When I was younger baseball came to me through the TV superstations like the Braves on WTBS and the Cubs on WGN. One of the baseball diamond stars of my younger days was Ryan Sandberg. He passed away on July 28th at the age of 65.
He was a Hall of Fame second baseman for the Chicago Cubs. He was the National League MVP in 1984. He was a 10-time All Star.
Some highlights...
Allen Iverson left the Georgetown Hoyas after his sophomore season. That season he was named an All American. In the NBA he was named Rookie of the Year, he was an 11 time All Star and the league MVP in 2001. After his career he ended up in the Basketball Hall of Fame.
Here is someone's list of his top 10 plays
Cal Ripken Jr known as baseball's Iron Man for breaking Lou Gehrig's consecutive games played record and also set the league's record for most consecutive innings played. He won awards from the get-go Rookie of the Year, World Series Champion, Two-time MVP, 19-time All-Star, and capped off with an induction to the Baseball Hall of Fame.
Setting the record...
Last month Hall of Fame race car driver Jack Ingram passed away at the age of 84. He won his Busch Series races on the backside of his 40s. He was the Busch Series Champion in 1982 and 1985. In 1972, 73 and 74 he won the Late Model Sportsman Division Championships.
Induction in the NASCAR Hall of Fame:
Hank Aaron's baseball career ended probably before I discovered baseball. He was the Home Run King most of my life. He earned that title, in a different time, and earning it meant something. He endured stuff he shouldn't have had to when he broke the record. His homerun record broken in 2007 by Barry Bonds. Looking back I don't think it meant as much as when Hank set the bar.
Hank Aaron was a 25 time All Star. He is still the all time leader in runs batted in, extra base hits, and total bases. Obviously a Hall of Fame player. A class act.
Home Run 715
Baseball Hall of Fame member and four time All-Star pitcher Don Sutton died yesterday at the age of 75 due to cancer. He pitched for 23 seasons in the major leagues mostly with the Los Angeles Dodgers where his number 20 jersey is retired. Sutton also pitched for the Houston Astros, Milwaukee Brewers, Oakland Athletics and California Angels.
He was a 300 game winner pitching 324 wins in his career. He only had one 20 win season. However he pitched five no hitters and 58 shutouts. He also threw 3574 strikeouts during his successful career. In his post playing career Sutton was elected to the Atlanta Braves Hall of Fame as a broadcaster.
His Hall of Fame induction speech...
Tommy Lasorda managed the Los Angeles Dodgers for 20 years. His teams won two World Series titles, four National League championships, and his teams won eight division titles. His number was retired by the Dodgers and he became a Hall of Fame inductee based on his success as a manager.
Here is his induction speech for the Hall of Fame...
When someone mentions knuckle ball pitchers the first name that pops in my mind is Phil Niekro. He was pitching well before I was born. However, as a Braves fan it wasn't long before I knew who he was. Later in his career I was able to see him pitch in person, he was playing for the Cleveland Indians and I saw him pitch in Baltimore.
He won 318 games, threw a no hitter, struck out over 3000 batters and is in baseball's Hall of Fame. He lead the league in wins twice, won 5 Gold Gloves, was a 5 time All Star, simply put he was a good pitcher.
He will be missed by his fans, friends and family.
Highlights...
Charley Pride was considered the first Black Country star, one of three African-Americans in the Grand Ole Opry and a Hall of Fame member. He was a two time All Star baseball player in the Negro leagues. In 1956 he was was drafted into the Army. Regardless of his race he could be described as a hero and due to his race he could be described as a pioneer.
A veteran, a talented athlete and a legendary musician that was Charley Pride. As mentioned a member of the Grand Ole Opry and a Country Music Hall of Fame member. 30 number one hits, four Grammy Awards and numerous other awards document an incredible career.'
Here he sings the National Anthem...
Baseball great Joe Morgan has passed away. Many considered Joe Morgan one of the best second baseman to ever play baseball. Joe enjoyed a Hall of Fame career and was a big part of the Big Red Machine of the 70s. The argument for Joe to be considered one of the best second baseman could start with being named a 10-time All Star. His five Gold Glove awards help.
He was on two World Series winning teams. He was the National League MVP in both Championship seasons. His number has been retired by the Cincinnati Reds. He was elected the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1990.
A look back at his career and life from the MLB Network...
Higlights from the 1976 World Series...
Whitey Ford died at the age of 91 watching a playoff baseball game. I imagine watching a game that made you a Hall of Famer, a legend is an appropriate way to pass on.
The Yankee legend won the Rookie of the Year Award in 1950. The following two years he served his country in the Korean War. Serving in the Army would be enough to get him some respect.
The great "Kansas Comet," the legendary Chicago Bears halfback, the author of the book that inspired the movie Brian's Song, the one and only Gale Sayers has passed away at the age of 77. The grid iron legend had suffered from dementia in his latter years.
Not only was he an outstanding halfback he was a dangerous return man as the highlights demonstrate!
Baseball Hall of Famer Lou Brock passed away today. He played in the major leagues for 19 seasons, he was on two World Champion teams.
