at the age of 31. The cause of death has not been released publicly. Smith was selected 159th overall in the fifth round of the 2014 NFL Draft by the Jacksonville Jaguars. He played in college at the University of Arkansas. The pick that the Jaguars used to select Smith was acquired in a trade that sent Eugene Monroe to the Baltimore Ravens. He was released by the Jaguars on September 13, 2014. Two days later, he was then signed to their practice squad and then was promoted to the active roster on October 20. On April 11, 2017, the Jaguars traded Smith to the Cincinnati Bengals in exchange for a 2018 conditional draft pick. Smith was brought in to help a Bengals defense that finished 19th in the league in sacks the previous season. He played in all 16 games, recording a career-high 26 tackles and three sacks. On March 14, 2018, Smith signed a three-year contract with the Cleveland Browns. He played in 16 games, including two starts, recording 21 combined tackles, one sack, two passes defensed, and a forced fumble. On December 3, 2019, Smith was waived by the Browns. Smith was signed by the Las Vegas Raiders on August 24, 2020.He and was released on September 5, 2020, and re-signed to the practice squad the next day. He was subsequently elevated to the active roster on October 10, October 31, November 7, November 21, and November 28 for the team's weeks 5, 8, 9, 11, and 12 games. On July 27, 2021, Smith signed a one-year contract with the Baltimore Ravens. He was released on August 31, 2021 and re-signed to the practice squad the next day. Smith played on the following teams during the regular season in his NFL career: Jacksonville Jaguars (2014–2016) Cincinnati Bengals (2017) Cleveland Browns (2018–2019) Las Vegas Raiders (2020) Houston Texans (2021)
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Post by jimsteel on Apr 17, 2023 23:31:26 GMT -5
Mike Arneson, a former NFL linebacker, passed away at the age of 73. Arneson graduated from the University of Arizona, and was later named to their sports Hall of Fame (1976). Arneson is currently ranked top 10 on two stat lines at the University of Arizona still; 10th in Career Total Tackles (357), 8th in Career Assisted Tackles (171). He led the team in assisted tackles in 1969 and 1970, and led them in unassisted tackles in 1970. He was also a two-time first-team All-WAC selection (1970, 1971). Arneson was selected by the St. Louis Cardinals in the second round of the 1972 NFL Draft and missed only five games during his nine seasons in St. Louis. One of his career highlights came on his birthday in 1979 when he returned a fumble for a touchdown against the New York Giants. Arneson retired after the 1980 season. Arneson played in 127 games during his career and started in 104 of them. He recorded 5 interceptions, 18 fumble recoveries, and 17.5 sacks during his 9 year career.
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Post by TTX on Apr 18, 2023 3:55:19 GMT -5
Sports people dropping quickly. RIP.
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Post by jimsteel on Apr 18, 2023 17:45:38 GMT -5
Frank Lasky, a former tackle in the NFL and CFL, passed away at the age of 81. The following is an excerpt from Lasky's online obituary: "Frank began his lifelong love of athletics, becoming one of Miami's and Florida's premiere athletes. He excelled in football, basketball and track at Coral Gables High School, and received 11 college scholarship offers. Frank accepted a scholarship from the University of Florida where he again excelled. As a college junior, he was drafted by the New York Giants as their first pick. Their scout called Frank the finest college tackle of 1963. Frank married his wife of 61 years, Jody Lacaff Lasky, in 1962. They had two children, Kelle Elizabeth and Robert Francis. Upon retiring from the NFL, Frank moved his family to Miami, Florida, where he coached and assisted many young players in acquiring athletic scholarships. As an educator, Frank spent the second half of his career teaching emotionally handicapped children. For such a big man, he had a big heart and gentle soul. Frank was always the first to volunteer to help those in need. Retiring in 2000, Frank and Jody moved to Franklin." Mr. Lasky was drafted by the New York Giants in the 2nd round (26th overall) of the 1963 NFL Draft and by the San Diego Chargers in the 14th round (106th overall) of the 1963 AFL Draft. He signed with the Giants and played in 18 games during the 1964 and 1965 seasons. He then resurrected his career in Canada, playing for the Montreal Alouettes in 1969.
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Post by on_the_edge on Apr 18, 2023 17:57:35 GMT -5
Chris Smith played in the XFL this year with Seattle. Not sure his status with the team currently, just that he was on the team at some point.
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