R.I.P. SPORTS RELATED 2024(Non Wrestlers)

[jimsteel]

FROM BOB COOK
Don Lastra, a pro wrestling and roller derby referee that I've been good friends with since 1983! Don passed away yesterday at the age of 88!

He ref'ed at least a hundred of my matches through the years! Great guy, in and out of the ring! Heaven gained another great one!

Referee Don Lastra giving Bill Anderson a tongue lashing for some dastardly deed I just did in a match in 1987 in Los Angeles!

[jimsteel]

Tommy Hart, a legendary defensive end in the NFL and a cherished member of the San Francisco 49ers, passed away at the age of 80.

Born on November 7, 1944, in Macon, Georgia, Hart's career in football was marked by his exceptional talent, dedication, and leadership.
Hart's journey to the NFL began at Mor
ris Brown College, where he played as an offensive guard/tackle and defensive tackle, earning second-team NAIA All-America honors in 1968. He was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in the 10th round of the 1968 NFL Draft. Over his 13-season career, Hart played primarily for the 49ers, with stints at the Chicago Bears and New Orleans Saints. He accumulated 83 sacks, eight fumble recoveries and two interceptions, earning second-team All-Pro honors in 1977 and a Pro Bowl selection in 1976. He was a one-time Pro Bowler in 1976, when he recorded 16 sacks including 6 in a single game versus the Los Angeles Rams. He recorded 17 sacks in 1972 when he was honorable-mention All-NFC. In 1972 and 1976, he earned the Len Eshmont Award, the 49ers most prestigious annual honor. He was then traded to the Chicago Bears before the start of the 1978 season.


Hart was a key member of the 49ers' defensive line, known as "The Gold Rush," and was twice awarded the prestigious Len Eshmont Award for his inspirational and courageous play. After retiring as a player, Hart continued to contribute to the sport as an assistant defensive line coach for the 49ers, helping the team secure three Super Bowl championships. He also served as a scout for the 49ers and later the Dallas Cowboys.

[jimsteel]

Rico Carty, a legendary figure in Major League Baseball and one of the first great Dominican-born stars, passed away at the age of 85.

Born on September 1, 1939, in San Pedro de Macorís, Dominican Republic, Carty's career was marked by his exceptional batting prowess and charismatic presence on the field.

Carty's professional journey began when he signed with the Milwaukee Braves in 1959. He made his MLB debut in 1963 and quickly established himself as a formidable hitter. His greatest fame came with the Milwaukee and Atlanta Braves, where he achieved a National League All-Star Game appearance and won the batting title in 1970 with an impressive .366 average2.

Over his 15-year career, Carty played for several teams, including the Cleveland Indians, Toronto Blue Jays, Oakland Athletics, Texas Rangers, and Chicago Cubs, finishing with a .299 batting average, 204 home runs, and 890 RBIs.

Despite facing numerous challenges, including a bout with tuberculosis that cut short his 1967 season and forced him to miss all of 1968, Carty's resilience and determination saw him return to the field stronger than ever. His remarkable comeback in 1969, where he hit .342, and his record-setting 31-game hitting streak in 1970, are testaments to his enduring talent and spirit.

[jimsteel]

John Richard Brunner, a former NFL assistant coach, passed away at the age of 87.

The following is an excerpt from Brunner's online obituary of which the link will be posted below: "After graduating from Upper Perkiomen High School, he continued his education at the University of Maryland and East Stroudsburg University playing both baseball and football, graduating with a degree in education. John was the first recipient of East Stroudsburg's Outstanding Football Player award in 1959 and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1987.

After college, John's love of teaching spilled onto the football field at Middletown High School, coaching there from 1960 - 1967. He continued coaching at the collegiate level at Villanova University, Temple University and Princeton University for a total of 13 years, before joining the NFL.

In 1980 John joined the Detroit Lions as a running backs coach and continued his coaching career with the Green Bay Packers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Minnesota Vikings. He finished his career in the NFL as a scout with the San Francisco 49ers and reached the pinnacle of his profession when the 49ers defeated the San Diego Chargers, winning Super Bowl XXIX. During his 26-year career in the NFL, John was well respected and stayed close to the many friends that he had made throughout the years.

Brunner coached in the NFL for the following teams:
1987-1991 Minnesota Vikings Running Backs Coach
1985-1986 New England Patriots Pro Scout
1984 Tampa Bay Buccaneers Offensive Moderator
1983 Green Bay Packers Offensive Backs Coach
1980-1982 Detroit Lions Offensive Backfield Coach

[on_the_edge]

He was there for the arrival of Billy Sims. RIP

[jimsteel]

Mike Hasenfratz, a respected NHL referee known for his dedication and consistency on the ice, passed away at the age of 58.

Born in Regina, Saskatchewan, Hasenfratz officiated over 700 NHL games from 2000 to 2014, earning a reputation as one of the most reliable and respected officials in the league.

[TTX]

RIP

[jimsteel]

Joe Zuger, a legendary figure in Canadian football and a beloved member of the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, passed away at the age of 84.

Born on February 25, 1940, in Homestead, Pennsylvania, Zuger's career in the CFL was marked by his versatility, leadership, and remarkable achievements on the field.

Zuger joined the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in 1962 and quickly made an impact, playing as a quarterback, defensive back, and punter.

His debut game was nothing short of spectacular, setting a CFL record by throwing for 572 yards and eight touchdowns in a single game. Over his ten-season career with the Tiger-Cats, Zuger led the team to three Grey Cup championships in 1963, 1965, and 1967, earning the Grey Cup Most Valuable Player honors in 1967.

After retiring as a player, Zuger continued to contribute to the Tiger-Cats organization, serving as the team's general manager from 1981 to 1992. During his tenure, he oversaw the team's 1986 Grey Cup championship