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Post by jimsteel on Oct 13, 2023 23:01:26 GMT -5
Jeff Peterek, a former MLB pitcher, passed away at the age of 61. The following is an excerpt from Peterek's online obituary: "Jeff was an extremely gifted athlete from a young age, and upon graduation from high school, his elite talent on the baseball field attracted the attention of several colleges. He went on to embrace the opportunity to play the sport he loved, quickly rising to the pinnacle of his craft with the impressive chance to play professional baseball. Jeff's talent and determination led him to a successful career playing for the Milwaukee Brewers in the Major Leagues, an experience most people could only dream of. His passion for sports was palpable, not only in his professional baseball career, but also in his personal life where he was later found ready to cheer on his nieces and nephews in all their athletic endeavors. While baseball took Jeff to many different areas of the world, he also always found time to root for his beloved Notre Dame Fighting Irish. After his career in Major League baseball, Jeff embarked on a new chapter in his life, applying the same dedication and commitment from his athletic career to a real estate business in Southwest Michigan." He played part of one season in the major leagues in 1989 for the Milwaukee Brewers, playing seven games. He lived every boy's dream of one day playing in the MLB. The following are the teams Mr. Peterek played on during his entire professional baseball career. Year Age Tm Lg Lev Aff Stint From To 1985 21 Beloit Brewers Midwest League A MIL 1986 22 Stockton Ports California League A MIL 1987 23 Stockton Ports California League A MIL 1987 23 El Paso Diablos Texas League AA MIL 1988 24 Denver Zephyrs American Association AAA 1988 24 El Paso Diablos Texas League AA MIL 1989 25 Denver Zephyrs American Association AAA 1989 25 Milwaukee Brewers American League Maj MIL 1 1990 26 Denver Zephyrs American Association AAA 1991 27 Richmond Braves International League AAA 1991 27 Tecolotes de los Dos Laredos Mexican Leag
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Post by TTX on Oct 14, 2023 17:54:27 GMT -5
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Post by jimsteel on Oct 15, 2023 12:20:47 GMT -5
Milt Black, a retired professional ice hockey forward, passed away at the age of 74. . He played in 186 games in the World Hockey Association with the Winnipeg Jets. During his career, he scored 28 goals with 31 assists. He played with the Winnipeg Jets from 1972-1975. Black was originally drafted into the NHL by the Chicago Black Hawks during the 1969 draft as the 36th overall pick. The following is an excerpt from Black's online obituary: "He was an incredible athlete and played many sports as a child. He played in the Western Canada Junior Hockey League and Western Canada Hockey League and played for Team Canada 1967-68. At age 20, he was the 36th overall NHL Amateur draft pick, chosen by the Chicago Black Hawks, and won the Central Hockey League title with their farm team, the Dallas Black Hawks in 1972. When the Winnipeg Jets were building their first WHA team in 1972, Milt was recruited as one of the star hometown players alongside other greats such as Bobby Hull. After 3 seasons with the Jets, Milt took the opportunity to see the world and played in Sweden for 2 years and for 2 years for Augsburg EV in Germany. His points record for Augsburg remains unbeaten. After a serious leg injury during a game that ended his hockey career, Milt settled in Matlock, Manitoba. He did some first class work as a sports commentator. His commentary was always articulate, intelligent, and insightful. Milt’s commentary skills were an accurate reflection of who he was as a person. He then fulfilled his dream of a life of skiing and golfing by moving to Invermere BC, working at Panorama Ski Resort in the winters, and the Radium Golf Course in the summers. Milt loved sports, music, nature, food and cats, among other things."
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Post by jimsteel on Oct 16, 2023 9:17:01 GMT -5
Ice hockey player Jan Dalgic, 25, has died Goalkeeper Dalgic had played in his native Germany’s second league and youth national teams during his career. He managed to play 15 matches in the country’s third-tier Oberliga last season, the last one on January 3.
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Post by jimsteel on Oct 16, 2023 17:26:39 GMT -5
Fred Boyd, a former guard in the NBA, passed at the age of 73. He played in 3 seasons for the Philadelphia 76ers and 3 seasons for the New Orleans Jazz. Boyd played in 327 games during his NBA career. He played in college for Oregon State University, and was drafted in the first round (5th pick overall) of the 1972 NBA draft by the Philadelphia 76ers. Following his playing career, Boyd became a coach at the high school and junior high level. He also served as an assistant coach for his alma mater from 1987 to 1992. Oregon State released the following statement in reference to Boyd's passing. "Oregon State great Freddie Boyd has passed away at the age of 73.Boyd lettered at Oregon State for three seasons (1970-72) and was named the team MVP in '71 and '72. He earned All-America and All-Pac-8 acclaim as a senior and was a two-time Far West Classic MVP. Boyd was inducted into the OSU Athletics Hall of Fame in 1992. At the time of his enshrinement in 1992, he was 12th on the OSU career scoring list with 1,221 points (then fourth-highest ever). He set the school record for single-season assists in his last two years."
