Sports Deaths first half 2008

Sports Deaths first half 2008



    Christopher Bowman, age 40, Drug Overdose, Jan. 10:
  • "Bowman the Showman" won the U.S. men's figure skating titles in 1989 and 1992 and skated in the 1988 and 1992 Winter Olympics.

    • Sir Edmund Hillary, age 88, natural causes, Jan. 10:
  • The New Zealander, who became an international celebrity for scaling Mount Everest more than fifty years ago, died at 88.

    • Johnny Podres, age 90, natural causes, Jan. 13:
  • The Dodgers legend pitched Brooklyn to its only World Series title in 1955 and was the first MVP in World Series history.

    • Georgia Frontiere, age 90, natural causes, Jan. 18:
  • She owned the Rams for almost 30 years and moved them to St. Louis in 1995.

    • Ernie Holmes, age 60, Car Crash, Jan. 18:
  • An All-Pro component of Pittsburgh's "Steel Curtain" defense from the 1970s, Holmes was killed in a car accident in Texas.

    • Steve Duplantis, age 30, Heart Attack or Stroke, Jan. 23:
  • The popular PGA Tour caddie was widely regarded for bringing out the best in his players.

    • Mike Holovak, age 90, natural causes, Jan. 27:
  • He led the Patriots to their very first championship game and is the second winningest coach in the team's history.

    • Larry Smith, age 90, natural causes, Jan. 28:
  • Larry Smith complied a 143-126-7 record as a coach at USC, Tulane, Arizona and Missouri.

    • John Grimsley, age 40, Gun Shot, Feb. 6:
  • The former Oilers linebacker and 10-year NFL veteran was found shot in his home.

    • Karl Ehrhardt, age 80, natural causes, Feb, 7:
  • The New York fan, known as the "Sign Man" for his memorable block-lettered signs, was a fixture at Mets games from 1964 through 1981.

    • Steve Fossett, age 70, Plane Crash, Feb, 15:
  • The millionaire adventurer, who became the first person to circle the world solo in a balloon, was last seen in September after taking off in a single-engine plane from an airstrip.

    • Mickey Renaud, age 25, Heart Attack or Stroke, Feb. 18:
  • The Windsor Spitfires captain and fifth-round draft pick by the Calgary Flames was pronounced dead after collapsing in his home. The cause of his death is still unknown.

    • Myron Cope, age 90, natural causes, Feb. 27:
  • The legendary Steelers broadcaster called games during Pittsburgh's glory days of the 1970s and pioneered the Terrible Towel.

    • George Toley, age 90, natural causes, March 1:
  • The former tennis coach led USC to 10 NCAA team titles and was a member of the Collegiate Tennis Hall of Fame.

    • Ereck Plancher, age 21, Heart Attack or Stroke, March 18:
  • The Central Florida redshirt freshman collapsed after voluntary strength and conditioning drills. He was taken to the hospital and was pronouced dead.

    • Art Aragon, age 90, natural causes, March 25:
  • Despite never winning a world title, this former boxer was one of the sport's biggest draws in the 1940s and 1950s.

    • Heath Benedict, age 21, Heart Attack or Stroke, March 26:
  • The offensive lineman, who was projected to be a third-round pick in next month's NFL Draft, is found dead at his home.

    • Marvin Stone, age 21, Heart Attack or Stroke, April 1:
  • The former Louisville basketball star and McDonald's All-American dies after collapsing during halftime of a game.

    • Larry Thomas, age 21, Car Crash, April 4:
  • The rising star receiver at Presbyterian College is killed at the scene of a one-car wreck on an interstate highway.

    • Brienne Davis, age 28, Car Crash, April 8:
  • One of NASCAR's few full-time female inspectors is killed in a car accident at the young age of 28.

    • John Nicoletta, age 27, Fall, April 11:
  • The 27-year old extreme skier tumbles to his death while trying to ski off a band of rock at the Subaru Freeskiing World Championships.

