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Post by jimsteel on Oct 3, 2023 14:56:03 GMT -5
Joe Christopher, a former MLB outfielder, passed away at the age of 87 This was reported via social media by friends and family members. Christopher reached the big leagues with the 1959 Pittsburgh Pirates, spending three years there before moving to the New York Mets (1962–65) and Boston Red Sox (1966). While in Pittsburgh, Christopher was used as a backup in all three outfield positions for Bob Skinner (LF), Bill Virdon (CF), and Roberto Clemente (RF). Christopher was first called up when Clemente was injured, making his debut in nothing less than Harvey Haddix's near-perfect game, on May 26, 1959. As a member of the 1960 World Series Champion Pirates, Christopher was a utility player, pinch-running in three games and scoring two runs in games 2 and 5. Christopher became the Mets’ fifth pick in the 1961 MLB Expansion Draft. In 1964, he enjoyed easily his finest season as a major-leaguer, hitting .300, with 16 home runs, 76 runs batted in (RBI), 78 runs, 163 hits, 26 doubles, and eight triples, in 154 games — all career-highs. Christopher had a career-best day on August 19, collecting two triples, a double, and a home run in an 8–6 victory over his former Pirates teammates. Then, on September 25, he broke up the no-hit bid of Cincinnati Reds pitcher Jim Maloney at Shea Stadium. Christopher's second-inning single was the only hit against Maloney, who had to settle for a 3–0 shutout. Christopher played briefly in 1966 for the Red Sox and was dealt with pitcher Earl Wilson to the Detroit Tigers, who sent Julio Navarro as part of the package. Although Christopher's major league career came to an end on June 9, 1966 (he never played for Detroit), he stayed active in the minors through 1968. Christopher also played winter baseball in the Dominican Republic, Mexico, and Puerto Rico. During his time in the Puerto Rican Winter League, he played for the San Juan Senadores in 1954–1955, Mayaguez Indios from 1957 to 1963 and later with the Caguas Criollos in 1967–1968. During his time in the PRWL he won multiple championships playing with Mayaguez and Caguas. He was also a 4-time stolen base leader in the PRWL 1. An interesting event that occurred during the 1958-1959 Puerto Rican Winter League campaign was Christopher getting beaned in the helmet by a pitch from Ruben "El Divino Loco" Gomez Colon of the Santurce Cangrejeros causing a near riot by irate Mayaguez fans who overturned Gomez's red corvette after the game and were inconsolable even after Christopher attempted to calm the crowd over the PA.
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Post by jimsteel on Oct 4, 2023 21:15:06 GMT -5
Wayne Comer, a former MLB outfielder, passed away at the age of 79. He played professional baseball for 13 seasons from 1962 through 1974, including stints with four major league teams: the Detroit Tigers (1967, 1968, 1972), the Seattle Pilots / Milwaukee Brewers (1969–1970), and the Washington Senators (1970). Comer was originally signed in 1962 by the Washington Senators as an amateur free agent. He made his professional debut that year for the Class-B Raleigh Capitals, batting .229 with three home runs and 28 runs batted in (RBI) in 78 games. In 1969, Comer's only full season in the majors, he led the Seattle Pilots in runs scored, led the American League in double plays turned as an outfielder and ranked second in the American League in assists from the outfield. He was also a member of the 1968 Detroit Tigers and compiled a perfect 1.000 postseason batting average with a pinch-hit single off Joe Hoerner in his only at-bat in Game 3 of the 1968 World Series. In September 1967, Comer was called up by the Detroit Tigers. He made his major league debut on September 17, 1967, and appeared in four games that season. With one hit in three at bats, he compiled a .333 batting average. The following year, Comer began the season in Toledo but was called up by the Tigers after Al Kaline broke a bone in his forearm in late May 1968. Comer appeared in 48 games for the 1968 Detroit Tigers, principally as a backup outfielder. He compiled a .125 batting average with one triple, one home run and 3 RBI in 48 at bats. Comer made an appearance in Game 3 of the 1968 World Series, getting a pinch-hit single off Joe Hoerner in his only at-bat for a perfect 1.000 World Series batting average. On October 15, 1968, Comer was claimed by the newly formed Seattle Pilots as the 41st pick in the 1968 expansion draft. In 1969, Comer was an every-day starter for the Pilots in the outfield, mostly in center field. He led the team in runs scored with 88. He was also second on the Pilots in home runs with 15, trailing Don Mincher. Comer also stole 18 bases, and his combined "Power/Speed Number" was 16.4 — eighth best in the American League. He also led the American League in 1969 with six double plays turned as an outfielder. His 14 assists from the outfield ranked second in the American League. In Jim Bouton’s bestselling book Ball Four, he describes Comer as often hostile, belligerent, profane, and eager to engage in fist fights. In 1970, the Pilots moved to Milwaukee and became the Milwaukee Brewers. Comer appeared in 13 games for the Brewers and compiled an .059 batting average (1-for-17) with one RBI. On May 10, 1970, Comer was traded by the Brewers to the Washington Senators for Hank Allen and Ron Theobald. Comer appeared in 77 games for the Senators, compiling a .233 batting average (.346 on-base percentage) with 8 RBI in 129 at bats. On December 5, 1970, Comer was purchased by the Detroit Tigers from the Senators. He spent the 1971 season with the Toledo Mud Hens, appearing in 136 games with a .279 batting average, nine home runs, 51 RBI, and a .373 on-base percentage. He was called up by the Tigers for a portion of the 1972 season, appearing in 27 games mostly as a defensive replacement in the outfield. He had only one hit in nine at bats (.111) for the 1972 Tigers. Comer continued to play in the minor leagues for two more years. He played for the Mud Hens in 1973 and the Reading Phillies in 1974.