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Post by jimsteel on Oct 16, 2023 22:20:39 GMT -5
Ron East, a former NFL defensive lineman, passed away at the age of 80. The following is an excerpt from East's online obituary: "He attended Lincoln High School, where it soon became clear that he was a gifted athlete, especially in football, wrestling, and track & field (javelin). After high school, he worked in construction for a short period of time, but then went on to serve in the U.S. Marine Corps. In 1964 he decided to pursue his interest in football and enrolled at Columbia Basin College in Pasco, Wash., where he started as a defensive tackle. He helped the team go undefeated and win the NWAC championship in 1965, and he received All-Conference honors twice. In 1966 he enrolled at Montana State University in Bozeman, Mont., and started at defensive tackle for the Bobcat team as it captured the Big Sky conference championship and went on to win the Camelia Bowl in Sacramento, Calif. Ron received All-Conference for his efforts. He was also the Big Sky javelin champion that year. Following college, Ron turned his attention to professional football and the possibility of playing in the NFL. He signed with the Dallas Cowboys in 1967 and played for the Cowboys for four years, participating in the infamous "Ice Bowl Game" against the Green Bay Packers on the "frozen tundra" of Lambeau field. He also played in Super Bowl V in his last year with the Cowboys. Later, Dallas' celebrated Coach Tom Landry would say Ron was the most aggressive player he had ever coached. But Ron was determined to get more playing time and asked to be traded. The Cowboys obliged and traded him to the San Diego Chargers along with two other players for Chargers star receiver Lance Alworth in a very newsworthy trade known as the "Bambi Trade." Ron started for the Chargers at defensive tackle and became a stalwart in the Charger line. After three years with the Chargers, he signed with the Hawaiians of the fledgling World Football League seeking better opportunities. When the young league folded after the first year, the Chargers had retained his NFL rights and traded him to the Cleveland Browns in 1975. In 1976, he started for the Atlanta Falcons, followed by a final year as a starter for the Seattle Seahawks in 1977. After his NFL career ended, Ron went on to become a real estate broker based in Redmond, Wash., until his retirement. East had accepted a football scholarship from Oregon State University, but he was considered too small to eventually become a starter. He decided to leave school after his freshman season and enlist in the Marine Forces Reserve. After boot camp, he opted to transfer to Columbia Basin College. He was a starter at defensive tackle, he received All-Conference honors twice while helping his team go undefeated and win the NWAC Championship in 1965. In 1966, he transferred to Montana State University for his senior season. He contributed to the team winning the Big Sky conference championship and received All-Conference honors. He was also the Big Sky javelin champion. In 1994, he was inducted into the Northwest Athletic Conference Hall of Fame. In 1999, he was inducted into the Montana State University Hall of Fame. Mr. East had 28 career sacks and played for the following teams during his pro football career. Dallas Cowboys (1967–1970) San Diego Chargers (1971–1973) The Hawaiians (1974) Cleveland Browns (1975) Atlanta Falcons (1976) Seattle Seahawks (1977)
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Post by jimsteel on Oct 17, 2023 20:13:29 GMT -5
Bob Priddy, a former MLB pitcher, passed away at the age of 83. This information was posted by his sister-in-law. Priddy signed with his hometown Pittsburgh Pirates in 1959, Priddy spent 13 seasons in professional baseball. Called to the Pirates after the completion of the 1962 minor-league season, he got credit for a victory in his MLB debut. Entering the September 20 game in the ninth inning with the Bucs trailing the Cincinnati Reds 3–1 at Forbes Field, Priddy held Cincinnati off the scoresheet. Then, in the home half of the ninth, Pittsburgh rallied for three runs to claim the victory for Priddy. His next major-league audition came during the 1964 campaign, when he worked in 19 games pitched, all of them in relief, and compiled a 1–2 won–lost record, with one save and an earned run average of 3.93. The Pirates then packaged Priddy in a February 1965 trade, sending him and first baseman Bob Burda to the San Francisco Giants for veteran catcher Del Crandall. The Giants loaned Priddy to the Pirates' Columbus Jets Triple-A affiliate for the bulk of the 1965 season, but were able to use him in eight games out of the bullpen. Then, in 1966, Priddy spent his first full season in the majors, working in 38 games for the Giants, including three assignments as a starting pitcher. Although Priddy lost all three starts, they were the only defeats he absorbed all year, going 6–0 as a relief pitcher with one save. San Francisco then used him in an off-season inter-league trade with the Washington Senators to reacquire left-hander Mike McCormick. The 1967 Senators and 1968 Chicago White Sox gave Priddy 26 opportunities as a starting pitcher. Two of Priddy's 1967 starts came against the pennant-bound Boston Red Sox, and he defeated them each time (on June 16 and August 23). He won only three contests all year, and lost seven decisions, with four saves. The White Sox acquired Priddy in February 1968, and he worked in 114 innings pitched for them, a career high, with 18 starts that season. But he posted a 3–11 won–lost mark, and was soon on the move again, traded to the California Angels on May 14, 1969 in a deal that netted Chicago second baseman Bobby Knoop. After 15 games with the Angels and a stint at Triple-A Hawaii, Priddy was acquired by the contending Atlanta Braves on September 8, along with Hall of Fame knuckleball artist Hoyt Wilhelm; one of the prospects the Angels received in return was Mickey Rivers, then a 20-year-old minor-leaguer. Atlanta turned out to be Priddy's last stop in professional baseball. He worked in 82 games, all in relief, through the 1971 season, won nine games (losing 14) and saved 12 more, with a mediocre ERA of 4.79. For his major-league career, Priddy appeared in 249 games, 220 in relief, and posted a 24–38 (4.00) record with 18 saves and three complete games. In 536 innings pitched, he permitted 518 hits and 198 bases on balls, with 294 strikeouts. Priddy played for the following teams during his MLB career. Pittsburgh Pirates (1962, 1964) San Francisco Giants (1965–1966) Washington Senators (1967) Chicago White Sox (1968–1969) California Angels (1969) Atlanta Braves (1969–1971)
