In memoriam: Notable sports personalities we lost in 2023

Eric Montross, NBA player for eight seasons, including with the Detroit Pistons from 1997-2001. Dec. 17. He was 52.

George McGinnis, NBA player for 11 seasons, including three seasons with the Indiana Pacers, with whom he was a three-time All-Star and the ABA MVP in 1975. He played collegiately at Indiana and is in the Naishmith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. Dec. 14. He was 73.

Steve Junker, professional football player in the NFL in the 1950s and 1960s, including with the Detroit Lions. He caught two touchdown passes in Detroit's victory in the 1957 NFL Championship Game against the Cleveland Browns. Dec. 13. He was 88.

Don Swindell, longtime radio personality in Metro Detroit who was the man behind most of the musical and comedy bits used on WDFN 1130-AM, "The Fan," during the station's prime. Dec. 11. He was 70.

Frank Wycheck, tight end in the NFL for 11 seasons, mostly with the Houston/Tennessee franchise. He was a three-time Pro Bowl selection, and also was a professional wrestler. Dec. 9. He was 52.

George Chin, hockey player who helped Michigan to back-to-back national championships in the 1950s. Nov. 28. He was 94.

Guillermo "Willie" Hernandez, long-time relief pitcher in MLB who helped lead the Tigers to the 1984 World Series championship. He won the American League MVP and Cy Young awards in 1984, and pitched for the Tigers through 1989. Nov. 20. He was 69.

"Jumpin'" Johnny Green, a Michigan State basketball legend who went on to become a four-time NBA All-Star. Nov. 16.

Peter Seidler, American businessman who was chairman of the San Diego Padres. He was the grandson of legendary baseball figure Walter O'Malley. Nov. 14. He was 63.

D.J. Hayden, NFL cornerback after being taken by the Oakland Raiders in the first round of the 2013 NFL Draft. He also spent time with the Lions. Nov. 11. He was 33.

Walter Davis, NBA player for 15 seasons, mostly with the Phoenix Suns. He was a six-time NBA All-Star. Nov. 2. He was 69.

Bobby Knight, legendary college basketball coach, most notably for his time at Indiana, where he won three NCAA championships. He won 902 Division I men's games, between his time at Army, Indiana and Texas Tech, which was a record at the time of his retirement. Nov. 1. He was 83.

Frank Howard, major-league slugger from the late 1950s through the early 1970s, retiring after playing for the Tigers in 1973. He's one of four men to hit a home run over the left-field roof at old Tiger Stadium, and he later managed. Oct. 30. He was 87.

Adam Johnson, NHL player for two seasons. Oct. 28. He was 29.

Ed Sandford, NHL forward in the 1940s and 1950s, who played briefly with the Red Wings in 1955-56. Oct. 25. He was 95.

Tom Walker, pitcher in MLB from 1972-77, including one season, 1975, with the Tigers. Oct. 23. He was 74.

Tasha Butts, professional basketball player who became head women's coach at Georgetown but died before her first game. Oct. 23. She was 41.

Betsy Rawls, member of the World Golf Hall of Fame who won 55 LPGA Tour tournaments, including eight major championships. Oct. 21. She was 95.

Roger Brown, NBA player from 1972-80 who played for the Pistons in 1976-77. Oct. 18. He was 73.

Andy Bean, 11-time winner on the PGA Tour and three-time winner on the Champions Tour. Oct. 14. He was 70.

Brendan Malone, longtime NBA coach who won two championships as an assistant under Chuck Daly with the Pistons. He was head coach of the Toronto Raptors and Cleveland Cavaliers, and was the father of current Denver Nuggets head coach Michael Malone. Oct. 10. He was 88.

Terry Dischinger, three-time NBA All-Star and rookie of the year who played for the Pistons from 1964-72. Oct. 9. He was 82.

Dick Butkus, NFL linebacker with the Chicago Bears from 1965 through 1973, who was named to eight Pro Bowls. He later became a sports broadcaster and an actor. He is a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame and College Football Hall of Fame. Oct. 5. He was 80.

Wayne Comer, major-league outfielder and pinch-hitter over five major-league seasons, including parts of there with the Detroit Tigers. He won a World Series with the 1968 Tigers. Oct. 4. He was 79.

