Sports obituaries

[sox83cubs84]

Shaler Halimon, who took an off-the-bench role as a shooting guard and also as a small forward for 5 different pro teams, died on 4/19 at age 76.

From the 1968-69 season through 1972-73, Halimon played for 4 NBA teams (76ers, Bulls, Trailblazers and Hawks) and also for the Dallas Chaparrals in the ABA.

Dave Miedema

[sox83cubs84]

Hal Breeden, a 1B-PH for five years in the NL, died on 5/3 at age 76.

Breeden came to The Show in 1971 with the Cubs, and followed up with 4 seasons as a Montreal Expo.

His brother is



Danny Breeden, a back-up catcher for the Cubs and Reds over parts of 2 seasons.

Dave Miedema

[sox83cubs84]

Colt Brennan, a QB who played college football at Hawaii and who was a 6th round pick by the Redskins in the 2008 NFL Draft, died on 5/11 at age 37.

Dave M.

[sox83cubs84]

Rennie Stennett, a native of Panama who played mostly 2B and SS for 11 years in the NL, died 5/18 at age 70.

Stennett came to the Bigs during the 1971 season with Pittsburgh, with whom he earned 2 World Series rings (1971 and 1979). After the latter, he played his final 2 seasons with the Giants.

In a game at Wrigley Field in 1975 that I attended, Stennett went 7-for-7 at the plate in a 22-0 annihilation of the Cubs. He became the first (and still only) MLB player to go 7-for-7 in a 9-inning game.

Dave Miedema

[sox83cubs84]

Richie Scheinblum, a reserve OF for the Indians and 5 other teams over an 8-year MLB career, died on 5/10 at age 78.

After spending all or part of his first four seasons with Cleveland, he bounced around, appearing with thee expansion Senators, Royals, Reds, Angels and Cardinals. He was a solid reserve outfielder who only played in at least 100 games in a season thrice (1969 Indians, 102, 1972 Royals, 134 and 1973 Reds/Angels, 106.)

Dave Miedema

[sox83cubs84]

Jerry Burns, head coach of the Minnesota Vikings for 6 seasons, did on 5/12 at age 94.

Burns was the field boss for the Vikings from 1986-91, and took his team to the NFC playoffs in 3 straight seasons (1987-89).

Dave M.

[sox83cubs84]

Joe Beckwith, a RHP who took the mound for two MLB teams over 7 seasons, died on 5/22 at age 66.

Beckwith is best remembered by most as a Dodger (1979-80, 1982-83, 1986), he also pitched for the Royals (1984-85), and was part of their 1985 World Series Championship team.

Dave Miedema

[sox83cubs84]

Phil Lombardi, a back-up catcher for both New York MLB teams in the late 1980s, died on 5/20 at age 58.

Lombardi played for the Yankees in both 1986 and 1987, and saw action with the Mets in 1989.

Dave M.

[sox83cubs84]

Mike Marshall, longtime RH relief pitcher, died on 5/31 at age 78.

Best remembered for his time with the Expos (mid-1970 through 1973) and the Dodgers (1974-mid 1976), he first saw action in The Show in 1967 with the Tigers. He was a Seattle Pilot in 1969, and then appeared in 4 games for the 1970 Astros before being acquired by Montreal.

After his trade to the Braves during 1976, he pitched there and started the 1977 season taking the mound in 4 games for Atlanta before being dealt to the Rangers for the remainder of the season. Following that, he pitched for the Twins (1978-80) and finished his MLB career in 1981 with the Mets.

He led the NL in games pitched in 3 different times (1972-74) and topped the AL in the same category once (1979). In 1974, he set an MLB record that has stood since then, taking the mound in 106 games, winning the NL Cy Young Award in the process. He was on 2 All-Star teams.

Dave Miedema

[sox83cubs84]

Jacke Davis, a reserve OF who played in 48 games for the 1962 Phillies, died on 5/30 at age 85.

Dave M.

[sox83cubs84]

Tim Tolman a PH-1B-OF from 1981-87, died on 6/3 at age 65.

Tolman spent his first 5 seasons with the Astros, before playing with the Tigers for his final 2 years.

Dave M.

[sox83cubs84]

Vince Promuto, a guard who played from 1960-71 for the Washington Redskins, died on 6/1, one week shy of his 83rd birthday.

Picked in the 4th round of the 1960 NFL Draft after attending Holy Cross, Promuto was part of 2 Pro Bowl rosters.

Dave Miedema

[sox83cubs84]

Mark Eaton, a center out of UCLA who spent all 11 seasons of his career as the starting center for the Utah Jazz, died on 5/28 at age 64.

From 1982-83 through 1992-93, Eaton was a member of one All-Star team, played in all 82 regular season games 5 times, was named on 5 NBA All-Defensive teams and was the NBA Defensive Player of the Year twice.

Dave Miedema

[sox83cubs84]

Bobby Schmautz, a RW who scored 271 goals over 13 seasons with 5 different NHL teams, died on 3/28, which was his 76th birthday.

Schmautz wore the sweaters of the Blackhawks, Canucks (twice), Bruins, Oilers and Rockies in his career.

Dave M.

[sox83cubs84]

Jim "Mudcat" Grant, a solid RHP in The Show from 1958-71, died on 6/12 at age 85.

Solid in both starting and from the bullpen, Grant finished the 1965 season with a record of 21-7 and an ERA of 3.30 in helping the Twins capture the American League pennant. He also notched 24 saves for Oakland in 1970.

Grant pitched for the Indians and Twins from 1958-67, dealt from the Tribe to Minnesota during th 1964 season. From 1968-71, he bounced around the Majors, taking the mound for the Dodgers, Expos, Cardinals, Pirates and A's.

Dave Miedema