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Post by jimsteel on Oct 18, 2023 16:17:15 GMT -5
Richard "Dick" Bielski, a former NFL fullback, placekicker and end passed away at the age of 91. Bielski played college football at the University of Maryland and played in the National Football League for the Philadelphia Eagles, Dallas Cowboys, and Baltimore Colts. He accepted a football scholarship with the University of Maryland, where he played as a fullback, linebacker, and placekicker. In 1954 he was a preseason All-American candidate, but injuries affected his level of play during the season. Still, he was able to finish his college career averaging more than five yards per carry. At the end of the year, he was selected to play in the Chicago College All-Star Game, Senior Bowl, and the North-South Shrine Game, where he was voted the outstanding player of the game. Bielski was selected by the Philadelphia Eagles in the first round with the ninth overall pick of the 1955 NFL Draft, becoming the highest-drafted running back from Maryland. During his first years, he made a team record two 50-yard field goals. In 1958, he was converted into an end and after the 1959 season, the Eagles left him off their list of players who were exempt from the 1960 NFL Expansion Draft. Bielski was acquired by the Dallas Cowboys in the 1960 NFL Expansion Draft. He was involved in the record for the shortest touchdown pass in league history after catching an Eddie LeBaron pass from the 2-inch line against the Redskins on October 9, 1960. In 1961 he earned his only Pro Bowl berth, with career highs of 26 receptions for 377 yards and three touchdowns. He also took over placekicker duties from Allen Green for the final five games of the season. During the 1962 offseason, needing help on defense, the Cowboys traded Bielski to the Baltimore Colts in a three-team deal. The Colts sent a third-round draft pick (#33, used to select Mike Fracchia) to the St. Louis Cardinals, and in return the Cardinals sent safety/punter Jerry Norton to the Cowboys. In 1962, Bielski played as a placekicker and backup tight end. In 1963, he retired at the end of the season. In a nine-year career, he had 107 receptions for 1,305 yards, 229 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns. He also kicked 58 extra points and 26 field goals. In 1964, he was hired by the Baltimore Colts as the wide receivers coach under head coach Don Shula. In 1973, he was named the wide receivers coach with the Washington Redskins and in 1977, he returned as the wide receivers coach for the Baltimore Colts. In 1983, he was hired as the offensive coordinator for the Washington Federals in the United States Football League and in 1984, he was the team's head coach for the final 17 games of the season, going 3–14. The following is an excerpt from Bielski's online obituary: "Dick Bielski's journey in football commenced at Patterson Park High School, where he quickly emerged as a standout All-Maryland Scholastic Association fullback. He continued at the University of Maryland on a football scholarship, showcasing his versatility by excelling as a fullback, linebacker and placekicker. Despite enduring injuries during his college years, he earned recognition and participated in prestigious games such as the Chicago College All-Star Game, Senior Bowl, and the North-South Shrine Game. In 1955, the Philadelphia Eagles selected Bielski in the first round of the NFL Draft, making him the highest-drafted running back from Maryland. During his tenure with the Eagles, he achieved significant milestones, including setting a team record for two 50-yard field goals. After the 1959 season, Bielski was acquired by the Dallas Cowboys in the 1960 NFL Expansion Draft. He etched his name in NFL history by catching a touchdown pass from a mere 2-inch line, setting a record for the shortest touchdown pass in NFL history. In 1962, Bielski returned to Baltimore, joining the Colts, where he showcased his skills as a placekicker and backup tight end. Bielski's legacy extended beyond his playing career as he transitioned into coaching. He joined the Baltimore Colts as the wide receivers coach in 1964, working under the legendary head coach, Don Shula, defeating the Cowboys in Superbowl V. His coaching career continued with the Washington Redskins in 1973, and he later returned to the Baltimore Colts as the wide receivers coach in 1977. In 1983, he served as the offensive coordinator for the Washington Federals in the United States Football League, and in 1984, he took the reins as the team's head coach.
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Post by on_the_edge on Oct 19, 2023 3:27:10 GMT -5
I always love the old school guys who played running back/fullback and/or defensive position while also being a placekicker. RIP
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Post by on_the_edge on Oct 19, 2023 15:58:13 GMT -5
I found out today that PGA golfer Andy Bean who recently passed away, posted earlier in thread, was an alumnus of Lakeland High School. Of course, he graduated way before I moved here but still cool.
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