BB: Requiem in pace (R.I.P.)

[Ralph Turner]

In a 154 or 162 game regular season, you build friendships with the heroes of your youth.

Here is the news release of the death of former Dodger CF Willie Davis.

http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/Long-time-Los-Angeles-Dodgers-CF-Willie-Davis-found-dead-030910

[Ralph Turner]

In a 154 or 162 game regular season, you build friendships with the heroes of your youth.

Here is the news release of the death of former Dodger CF Willie Davis.

http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/Long-time-Los-Angeles-Dodgers-CF-Willie-Davis-found-dead-030910

Willie Davis, I remember his defense.  The Dodgers were my grandmother's team, going back the days of the Ft Worth Cats, which was the Texas League (Double A) franchise in the Dodger farm system.  We watched the Dodgers whenever they were on TV.

[Ralph Turner]

Mike Cuellar

AL Cy Young co-winner in 1969, 4-time All-Star.

[Ralph Turner]

Ernie Harwell    

Let me quote Matthew May from this essay.

...Ernie’s final words on the air as the regular Tiger broadcaster were “I thank you very much and God bless you all.” Well, we who grew up and grew old listening to Ernie Harwell thank God that He blessed us with Ernie Harwell.

[Mr. Ypsi]

Ernie Harwell    

Let me quote Matthew May from this essay.

...Ernie’s final words on the air as the regular Tiger broadcaster were “I thank you very much and God bless you all.” Well, we who grew up and grew old listening to Ernie Harwell thank God that He blessed us with Ernie Harwell.

Ernie (no one in Michigan needed to say the last name) was arguably the most beloved man in the history of Michigan.  (And only Rosa Parks, who spent her last 30+ years here, would rival him for most beloved person.)

Though 8 years retired, he still made occasional public appearances and wrote an occasional column in the Detroit papers - he is sorely missed.

[Ralph Turner]

Robin Roberts  Best known for his stint with the Phillies in the 1950's.

[Jim Dixon]

Adrian's Chad Meyer (1988-2010)

http://adrianbulldogs.cstv.com/sports/m-basebl/spec-rel/050710aaa.html

[Mr. Ypsi]

While not a baseball man, perhaps the greatest coach ever in ANY sport, John Wooden, died this evening at the age of 99.

He set records that will never even be approached, much less beaten.

R.I.P, John Wooden.

[Ralph Turner]

While not a baseball man, perhaps the greatest coach ever in ANY sport, John Wooden, died this evening at the age of 99.

He set records that will never even be approached, much less beaten.

R.I.P, John Wooden.

Wooden story   

During World War II, Wooden enlisted in the Navy to serve as a physical trainer for combat pilots. Upon his discharge in 1946, he took a job as athletic director and coach of the basketball and baseball teams at what is now Indiana State University.

I was trying to find the appropriate board on which to post the link. 

Good choice...  

[Mr. Ypsi]

Thanks, Ralph.  I guess he was a baseball man after all!

[vabaseball]

And hats off to young Chad Meyer.  I just read the post.  Very sad, very moving.

And to John Wooden as well...

[Ralph Turner]

Thanks, Ralph.  I guess he was a baseball man after all!

Rick Reilly says that baseball was Coach Wooden's favorite sport.

Thanks to Gray Fox for the link.

[Ralph Turner]

Robert Leo Sheppard (1910-2010)

As Reggie Jackson called him, "The Voice of God".

Farewell to fans.

Bob Sheppard announces the final lineup.

[CrashDavisD3]

'Boss' George Steinbrenner (1930 - 2010)
The greatest owner in sports history

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/video/2010/07/13/VI2010071302109.html

http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=5375859

[Gregory Sager]

'Boss' George Steinbrenner (1930 - 2010)
The greatest owner in sports history

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/video/2010/07/13/VI2010071302109.html

http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=5375859

No, the greatest owner in sports history was George Halas. He not only started a team, he started a league that has been the most popular professional sports league in the United States for the past two generations.

Steinbrenner was a phenomenally successful owner in terms of elevating the value of his franchise and winning on the field, but a very strong argument can be made that his buy-a-pennant strategy has damaged major league baseball overall.