2017 Celebrity Death Pool

[Musk21]

Rugby great Joost van der Westhuizen has died at the age of 45. 2 had him on their list for 55 points.

 

Current Standings

1. biggentleben (J.Van der Westhuizen, M. Tyler Moore, J.Snuka) - 102 pts

2. lecroy24fan (J.Van der Westhuizen, J.Snuka) - 82 pts

3. Pius Jefferson (J.Hurt, J.Snuka) - 50 pts

3. steve (J.Hurt, J.Snuka) - 50 pts

5. Musk21 (M. Tyler Moore, J.Snuka) - 47 pts

[Pardon My Dinger]

So, biggentleben knows when we're all going to die...Good to know. 

[biggentleben]

 

So, biggentleben knows when we're all going to die...Good to know. 

 

No, I usually finish middle of the pack in this, so I have been...lucky? ....so far.

[USAFChief]

 

WCCO’s Ray Christensen has died, the station reports.

 

RIP, sir. Went to high school with his son.

To an even greater extent than Herb Carneal represents the Twins, Ray Christensen IS the voice of the Golden Gophers.  Classy, understated, and a vital part of "the good neighbor."

 

Man, this one is tough for me to take.  Rest in peace, good sir.  

[ashbury]

WCCO’s Ray Christensen has died, the station reports.

When Ray is mentioned, I always wheel out my memory of a game I listened to, shortly after moving to the Twin Cities, so it must have been in the late 70s or early 80s. Running play, starting deep in the Gophers' own territory. As he called the play, about 10 or 15 yards into the run, he thought to mention "no flags", then continued with a standard "to the fifty, the forty, the thirty...". It gave me chills as I realized what it meant: the last defender was in the runner's rearview mirror. And the play wasn't coming back.

 

I wish I could remember to check for flags while a big play is still in progress - it would save a lot of disappointment. Ray remembered. And he would tell us. Two words can paint a picture.

[biggentleben]

 

When Ray is mentioned, I always wheel out my memory of a game I listened to, shortly after moving to the Twin Cities, so it must have been in the late 70s or early 80s. Running play, starting deep in the Gophers' own territory. As he called the play, about 10 or 15 yards into the run, he thought to mention "no flags", then continued with a standard "to the fifty, the forty, the thirty...". It gave me chills as I realized what it meant: the last defender was in the runner's rearview mirror. And the play wasn't coming back.

 

I wish I could remember to check for flags while a big play is still in progress - it would save a lot of disappointment. Ray remembered. And he would tell us. Two words can paint a picture.

 

While I didn't grow up with Ray, what I loved about listening to his calls when I didn't get to travel with the team was exactly what you mention. Many announcers can remember to let you know there's no flags once the runner is 10-15 years from the goal line on an 80-yard run. Ray seemed to be able to immediately note that as soon as there was day light that appeared to be a big run. I remember for one of the big pass plays that the Gophers defense would have given up in a game on the road that while the ball is in the air on a 30-40 yard pass, he made mention of a flag on the play, called that it was a holding call on a particular lineman, and then called the end of the play. Sure enough, when the play completed, the big completion was called back for a penalty on that exact lineman. That sort of stuff was just incredible, and it wasn't something he even came back to (like how Bert seems to want credit for every pitch he predicts correctly, let alone a home run call he makes). It was just part of the game for Ray, and his humility in presenting the game was such a stark contrast to the Sunday presentation on the radio (many love Paul Allen, but give me Ray's presentation of a game any day).

[Craig Arko]

'Professor' Irwin Corey, dead at 102.

 

The World's Foremost Authority.

 

http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2017/02/07/513879165/the-worlds-foremost-authority-has-died-prof-irwin-corey-was-102

 

[Craig Arko]

Richard Hatch, age 71. Farewell, Capt. Apollo.

 

https://www.bleedingcool.com/2017/02/07/richard-hatch-star-battlestar-galactica-dies-71/

[ashbury]

'Professor' Irwin Corey, dead at 102.

 

The World's Foremost Authority.

 

http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2017/02/07/513879165/the-worlds-foremost-authority-has-died-prof-irwin-corey-was-102

 

A quick review of YouTube video clips reveals that he retained his comic timing well into his 90s.

 

He's one of the rare Celebrity Death Pool draftees who will cost you points in certain systems, and yet it's kind of an honor to pay the penalty.

[Bark's Lounge]

Mike Illitch dead at the age of 87.

[Craig Arko]

Al Jarreau, age 76. Will miss that smooth voice.

[Musk21]

Former WWF/WWE wrestler George "The Animal" Steele dead at the age of 79.

 

[Vanimal46]

2017 is shaping up to be Year to not be a professional wrestler if you want to continue breathing.

[Craig Arko]

Norma McCorvey, aka plaintiff 'Jane Roe' of Roe v Wade, dead at 69.

 

Later, McCorvey's views on abortion changed substantially; she became a Roman Catholic activist in the pro-life movement.

[Squirrel]

This may not be a recognizable name to many of you ... but imo he's a LOT more famous than any of those wrestlers mentioned above (whom I have never heard of). Stanislaw Skrowacewski died today. He was 93. He had a very long and storied career with the Minnesota Orchestra, as music director, guest conductor, conductor emeritus, composer. I had the privilege or knowing and working with Stan and this is very sad news.

[formerly33]

 

This may not be a recognizable name to many of you ... but imo he's a LOT more famous than any of those wrestlers mentioned above (whom I have never heard of). Stanislaw Skrowacewski died today. He was 93. He had a very long and storied career with the Minnesota Orchestra, as music director, guest conductor, conductor emeritus, composer. I had the privilege or knowing and working with Stan and this is very sad news.

During my first Orchestra Hall concert, I saw him conduct Il Piffero della Notte with Adam Kuenzel soloing. I'll never forget that experience.

[Craig Arko]

Actor Bill Paxton, dead at age 61 following complications from surgery.

 

Bill Paxton is the only actor who holds the honor of being killed by a Terminator, a Predator, an Alien, and an Agent of SHIELD.

[Squirrel]

Actor Bill Paxton, dead at age 61 following complications from surgery.

Bill Paxton is the only actor who holds the honor of being killed by a Terminator, a Predator, an Alien, and an Agent of SHIELD.

But survived an F5 tornado.

[Craig Arko]

But survived an F5 tornado.

And UT and kidney infections in space.

[Vanimal46]

Neil Fingleton, 36 has passed away. You may know him as Mag the Mighty in Game of Thrones. He was the UK's tallest man measuring in at 7 feet 7 inches tall. 

[nicksaviking]

 

But survived an F5 tornado.

 

Good were making jokes even though I was a bit sad about this one.

 

So I was wondering if the Bill Paxton death meme was going to be "Game over man" or a picture of Bill Pulman saying "RIP Bill Paxton".

[Squirrel]

Chuck Berry ... I can't imagine what Rock n Roll would have been like without him ... rip.

[Bark's Lounge]

Don Rickles dead at the age of 90. Good run, still it is weird to think of a world without him.

[Vanimal46]

Stand Up comedian Charlie Murphy passed away today from Leukemia. He was 57 years old... 

 

[Squirrel]

J. Geils died yesterday.

[twinsnorth49]

Well that stinks.

[ashbury]

Well that stinks.

I should put a freeze frame of your post in the centerfold of the site, whatever any of that means.

[GCTF]

 

Well that stinks.

yeah yeah

[lecroy24fan]

Steelers owner Dan Rooney has passed away.

[Craig Arko]

Robert M. Pirsig, who inspired generations to road trip across America with his "novelistic autobigraphy," Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance, died Monday at the age of 88.