Andy Robustelli, Hall of Fame defensive end with Rams and Giants, dies at 85

Andy Robustelli, a Pro Football Hall of Famer who was a standout defensive end for the Los Angeles Rams and the New York Giants in the 1950s and '60s, has died in Stamford, Conn. He was 85.

Robustelli, an end from Arnold College, was selected by the then-Los Angeles Rams in the 19th round of the 1951 draft. Undersized for his position at 6-foot-1 and 230 pounds, Robustelli was considered a long shot to make the team, according to his online biography on the website of the Hall of Fame, located in Canton, Ohio. He went on to earn seven Pro Bowl selections in 14 seasons with the Rams and Giants.

Those seasons included NFL championships with the Rams in 1951 and the Giants in 1956. In 1962, the Maxwell Club named Robustelli the NFL's outstanding player.

Robustelli eventually played nine seasons with the Giants, the last three as a player coach. He missed one game his entire career and was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1971.

More later at latimes.com/obits.

-- Bloomberg News

Former Sparks player Margo Dydek dies at 37

 

Margo Dydek, a former WNBA star who played with four teams in the professional women's basketball league, including the Sparks, died Friday in Brisbane, Australia, a week after suffering a heart attack. She was 37.

Cathy Roberts, the operations manager for the Northside Wizards in the Queensland Basketball League, where Dydek was head coach, confirmed her death.

The Poland-born Dydek, who was pregnant with her third child, suffered the heart attack on May 19. She collapsed at her home in Brisbane and was put in a medically induced coma.

Roberts said that Dydek was at an early stage in her pregnancy and that her unborn child had also died.

Dydek was the No. 1 pick in the 1998 WNBA draft by the Utah Starzz. She also played for San Antonio, Connecticut and the Sparks.

The 7-foot-2 Dydek was once said to be the tallest active professional female basketball player in the world.

She held the record for most blocks in a WNBA career, with 877 in 323 games, and led the league in blocks nine times, from 1998 to 2003 and again from 2005-07.

In August 2008, Dydek signed with the Sparks following time away from basketball due to the birth of her first son in April 2008.

An entry on Dydek's Facebook page says she was born April 28, 1974, in Warsaw, Poland, to a 6-foot-7 father and a 6-foot-3 mother. She had two sisters, and her elder sister, Kashka used to play for the Colorado Explosion of the now-defunct ABL, and in Poland.

Tina Thompson, a former teammate of Dydek's on the Sparks, said on the WNBA's Twitter feed: "My condolences to the family of Margo Dydek, may she rest in peace!"

The Brisbane-based Wizards posted a statement on their website Friday.

"Always in our hearts - Margo," it said. "With great sadness we acknowledge the passing of … Margo Dydek. Margo suffered a heart attack just over a week ago and passed away Friday 27th May, peacefully and surrounded by her family.

"You were a much-loved member of our community and we will miss you greatly. Our hearts go out to your family, David and your beautiful boys."

She is survived by her husband, David, and two sons, David, 3, and Alex, 7 months.

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Notable sports deaths of 2011

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-- Associated Press

 

Photo: As a member of the Sparks, Margo Dydek faces off against Atlanta's Katie Feenstra in a 2008 WNBA game. Credit: Associated Press

 

 

Australian Aboriginal boxer Lionel Rose dies at 62

Lionel Rose, 62, the first Australian Aborigine to win a world boxing title, died Sunday near Melbourne after being ill for several months, his family said. He had a stroke in 2007 that left him partially paralyzed.

Rose beat Japan's Masahiko "Fighting" Harada in Tokyo in February 1968 to win the world bantamweight title.

In December of that year at the Inglewood Forum, Rose was declared the victor in a split decision over Mexico's Chucho Castillo, and an unruly mob among the 15,287 spectators rioted and threw bottles and other debris into the ring.

Rose was named Australian of the year after his world title victory, becoming the first Aborigine to receive the honor. He also was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire and finished his career with 42 wins, 12 by knockout, in 53 fights.