Tim Wakefield, pitcher in the major leagues for 17 seasons, mostly with the Boston Red Sox, with whom he won two World Series. He was known for his knuckleball. Oct. 1. He was 57.

Russ Francis, tight end for 13 seasons in the NFL for the New England Patriots and San Francisco 49ers. He won a Super Bowl, and also was a pro wrestler. Oct. 1. He was 70.

Brooks Robinson, Hall of Famer for the Baltimore Orioles who was considered arguably the best ever to play third base. He was an 18-time All-Star and 16-time Gold Glove winner in his 23 seasons. Sept. 26. He was 86.

Nick Kerdiles, hockey forward who played briefly with the Anaheim Ducks in the NHL, after training in Plymouth, Michigan, with the USA Hockey National Team Development Program. Sept. 23. He was 29.

Phil Sellers, small forward/shooting guard for the Detroit Pistons in 1976-77, after he was drafted in the third round out of Rutgers. Sept. 19. He was 69.

Henry Boucha, NHL center in the 1970s, who played for the Detroit Red Wings from 1971-74. Sept. 18. He was 72.

Point Given, winner of the 2001 Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes, and the first horse to win four $1 million races in a row. Sept. 11. She was 25.

Ginger Mayson, Michigan State head volleyball coach for eight seasons, starting in 1986. Sept. 7. She was 68.

Gil Brandt, Pro Football Hall of Fame executive who oversaw the Dallas Cowboys from 1960 through 1988. Aug. 31. He was 91.

Pat Corrales, long-time MLB player, coach and manager. He was the first MLB manager of Mexican descent, and he managed the Texas Rangers, Philadelphia Phillies and Cleveland Indians. Aug. 27. He was 82.

Bray Wyatt, professional wrestler in the WWE from 2010 through 2021, and again from 2022 until his death. Aug. 24. He was 36.

Terry Funk, legendary professional wrestler for more than 50 years. Aug. 23. He was 79.

Jerry Turner, MLB outfielder and designated hitter for 10 includes, including the 1982 season with the Detroit Tigers. Aug. 20. He was 69.

Maxie Baughan, left, linebacker in the NFL who won a championship with the Philadelphia Eagles in 1960. He later went onto a coaching career, and was defensive coordinator of the Detroit Lions from 1980-82. Aug. 19. He was 85.

Bobby Baun, defenseman in the NHL for 17 seasons, including with the Red Wings from 1968-71. Aug. 14. He was 86.

Sean Dawkins, NFL wide receiver for nine seasons, after being taken in the first round of the 1993 NFL Draft out of Cal, where he was an All-American. Aug. 9. He was 52.

Jim Price was a former Tigers broadcaster and catcher with the 1968 World Series champions. Aug. 7. He was 81.

Johnny Lujack, quarterback and defensive back who won three national championships at Notre Dame and won the 1947 Heisman Trophy. He played in the NFL for the Chicago Bears. July 25. He was 98.

Trevor Francis, English soccer star who played two seasons for the upstart Detroit Express at the Pontiac Silverdome in 1978 and 1978. July 24. He was 69.

Mike Ivie, No. 1 overall pick in the 1970 Major League Baseball Draft who finished his career with the Tigers in 1982 and '83. July 21. He was 70.

Tom Ford, legendary trainer at Oakland University for 30 years. July 20. He was 67.

Matt Byars, former catcher for Michigan State baseball. July 18. He was 27.

Nikki McCray, legendary women's basketball player who was inducted into the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame in 2012. She was head coach at Mississippi State from 2020-21, and most recently was an assistant at Rutgers. July 7. She was 51.

Johnie Cooks, linebacker in the NFL for 10 seasons, who was the No. 2 overall pick in the 1982 NFL Draft by the Baltimore Colts. He won a Super Bowl with the New York Giants. July 6. He was 64.

Vince Tobin, head coach of the NFL's Arizona Cardinals who also was defensive coordinator for the Lions in 2001. July 3. He was 79.

Ryan Mallett, quarterback who began his college career at Michigan before transferring to Arkansas. He played in the NFL from 2011-17. June 27. He was 35.

Bob Brown, Pro Football Hall-of-Fame offensive tackle who played in the NFL with the Philadelphia Eagles, Los Angeles Rams and Oakland Raiders. The former Nebraska standout also is in the College Football Hall of Fame. June 16. He was 81.