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Post by jimsteel on Oct 5, 2023 14:45:03 GMT -5
Johnny Mathis(not the singer) who played one season in the American Basketball Association Passed away at the age of 80. . Mathis played college basketball at Savannah State. Following the close of his college career, he played two seasons in Spain. He returned to the United States to play for the New Jersey Americans of the ABA for the 1967–68 season, averaging 3.4 points and 3.8 rebounds over 51 games. After finishing his career with the Allentown Jets in the Eastern League, he became a high school coach for John F. Kennedy High School in New York City, winning over 600 games in his career. He was inducted into the New York City Basketball Hall of Fame in 2015. Mathis was a power forward during his pro career and he played for the following teams: 1967–1968 New Jersey Americans (later became the Nets) 1968–1969 Allentown Jets 1969–1971 Hamden Bics 1971–1972 Allentown Jets 1972–1973 Scranton Apollos
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Post by jimsteel on Oct 5, 2023 17:48:11 GMT -5
Dick Butkus, a former NFL linebacker and Hall of Famer, passed away at the age of 80. The name Butkus was one that sportsfans and regular folks alike knew who you were talking about. Butkus was a cultural icon. He played football as a linebacker for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League from 1965 to 1973. He was invited to eight Pro Bowls, named a first-team All-Pro six times, and was twice recognized by his peers as the NFL's Defensive Player of the Year. He was renowned as a fierce tackler and for the relentless effort with which he played and is widely regarded as one of the greatest and most intimidating linebackers in professional football history. Butkus was born in Chicago and played his entire football career in his home state of Illinois, which began at Chicago Vocational High School. He was a linebacker and a center for the Illinois Fighting Illini. He was a twice consensus All-American, and he led the Illini to a Rose Bowl victory in 1963 and was deemed the most valuable player in the Big Ten Conference. He was named college football's Lineman of the Year in 1964. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1983. Butkus was selected by the Bears as the third overall pick in the 1965 NFL Draft. He soon established himself as a ball hawk with his penchant for forcing turnovers. In his NFL career, he intercepted 22 passes and recovered 27 fumbles (a record when he retired), and he was responsible for causing many more fumbles with his jarring tackles. His tackling ability earned him both admiration and trepidation from opposing players. According to Hall of Fame defensive end Deacon Jones, Butkus "was a well-conditioned animal, and every time he hit you, he tried to put you in the cemetery, not the hospital." In 2009, the NFL Network named Butkus the most feared tackler of all time. Butkus is credited with having defined the middle linebacker position, and is still viewed as the "gold standard by which other middle linebackers are measured." He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1979, and his No. 51 jersey is retired by the Bears. Following his playing career, Butkus began careers in acting, sports commentary, and celebrity endorsement. He is active in philanthropy through the Butkus Foundation, which manages various charitable causes.
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Post by TTX on Oct 5, 2023 18:09:37 GMT -5
RIP Dick. One of the top linebackers for sure.
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Post by on_the_edge on Oct 5, 2023 18:41:27 GMT -5
It is funny how life works. Butkus passes away and soon the Bears will be playing as they look for first win of the season. I hope they can win for him. He was one cool cat. RIP
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Post by jimsteel on Oct 5, 2023 22:13:37 GMT -5
Ove Johansson, a former NFL place kicker, passed away at the age of 75. Johansson holds the record for the longest field goal in NCAA history. The following is an excerpt from Johansson's online obituary: "Ove was born in Gothenburg, Sweden on March 31, 1948, to John and Britt Johansson. An inherently gifted athlete and professional soccer player in his native Sweden, Ove was encouraged by his father to immigrate to the United States. During his time in the Swedish Navy, a friend invited him to play soccer in the US and help initiate a soccer program in Dallas, TX. This invitation not only opened the door for Ove's American dream but for an epic romance. Ove had been playing soccer with a European Exhibition team in the US for months, but an October 1972 match in Irving, Texas became a game-changer. At halftime, the blonde-haired, blue-eyed Swede found himself distracted by a girl in the stands: April Lark Bankes. Barely able to speak English, he asked for her phone number. Through a series of serendipitous circumstances, the two found themselves attending Abilene Christian University, where Ove graduated in 1977 with a B.S.Ed. degree. They married on August 6, 1976. Two months later, on October 16, 1976, Ove kicked a world record setting 69-yard field goal at the Homecoming game between Abilene Christian and East Texas State, a record that still stands. Ove then became the oldest player ever drafted into the NFL at 28 years old, where he kicked for the Houston Oilers, the Philadelphia Eagles, and the Dallas Cowboys. Following his stint in the NFL, Ove and April moved to Amarillo, where Ove eventually began Johansson & Associates Financial Services. Although Johansson had stints with the Oilers and Cowboys in pre-season and on the practice squad, he was only able to kick in 2 NFL games for the Philadelphia Eagles in 1977.
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Post by jimsteel on Oct 7, 2023 11:54:36 GMT -5
Wayne Comer, a member of the Detroit Tigers’ 1968 World Series championship team, passed away at the age of 79. Comer was called up to the big-league club from Toledo when star outfielder Al Kaline was hit by a pitch, fracturing his forearm. Comer served as an extra outfielder, pinch hitter and even third catcher, according to his bio by the Society for American Baseball Research.
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Post by TTX on Oct 7, 2023 11:55:55 GMT -5
Ahh the series where they moved an outfielder to shortstop because Ray Oyler couldn't hit for beans and they wanted some extra offense.
RIP Wayne.
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Post by on_the_edge on Oct 7, 2023 16:41:40 GMT -5
Thanks to Oyler, Baez will not be known as the worst hitting shortstop in Tiger's history. RIP
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