Sun coverage: Notable sports deaths in 2008

Labor leader Upshaw dies of cancer

Gene Upshaw, a towering lineman on the football field who went on to win millions of dollars for NFL players as their union leader, is dead at age 63.

'Risk,' filly winner of Derby, is dead

Genuine Risk was a fabulous filly who dared to take on the boys in the 1980 Kentucky Derby and wound up in the winner's circle draped in a blanket of roses.

Ex-Yanks star, broadcaster Bobby Murcer dies at 62

Bobby Murcer succeeded Mickey Mantle, played in pinstripes with Don Mattingly and watched proudly from the broadcast booth when the New York Yankees returned to power.

Broadneck coach Jim Ware dies

Jim Ware will be remembered by those who knew him as a great teacher on and off the softball field.The Broadneck coach died Saturday morning. He was 62.

Sports Digest: Ex-lightweight champion Ramos dies at 59

Mando Ramos, a two-time lightweight boxing champion who battled drug and alcohol abuse, died at 59.

Ex-Chargers safety Kiel dies in car accident

Former Chargers safety Terrence Kiel was killed after he was thrown from a Chevy sedan he was driving, police said Saturday.

Eddie VanKirk, pro boxer for 13 years, dies at 45

Eddie VanKirk settled scores with his fists as he grew up on the tough streets of Southwest Baltimore. He went on to box professionally for 13 years as a welterweight and confidently took on competitors.

NHRA driver killed in crash

Scott Kalitta died Saturday when his Funny Car burst into flames and crashed at the end of track during the final round of qualifying for the Lucas Oil NHRA SuperNationals at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park.

Sports Digest: Broadcaster C. Jones dies at 77

Charlie Jones, the deep-voiced sportscaster whose career as a play-by-play announcer spanned 38 years for ABC and NBC, has died. He was 77.

Ex-Bills lineman Frerotte dies at 43

Mitch Frerotte, an offensive lineman who played in three Super Bowls for the Buffalo Bills, has died. He was 43.

Jim McKay dies at 86

Jim McKay, who in 1947 spoke the first words ever heard on Baltimore television and later became the model for the modern sports anchorman with his marathon effort amid a terrorist attack at the 1972 Munich Olympics, died yesterday of natural causes at his horse farm in Monkton. He was 86.

Canucks' Bourdon killed in motorcycle crash

Luc Bourdon, a promising rookie defenseman with the Vancouver Canucks, was killed Thursday when his motorcycle struck a tractor-trailer in a crash near his hometown. He was 21.

Ex-MLB pitcher killed by lightning

Former major league pitcher Geremi Gonzalez, who won 11 games for the Chicago Cubs in 1997, was killed by a lightning strike in his native Venezuela on Sunday. He was 33.

Pat Santarone: 1929-2008

Outstanding in his field

While the Orioles produced some of the best teams in baseball over three decades, beginning in the 1960s, they went unchallenged when it came to their garden.

Madison 'Buzz' Nutter: 1931-2008

Colts' unsung center Nutter dies at 77

The autograph signing featuring the Baltimore Colts at the Towson Center on March 29 turned out to be a final show of warmth for Madison "Buzz" Nutter.

Steelers' legendary announcer Myron Cope dies at 79

Myron Cope, the screechy-voiced announcer whose colorful catch phrases and twirling Terrible Towel became symbols of the Pittsburgh Steelers during an unrivaled 35 seasons in the broadcast booth, has died. He was 79.

Sir Edmund Hillary: 1919-2008

Unassuming conqueror of Mount Everest

Sir Edmund Hillary, the mountain-climbing New Zealand beekeeper who became a mid-20th century hero as the first person to reach the summit of Mount Everest, has died. He was 88.

Ex-skater Bowman found dead at motel

U.S figure skating champion Christopher Bowman pleased fans and fellow skaters with his flair on the ice. But he was also known for his off-the-ice struggles with drugs and alcohol and other personal problems.