Mays, Rose, Rickey among legends lost in 2024

By David Mullen

The sports world lost many legends, personalities and contributors in 2024. Baseball had a particularly solemn year. Three Hall of Famers, another who missed the Hall because he broke baseball’s golden rule and a player that captivated millions all passed away.

The greatest baseball player of all time — Hall of Fame centerfielder Willie Mays — died in June at aged 93. Mays, known as “The Say Hey Kid,” was the last great sports hero for many generations of fans. 

Mays was a five-tool player before they were called five-tool players. He could hit for average, hit for power, run, field and throw like no one before or after him. His signature basket catch was replicated by kids on playgrounds all over the nation. His love of the game and infectious smile lit up baseball parks, even during day games.      

Fellow Hall of Famer Reggie Jackson may have said it best. “You went to the ballpark to see Babe Ruth hit,” Jackson said. “You went to see Willie Mays do everything.” 

Mays’ San Francisco Giants teammate Hall of Famer Orlando Cepeda, 86, also died. “The Baby Bull” was the first Puerto Rican ballplayer to start an All-Star Game.

The greatest leadoff hitter and base stealer of all time — Hall of Famer Rickey Henderson — died of pneumonia causing congestive heart failure just five days before his 66th birthday. Henderson was a Christmas baby and was a gift to baseball fans everywhere. He was electric, on and off the field. 

Regularly speaking in third person, Henderson reportedly said he did it “to show that he always knew the name of at least one player on his team.” When he turned 42, Henderson called San Diego GM Kevin Towers and said: “This is Rickey calling on behalf of Rickey. Rickey wants to play baseball.” The Padres signed him. Someone once quoted John 3:16 to Henderson. “I don’t wanna hear about John hittin’ .316, Rickey’s hittin’ .330.”   

Love him or loathe him, all-time hits leader and 17-time All Star Pete Rose died in September at 83. Nicknamed “Charlie Hustle,” Rose’s entrance to the Hall of Fame is blocked because he bet on baseball. “Ferrnandomania” ended in October with the death of lefty Fernando Valenzuela, 63, who set baseball ablaze in 1981 when he won both the Cy Young and Rookie of the Year Awards with the Dodgers. Sluggers Rico Carty, 85, and Rocky Colavito, 91, died, as did pitchers Luis “El Tiante” Tiant, 83, World Series winners Ken Holtzman, 78, and Don Gullett, 73, and Carl Erskine, 97. Other passings include former Rangers’ manager Whitey Herzog, 92, New York Mets gritty shortstop Bud Harrelson, 79, and catcher Jerry Grote, 81. Special recognition goes to the 39th President of the United States, Jimmy Carter, 100, who was an avid Atlanta Braves fan and the first president to invite champion teams to the White House.

In football, Dallas Cowboys fans mourn the loss of Super Bowl champions guard Larry Allen, 52, and running back Duane Thomas, 77. Allen was a member of the NFL’s 1990s and 2000s All-Decade team. Heisman Trophy winner, NFL MVP, Pro Football Hall of Famer, actor, broadcaster and corporate spokesman Orenthal James “O.J.” Simpson died in April at 76. Center Jim Otto, who wore his famous “00” Oakland Raiders jersey into the Hall of fame, died in May at 86. He was known as “Mr. Raider.” 

Also passing away were quarterbacks Roman Gabriel, 83, and Norm Snead, 84; tight end and McKinney resident Kent Kramer, 79; two-time Super Bowl champion running back “Mercury” Morris, 77; Steelers’ linebacker Andy Russell, 82; player turned coach Joe Schmidt, 92 and former Texas Tech coach Steve Sloan died at 79.

An appreciation goes to Carl Weathers, 78, who died in February. Weathers was an NFL linebacker with the Raiders before embarking on an acting career that included five “Rocky” films, where he starred as boxer Apollo Creed.

In basketball, legendary guard Jerry West, whose profile is the center of the NBA logo, died in June at 86. Nicknamed “Mr. Clutch,” West was a 14-time NBA All-Star. Never at a loss for words, center Bill Walton overcame a speech impediment to become one of college and pro basketball’s greats and later an ESPN commentator.

Other basketball deaths included defensive star, basketball ambassador and TV pitchman Dikembe Mutombo, 58; Maryland coach Lefty Driesell, 92, and St. John’s coach Lou Carnesecca, famous for his wild sweaters, 99; seven-time All-Star forward Chet Walker, 84; Bob “Butterbean” Love, 81, the third leading scorer in Chicago Bulls history (behind Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippin); player coach and father of Kobe, Joe Bryant, 69; Dick Van Arsdale, who played with twin brother Tom in the NBA, at 81, and former player and Golden State Warriors coach Al Attles, 87.

In golf, crowd favorite Juan “Chi Chi” Rodriguez, who would perform a make-believe sword fight using his putter after making pressure putts, died at 88. British golfer Peter Oosterhuis, 75, Masters and PGA champion, Jack Burke Jr., 100, winner of 11 LPGA tournaments, Susie Berning, 83, and Tour player and broadcaster, Mark Carnevale, 64, all died.

Hockey lost All-Star winger Johnny Gaudreau, 31, defenseman and coach, Jean-Guy Talbot, 91, and Toronto Maple Leafs’ winger Ron Ellis, 79. Auto racing said goodbye to Bobby Allison, 86, Wally Dallenbach Sr., 87, and Parnelli Jones, 90. “Motorcycle Mary” McGee, died at 87. Gymnastic coach Bela Karolyi, 82, and Olympic swimmer Carolyn Schuler, 81, died in 2024. 

In sports media, the first African American to do play-by-play in a major championship game (Super Bowl XXXV for CBS in 2001), Greg Gumble, died on December 27 at 78. The Dallas Morning News sportswriter David Casstevens, 77, died in January. Journalist and ESPN football mainstay, Chris Mortensen, died at 72.

While all sports heroes’ lives come to an end, the memories of their achievements will live on.