Homer Jones, NFL wide receiver from 1964-70 with the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns who is credited with inventing the spike touchdown celebration. June 14. He was 82.

Jim Turner, place-kicker in the NFL from 1964-79, who was a two-time Pro Bowl selection and a member of the New York Jets team that won Super Bowl III. He's also in the Denver Broncos Ring of Fame. June 10. He was 82.

Hossein Khosrow Ali Vaziri, AKA The Iron Sheik, a Hall-of-Fame wrestler with WWE who was a popular villain, and whose title-bout loss to Hulk Hogan in 1984 helped launch Hulkamania. June 7. He was 81.

Roger Craig, who has a player and a coach was part of four World Series championship teams. That includes the 1984 Detroit Tigers, for whom he was the pitching coach, teaching the split-finger fastball to several players, most notably future Hall-of-Famer Jack Morris. He also managed the San Diego Padres and the San Francisco Giants, leading the Giants to the 1989 World Series that was famously interrupted by a massive earthquake. June 4. He was 93.

John Sullivan, major-league catcher who played for the Detroit Tigers from 1963-65. June 1. He was 82.

Lou Marcon, NHL defenseman who played in 60 games for the Detroit Red Wings from 1959-63. May 30. He was 88.

Denny Stolz, longtime college football coach who was head coach at Michigan State from 1973-75 and Alma College from 1965-70. He was 125-93-2 in his career, and lived in Midland at the time of his death. May 25. He was 89.

Terry McDermott, Olympic gold-medalist speedskater from Essexville (and later Birmingham) who appeared on the legendary "Ed Sullivan Show" taping that featured the Beatles in 1964. Sullivan got McDermott, a moonlighting barber, to pretend to cut Paul McCartney's hair. May 20. He was 82.

Jim Brown, Hall-of-Fame running back for the Cleveland Browns who is widely considered to be one of the greatest football players of all-time. He was a Pro Bowler every year in the league (1957-65) and won three MVP awards before leaving the game to focus on acting and civil rights. May 18. He was 87.

"Superstar" Billy Graham, legendary wrestler and one-time heavyweight champion who was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame. May 17. He was 79.

Marlene Hagge, one of 13 founders of the LPGA tour who won 26 LPGA events, including a major. She was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame. May 16. She was 89.

Doyle Brunson, legendary poker player who twice won the World Series of Poker Main Event, and was inducted into the Poker Hall of Fame. Nicknamed the "Godfather of Poker" and "Texas Dolly," his book, "Super/System," taught generations of poker players the ins and outs of the game. May 14. He was 89.

Weldy Olson, four-year star player for Michigan State hockey who went on to win gold and silver medals for Team USA at the Olympics. May 13. He was 90.

Don Denkinger, major-league umpire who worked in the American League from 1969 through 1998. He called many big games, but is best-remembered for an incorrect call in the 1985 World Series. May 12. He was 86.

Owen Davidson, Australian professional tennis player who won eight grand-slam mixed doubles championships alongside Billie Jean King. May 12. He was 79.

Ed Flanagan, center in the NFL for 12 seasons, including with the Detroit Lions from 1965-74. May 10. He was 79.

Denny Crum, legendary college basketball coach and Hall-of-Famer who won two national championships at Louisville, in 1980 and 1986. May 9. He was 86.

Vic Stasiuk, left winger who played in the NHL from 1959 through 1963, including for the Detroit Red Wings. He later was a coach. May 7. He was 93.

Vida Blue, legendary major-league pitcher, most notably for the Oakland A's. He won three World Series and was a six-time All-Star, and won the MVP and Cy Young awards in the American League in 1971. May 6. He was 73.

Stan Aldridge, member of the Michigan Golf Hall of Fame who bought and revitalized Indianwood Golf & Country Club, adding a second course. He also owned Lakewood Shores Resort in Oscoda, and founded Canterbury Village in Lake Orion. May 5. He was 84.

Petr Klíma, NHL player mostly known for his time with the Detroit Red Wings from 1985-89 and again in the 1998-99 season. May 4. He was 58.

Lance Blanks, NBA player who was a first-round pick by the Detroit Pistons in 1990. He was general manager of the Phoenix Suns from 2010-13. May 3. He was 56.

Mike Shannon, major-league third baseman and outfielder from 1962-70, for the St. Louis Cardinals, winning two World Series championships. He later became a legendary broadcaster for the Cardinals. April 29. He was 83.

