Ilkka’s first National Hockey League goal came on a penalty shot, just the third player in league history to score his maiden goal in that manner. He played 12 seasons and tallied 204 goals and 427 points. Ilkka Sinisalo would have turned 67 today but passed away back in 2017 from prostate cancer at the age of 58.

Joe was the first Major League Baseball Amateur Draft pick to reach the Majors. He twice won 20 games in a season and struck out 200+ batters in three consecutive seasons. Part of the first three generation pitching family in baseball (his father, Joe, and son Casey, also were pitchers) Joe Coleman passed away yesterday at the age of 78. #RIP

Sonny had an incredible 1966 rookie season with the Houston Astros. He led the National League in singles (160) and sacrifice hits (27) and set a Major League record for stolen bases by a rookie with 49 (since broken). Alas he finished second to Tommy Helms in the National League Rookie of the Year voting. Sonny Jackson turns 81 today.

Pettis was primarily a blocking tight end for the Dallas Cowboys for nine National Football League seasons before finishing his career with three seasons for the San Diego Chargers. A leader both on and off the field he was the runner up in what would become the initial National Football League Walter Payton Man of the Year Award both for his contributions to the Cowboys and to help end segregation in the greater Dallas community. Pettis Norman passed away yesterday at the age of 86.

Larry played seven National Football League seasons for the Miami Dolphins. Drafted in the same draft as fellow linebacker Kim Bokamper, they formed a solid defensive nucleus. On a training run during the 1983 offseason Larry collapsed and passed away from heart disease at the age of 28. Larry Gordon would have turned 71 today.