    • Michael Hutts, age 21, Drug Overdose, April 11:
  • The 21-year-old Georgia Tech baseball player was found dead in his off-campus apartment. A medical examiner's report showed that a heroin overdose caused his death.

    • Tommy Holmes, age 91, natural causes, April 14:
  • The Braves star, who held the modern National League record for 33 years by hitting safely in 37 straight games, dies of natural causes at 91.

    • John Marzano, age 45, Fall, April 19:
  • The 45-year-old radio host and former catcher died after apparently taking a fall down a flight of stairs.

    • John H. McConnell, age 90, natural causes, April 25:
  • The steel magnate was the majority owner of the Columbus Blue Jackets, whom he called his gift to the city.

    • Deshean Porchea, age 19, Heart Attack or Stroke, April 23:
  • The 19-year-old Alabama State basketball player passes out after playing in a pickup game and never regains consciousness.

    • Will Robinson, age 90, natural causes, April 28:
  • The first black coach at a Division I program, and a legendary Pistons scout, dies in a nursing home.

    • Buzzie Bavasi, age 93, natural causes, May 1:
  • An influential MLB executive and key figure in the integration of baseball dies at 93.

    • Curtis Whitley, age 39, Heart Attack or Stroke, May 11:
  • The former NFL center, who played for three teams during his career, was 39.

    • Lloyd Moore, age 90, natural causes, May 18:
  • The former NASCAR title winner died in his sleep at the home where he was born. "Lloyd was a connection to the origin of NASCAR," legendary driver Richard Petty said in a statement.

    • Jack Mildren, age 60, natural causes, May 22:
  • The former Oklahoma Sooners quarterback, and Oklahoma lieutenant governor, died from stomach cancer. Mildren was the original pilot of the Sooners' vaunted wishbone offense.

    • Geremi Gonzalez, age 33, Lightning, May 25:
  • The former pitcher for the Cubs, Rays, Red Sox, Mets and Brewers was killed by a lightning strike in his native Venezuela at the age of 33.

    • Luc Bourdon, age 25, Motorcycle Crash, May 29:
  • The Vancouver Canucks defenseman is killed in a motorcycle accident near his hometown.

    • Boris Shaklin, age 60, natural causes, May 30:
  • One of gymnastics' legendary figures passed away Friday from cardiac arrest. The "Mask of Iron" won 13 Olympic medals for the Soviet Union, including four gold medals at the Rome Olympics, over his career.

    • David Jacobs, age 50, Gun Shot, June 5:
  • The convicted steroids dealer and a woman were found shot to death. He had recently met with the NFL about players who had allegedly bought steroids from him before killing himself.

    • Dwight White, age 58, natural causes, June 6:
  • Member of Pittsburgh's famed Steel Curtain defense died at the age of 58. The NFL great is the second member of the original four-man Steel Curtain to die this year.

    • Jim McKay, age 86, natural causes, June 7:
  • The veteran ABC broadcaster, who hosted numerous Olympic games and was the network staple 'Wide World of Sports,' passed away of natural causes at the age of 86.

    • John Rauch, age 90, natural causes, June 10:
  • The former NFL coach led the Raiders to Super Bowl II and was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.

    • Charlie Jones, age 90, natural causes, June 12:
  • The deep-voiced sportscaster's career dated to the beginning of the American Football League in 1960, and his work for ABC and NBC spanned 38 years.

    • John Buzhardt, age 70, natural causes, June 15:
  • The former pitcher pitched for the Cubs and the White Sox during 11 seasons in the major leagues.

    • Jonathan Goddard, age 27, Motorcycle Crash, June 15:
  • The former Marshall University defensive star, right, dies at age 27 following a motorcycle accident in northern Florida.

    • Scott Kalitta, age 30, Car Crash, June 21:
  • Two-time NHRA Top Fuel champion Scott Kalitta died from multiple injuries following a fiery crash at the NHRA SuperNationals qualifying event.