Dick Groat, major-league shortstop in the 1950s and 1960s, winning the 1960 MVP award and two World Series. He was an eight-time All-Star. April 27. He was 92.

Dennis Ribant, pitcher in the major leagues from 1964-69, playing briefly for the 1968 Detroit Tigers. He grew up starring on the Detroit sandlots and played minor-league hockey in the Red Wings organization. April 24. He was 81.

Tom Strobl, big-time player in the bowling industry, especially in Michigan, as owner of Thunderbowl Lanes in Allen Park. It's there that he helped launch the World Series of Bowling. April 20. He was 81.

David Wilcox, Pro Football Hall-of-Fame linebacker who played his entire career with the San Francisco 49ers. April 19. He was 80.

Don McIlhenny, halfback in the NFL from 1956-61, who started his career with the Detroit Lions. April 18. He was 88.

Willie McCarter, Detroit men's basketball coach from 1979-82, who also coached high-school basketball in Battle Creek and played for Grand Rapids of the CBA. April 18. He was 76.

Larry LeGrande, catcher in the Negro Leagues, including for the Detroit Stars in 1958. April 13. He was 83.

Hobie Landrith, catcher in Major League Baseball from 1950-63, for seven different teams, mostly the Cincinnati Reds. He grew up starring on the sandlots in Detroit, and played one year at Michigan State. April 6. He was 93.

Robert Miller, otherwise known as Bushwhacker Butch, a member of the popular wrestling tag team, The Bushwhackers. He's in the WWE Hall of Fame. April 2. He was 78.

John Brockington, running back in the NFL from 1971-77, mostly with the Green Bay Packers. He was a first-round pick out of Ohio State and NFL offensive rookie of the year in 1971. March 31. He was 74.

Gene Derricotte, halfback and return specialist and one of the first Black athletes at the University of MIchigan. He was inducted into Michigan's Hall of Honor in 1987. March 31. He was 96.

Jerry Green, legendary Detroit News sports writer and columnist who covered each of the first 56 Super Bowls and is a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. March 23. He was 94.

Willis Reed, Hall of Fame basketball player who won two NBA championships with the New York Knicks. He was voted one of the "50 Greatest Players in NBA History." He also had a lengthy career as a coach. March 21. He was 80.

Dot Wilkinson, an American softball player and bowler who was enshrined in the national Halls of Fame in both sports. March 18. She was 101.

Joe Pepitone, major-league first baseman and outfielder from 1962 through 1973, mostly with the New York Yankees. The slugger won a World Series with the Yankees, and was a three-time Gold Glove winner. March 13. He was 82.

Felton Spencer, NBA player from 1990 through 2002, for six different teams. He was a first-round pick in 1990, after a standout college career at Louisville. March 12. He was 55.

Bud Grant, head coach of the NFL's Minnesota Vikings for 18 seasons, from 1967-83 and again in 1985, leading them to four Super Bowls. He also played in the NFL and CFL. March 11. He was 95.

Dick Haley, cornerback in the NFL for six seasons from 1959 through 1964, winning four Super Bowls. He later became an executive with several teams. March 10. He was 85.

Jesua Alou, major-league outfielder for 15 seasons, mostly with the San Francisco Giants and Houston Astros. He's part of the famous Alou baseball family. March 10. He was 80.

Otis Taylor, wide receiver for the NFL's Kansas City Chiefs from 1965 through 1975. He made the Pro Bowl twice and won a Super Bowl. March 9. He was 80.

Dave Wills, play-by-play radio voice of the Tampa Bay Rays since 2005. Previously, he was a pregame and postgame host for the Chicago White Sox. March 5. He was 58.

Jerry Richardson, who started the NFL's Carolina Panthers franchise, which he owned from 1995 through 2018. He played briefly with the Baltimore Colts in 1959 and 1960. March 1. He was 86.

Terry Holland, head men's basketball at Virginia (1974-90) and Davidson (1969-74), who later became athletic director at Davidson, Virginia and East Carolina. Feb. 26. He was 80.

Jean Faut, widely considered the best over-hand pitcher in the history of the legendary All-American Girls Professional Baseball League. She was a starting pitcher in the league from 1946 through 1953. Feb. 28. She was 97.