-- Associated Press

Photo: Lionel Rose in 1968. Credit: Associated Press

Jess Jackson, Kendall-Jackson founder and thoroughbred owner, dies at 81

 
Jess Jackson, the founder of the Kendall-Jackson winery and a prominent thoroughbred owner, died of cancer Thursday at his home in Geyserville, Calif. He was 81.

Caroline Shaw, a spokeswoman for Jackson Family Wines, confirmed Jackson's death.

In recent years, Jackson was one of horse racing's leading owners. He campaigned two-time horse of the year Curlin, and then purchased a majority interest in Rachel Alexandra, the sensational filly who was horse of the year in 2009.

As a California vintner, Jackson built a multimillion-dollar empire on chardonnay with his popular Kendall-Jackson brand before moving into the racehorse business with his Stonestreet Stable.

A letter on his company's website ended by asking friends to "take a moment this week to lift a glass and join us in a toast to our friend and founder Jess Jackson."

More later at latimes.com/obits

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-- Associated Press

Photo: Jess Jackson in 2005. Credit: Los Angeles Times

 

Norwegian distance runner Grete Waitz dies at 57

Grete Waitz, the Norwegian runner who won nine New York City marathons and the silver medal at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics, died Tuesday after a six-year battle with cancer. She was 57.

Helle Aanesen, the manager of the Active Against Cancer Foundation in Norway, said Waitz died early Tuesday at the Ulleval University Hospital in Oslo.

A former Oslo schoolteacher, Waitz won her first New York City Marathon in 1978, setting a world-best women's record of 2 hours, 32 minutes, 30 seconds in her first attempt at running the distance. She went on to win eight more times, with her last victory coming in 1988.

She won the London Marathon twice, in 1983 and '86, the Stockholm Marathon in 1988 and earned five titles at the world cross-country championships from 1978-81 and 1983.

Waitz also won the gold medal in the marathon at the 1983 world championships in Helsinki, Finland. A year later, she took second behind Joan Benoit in the first women's Olympic marathon.

Waitz competed at the 1972 and 1976 Olympics in the 1,500 meters but missed the 1980 Moscow Games because of the American-led boycott.

Waitz is survived by her husband, Jack Waitz, and her two brothers, Jan and Arild.

Waitz had never run a marathon when she started the New York City race in October 1978. Her husband had talked her into trying, but after about 18 miles she regretted it.

“I was hurting. I was mad. I was angry. I told Jack: 'Never again,'” Waitz recalled in 2008.

She broke the world record three more times: In New York in 1979 and '80 and in London in '83.

Waitz began undergoing cancer treatment in 2005 but rarely discussed her condition in public.

“That's not my personality,” she said in November 2005. “I've always been a private person. … I'll do that when I cross the finish line and win this race.”

At the time she was optimistic she could conquer the disease.

“I'm crossing my fingers,” she said. “I will beat it.”

Born in Oslo as Grete Andersen on Oct. 1, 1953, she trained and raced in her youth at Oslo's Bislett Stadium, which raised a bronze statue in her honor in 1984.

-- Associated Press

Former Los Angeles Rams receiver Drew Hill dies at 54

Former NFL wide receiver Drew Hill, who started his career with the Los Angeles Rams and twice reached the Pro Bowl with the Houston Oilers, died Friday at Piedmont Hospital in Atlanta after suffering two massive strokes, said Jay Mathis, his agent. Hill was 54.

Hill, a 12th-round draft pick from Georgia Tech, played with the Rams from 1979 to 1984. He missed the 1983 season because of an injury.

Hill spent seven seasons with the Oilers from 1985 to 1991 and was selected to the Pro Bowl in 1988 and 1990. He finished his career with the Atlanta Falcons in 1992 and 1993.

Hill was born Oct. 5, 1956, in Newnan, Ga.

-- Associated Press 

 Photo: Drew Hill returns a kick for the Los Angeles Rams in 1980. Credit: Ken Hivley/Los Angeles Times

Mitchell Page, former major league player and coach, dies at 59

Mitchell Page, a former major league outfielder and coach whose best season was his rookie year with the Oakland A's, has died. He was 59.

