IN MEMORIAM By Mark Hollis

As we celebrate the new year, we take pause and reflect back on the notable sports figures we lost in 2019.

Frank Robinson: The first black manager in Major League Baseball and the only player to be voted Most Valuable Player in both leagues. He was 83.

Don Newcombe: Former Brooklyn and Los Angeles Dodger pitcher who was a four time All Star, Rookie of the Year, Cy Young Award winner, and Most Valuable Player. He was 92.

Forrest Gregg: Former offensive lineman with the Green Bay Packers who was a seven time All Pro selection and a member of the NFL All Decade Team. He was 85.

John Havlicek: Boston Celtics great who was a thirteen-time NBA All-Star and an eight-time league champion. He was 79.

Bart Starr: Green Bay Packer quarterback and a NFL two-time Super Bowl Champion and Super Bowl MVP. He was also a Most Valuable Player selection and a member of the All-Decade team of the 1960’s. He was 85.

Pernell “Sweet Pea” Whitaker: A four-time World Champion in four different weight classes. Voted Pound for Pound the best boxer for 10 years straight. He was 55.

Nick Buoniconti: Mr. Miami Dolphin and leader of the famed “No Name Defense”. Nick was a two-time Super Bowl Champion and two-time Pro Bowl selection. He was 78.

Clem Daniels: Former Oakland Raider, Clem was a four-time American Football League All-Star and was voted Most Valuable Player in 1963. Daniels was the All Time Rushing Leader and was voted to the league’s All-Time team. He was 81.

Cliff Branch: A former Oakland Raider, Cliff was a four-time Pro Bowl selection as a wide receiver and was a three time All Pro selection. He won three Super Bowl’s in fourteen seasons with the Raiders. He was 71.

Willie Brown: Was a former Oakland Raider defensive back who was selected to the NFL 100 Year All-Time Team. He was a three-time Super Bowl Champion and was selected to the Pro Bowl Four times. He was 78.

Wendell Hayes: NFL running back for the Kansas City Chiefs. An eleven-year veteran in the league, Wendell won Super Bowl IV as the starting fullback under the tutelage of Coach Hank Stram. He was 79.

We continue to honor their memories and how each contributed to their respective sports.