Fred Miller, defensive tackle for the NFL's Baltimore Colts from 1963 through 1972. He was named to the Pro Bowl three times, and won a Super Bowl. Feb. 25. He was 82.

Don Shane, longtime sportscaster and sports director at WXYZ Channel 7 in Detroit, who covered some of the most memorable moments in Detroit and Michigan sports history. Feb. 24. He was 70.

Tim McCarver, two-time World Series champion with the St. Louis Cardinals who went on to a Hall-of-Fame broadcasting career. Feb. 16. He was 81.

Ted Lerner, real-estate magnate and owner of MLB's Washington Nationals, leading the team to the 2019 World Series championship. Feb. 12. He was 97.

Cartier Woods, Detroit Northwestern athlete, including basketball. Feb. 6. He was 18.

Demetrius Calip, Flint native and member of the 1989 Michigan men's basketball team that won the NCAA championship who went on to play in the NBA. Feb. 5. He was 53.

Lou Campanelli, head men's basketball coach at James Madison from 1972-85 and Cal from 1986-93. Jan. 31. He was 84.

Bobby Beathard, Hall of Fame NFL executive who was general manager for the Washington football team and San Diego Chargers. In 38 years, his teams made seven Super Bowls. Jan. 30. He was 86.

Sidney Thornton, NFL running back for the Pittsburgh Steelers from 1977-82, winning two Super Bowls. Jan. 28. He was 68.

Bobby Hull, a Hall of Fame winger and two-time NHL MVP who helped the Chicago Blackhawks win the Stanley Cup in 1961. Hull had 560 assists in 1,063 regular-season NHL games. In addition to his two Hart trophies, he was a three-time winner of the Art Ross Trophy awarded to the league leader in points and took home the 1965 Lady Byng Memorial Trophy for sportsmanship combined with stellar play. He is the father of former Red Wing Brett Hull. Jan. 30. He was 84.

Ralph Avila, right, long-time scout for the Los Angeles Dodgers who was a pioneer in scouting Latin America. He is the father of former Tigers GM Al Avila and grandfather of ex-Tigers catcher Alex Avila. Jan. 30. He was 92.

John Adams, superfan of the then-Cleveland Indians, known for banging his bass drum in the bleachers from August 1973 through 2019. Jan. 30. He was 71.

Billy Packer, legendary college basketball broadcaster who called 34 Final Fours, mostly on CBS. Jan. 26. He was 83.

Jessie Lemonier, outside linebacker who played for the Lions in 2021. Jan. 26. He was 25.

Gary Peters, major-league pitcher for the Chicago White Sox and Boston Red Sox from the late 1950s through the early 1970s. He had a career ERA of 3.25. Jan. 24. He was 85.

Hiromitsu Kadota, legendary Japanese baseball player who hit 567 home runs, No. 3 all-time in the Nippon Professional Baseball league. Jan. 23. He was 74.

Sal Bando, major-league third baseman from the 1960s into the 1980s, winning three World Series titles with the Oakland A's. He later was an executive with the Milwaukee Brewers. Jan. 20. He was 78.

Jamin Pugh, known as Jay Briscoe in the wrestling ring. Jan. 17. He was 38.

Chris Ford, played for the Pistons from 1972-78, and later hit the NBA's first 3-pointer and won an NBA championship with the Boston Celtics. Jan. 17. He was 74.

Frank Thomas, MLB's original Frank Thomas who played for seven National League teams in the 1950s and 1960s. A three-time All-Star, he hit 286 home runs. Jan. 16. He was 93.

Gino Odjick, NHL left wing for 12 seasons, mostly with the Vancouver Canucks. Jan. 15. He was 52.

Charles White, running back for nine seasons in the NFL who won the Heisman Trophy at Southern Cal. Jan. 11. He was 64.

Bill Campbell, pitcher in MLB in the 1970s and 19802 who played for the Tigers in 1986. Jan. 6. He was 74.

Dick Savitt, Hall of Fame tennis player who won the Australian Open and Wimbledon in 1951. Jan. 6. He was 95.

Nate Colbert, major-league slugger in the 1960s and 1970s who played one season for the Tigers, in 1975. Jan. 5. He was 76.,

Cliff Gustafson, legendary head coach of the Texas baseball team and a member of the College Baseball Hall of Fame. zJan. 2. He was 91.