Page died Saturday, said a spokesman for the St. Louis Cardinals. He had been a coach with the Cardinals, among other teams. The cause of death was not known.

In 1977 with Oakland, Page hit .307 with 21 homers and 75 runs batted in. He also stole 42 bases and finished second to Baltimore's Eddie Murray for the American League rookie of the year.

Page played with Oakland through the 1983 season and ended his career with Pittsburgh in 1984. Along with the Cardinals, he coached in Kansas City and Washington.

Page was born Oct. 15, 1951, in Los Angeles.

--Associated Press

Hockey’s Rick Martin dies at 59

Rick Martin, a member of the Buffalo Sabres' famed French Connection line in the 1970s, died after being involved in a one-car accident on Sunday. He was 59.

The team announced Martin's death in a statement before Sunday's game against the Ottawa Senators. New York State Police said Martin died in a one-car crash in the Buffalo suburb of Clarence. An autopsy will be conducted to determine the cause of death.

Martin was selected fifth overall by the Sabres in the 1971 draft, and made an impact the following season when he scored what was then an NHL rookie record 44 goals. Martin played left wing on a line that included Gilbert Perreault and Rene Robert, which was eventually dubbed The French Connection.

He spent 10-plus seasons with Buffalo before his career was cut short by a severe knee injury in 1980. He was traded to the Los Angeles Kings during the 1980-81 season but only played four games for them.

Martin finished with 384 goals and 317 assists in 685 career NHL games. He added 24 goals and 29 assists in 63 career playoff games.

He was a five-time 40-goal-scorer, and twice surpassed 50 goals. Martin's most productive season was in 1974-75, when he had a career-high 95 points (52 goals, 43 assists) in 68 games.

-- Associated Press

Suspended NFL agent Gary Wichard dies at 60

Gary Wichard, a longtime NFL players' agent who was suspended last year over a recruiting scandal at North Carolina, died Friday. He was 60.

He died at his home in Westlake Village from diabetes and pancreatic cancer, the public relations firm Rogers & Cowan said.

An agent since 1980, Wichard had NFL clients that included Dwight Freeney, Jason Taylor, Antonio Cromartie, Elvis Dumervil, Terrell Suggs and Darren Sproles.

Wichard was suspended for nine months by the NFL Players Assn. in December for his involvement with former Tar Heels player Marvin Austin. Austin had been dismissed from the team in October. The players union said Wichard had "impermissible communication" with Austin at a time when the player was not eligible for the NFL draft under the labor agreement.

Wichard was also investigated last year by the NCAA. The governing body looked into his longtime friendship with former Tar Heels assistant coach John Blake, who resigned in September.

Investigators have issued a search warrant for Wichard's financial records, looking into whether North Carolina's sports agent laws were broken. Wichard spoke with investigators in October.

"We were looking in other avenues as well, so the investigation will remain open," George Jeter, spokesman for the North Carolina secretary of state's office, said Friday.

Wichard was born in Brooklyn, N.Y., and opened his sports agency, Protect Management, more than 30 years ago.

In addition to his wife, Maire, Wichard is survived by daughters Dana and Jessica.

Services will be held Monday at Valley Oaks Memorial Park in Westlake Village. The family suggested donations to the American Diabetes Assn. and the Pancreatic Disease Network.

-- Associated Press

One year ago: Willie Davis, former Dodgers center fielder

Willie Davis was one of the Dodgers' first stars in Los Angeles, blessed with blazing speed that made him dangerous on the bases and perfectly cast to patrol center field.

How fast was he? He was so fast running from first to third base that he couldn't be followed with the naked eye, former New York Yankees and Mets Manager Casey Stengel once joked.

Jim Murray, The Times' legendary sports columnist, once wrote that Davis could get a triple every time he hit the ball past the pitcher's mound.

"He was so talented," former Dodger shortstop Maury Wills said. "God really blessed him with some great tools -- for any sport, really -- speed, strength, agility -- everything an athlete needs in order to make the big time."

He played for the Dodgers from 1960 to 1973 and finished his major league career with the Angels in 1979. Davis played in two All-Star games, won three Gold Gloves and set a Dodger record with a 31-game hitting streak in 1969. He still holds several Los Angeles Dodgers records.

A low point in his Dodger career came in the 1966 World Series against the Baltimore Orioles. He committed three errors in one inning in a game at Dodger Stadium, dropping two fly balls and making a wild throw.

Davis died a year ago at age 69. His life after baseball was at times difficult, with drug problems and brushes with the law.

"Willie for a period of time was a troubled person," Tommy Hawkins, a retired Dodgers executive whose role with the team included working with former players, told The Times last year. "He'd come to Dodger Stadium in various states of disarray.... Eventually he did get his act together and worked his way back to the Dodger fold."

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 -- Keith Thursby

Photo: Willie Davis. Credit: Los Angeles Dodgers

Wally Kaname Yonamine, first American to play pro baseball in Japan, dies at 85

Wally Kaname Yonamine, the first American to play professional baseball in Japan after World War II and a former running back with the San Francisco 49ers, has died. He was 85.

Yonamine died Monday night at a Honolulu retirement home after a bout with prostate cancer, said his son, Paul.

He was an outfielder known as the "Nisei Jackie Robinson" for breaking into Japanese baseball and building ties between the countries in a highly sensitive period after World War II. Facing a language barrier, he was sometimes met with hostility, including rock throwing, for being an American and for his aggressive style of play.

Yonamine, who was born in Maui, is considered one of the greatest athletes to come out of Hawaii.

He played pro football for the 49ers in their second season in 1947, three years before the team joined the National Football League. Yonamine, who signed a two-year deal worth $14,000, is believed to be the first player of Japanese ancestry to play pro football. But he was released after one season after an injury.

"He was an outsider with the 49ers and he moved to Japan and became an outsider for the opposite reason — because he was American as opposed to being Asian," said Robert K. Fitts, who wrote the 2008 biography "Wally Yonamine: The Man Who Changed Japanese Baseball."

He returned to baseball and played in the Pacific Coast League before heading to Japan at the age of 26 in 1951. Yonamine played for the Yomiuri Giants and the Chunichi Dragons, helping transform how the game was played in Japan.

"Wally is credited with introducing American-style baseball, a hard-nosed Pete Rose-style of baseball to Japan," Fitts said. "The change wasn't overnight. He was very unpopular at first. He was really booed and had rocks thrown at him. A lot of that was his play and not because he was an American. But the players saw quickly that was the way to win."

With a .311 career batting average, he was an 11-time All-Star, won three batting titles and was the 1957 Central League MVP.

In 1954, Yonamine became the first foreigner to win the Central League batting crown with a .361 average. He also led the league in hits, doubles and runs scored. Several years later, Yonamine became the first foreign manager to win the Central League title as his Dragons defeated his former team the Giants.

--Associated Press

 Photo: Wally Kaname Yonamine in 1959. Credit: AP Photo/Kyodo News

Baseball remembers Duke Snider

Here are more reactions to the death of Brooklyn and Los Angeles Dodger great Duke Snider:

Commissioner Bud Selig:"Duke Snider was a great human being, an extraordinary Hall of Fame player and an integral part of Dodger history, winning the World Series in both Brooklyn and Los Angeles. … I have many fond memories of watching Duke play, and I will be forever grateful for getting to know him well in the ensuing years."

Mike Scioscia, Angels manager and former Dodgers catcher: "What a nice man. This guy was so nice to all of us that went through the Dodger organization. … He was very humble and for being one of the all-time greats, he had perspective."

Billy DeLury, longtime Dodger front-office employee: "He always had time to spend with you and sit down to talk to you. To me, that made him a class guy. He's going to be missed. He's going to be missed by our organization."

Snider's news obituary can be found here.

--Kevin Baxter and Dylan Hernandez

Photo: Duke Snider in 1959. Credit: Associated Press