Tremendous Losses in the Sports World

The last few weeks have brought tremendous losses in the sports world.  Honestly, some of the great players, coaches, personalities and groundbreakers in sports.  In alphabetical order, we have lost:  Ernie Banks, Billy Casper, Stuart Scott, Charlie Sifford, Dean Smith, and Jerry Tarkanian.  And with Anthony Mason in dire straits and fighting for his life at age 48, we here at We Make It Rain just want to pay a collective homage to these amazing athletes, coaches and personalities.

I feel that all of the tribute pieces on television and in writing have gone over the collective histories of these gentlemen, so I will refrain from doing the same thing, but I just will give some mention to each.

Ernie Banks - Mr. Cub, had 512 home runs, including leading the league twice.  He was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1977 in his first year on the ballot.

Billy Casper - He is 7th all-time in PGA Tour wins, including 3 majors.  He has scored more points than any other American in Ryder Cup history.  He was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1978,  

Stuart Scott - Although he is widely credited with bringing an urban twist to sports broadcasting, he definitely brought youth, excitement and charisma.

Charlie Sifford - He was the first African-American to play on the PGA Tour.  He won twice, and he was elected to the Hall of Fame in 2004

Dean Smith - Four time national coach of the year, winning two national championships.  Only person that could keep Michael Jordan under 20 points per game.  He was elected into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1983 and the College Basketball Hall of Fame in 2006.

Jerry Tarkanian - He won 706 games at the collegiate level, while making UNLV a national powerhouse.  Won a national title.  He was elected into the Hall of Fame in 2013.

If people are superstitious, and believe that famous people die in threes, then we are in for some more losses in the sports world, if we categorize the above by like groups.

For instance:

North Carolina alums - (1) Stuart Scott; (2) Dean Smith; (3) _____________?

Basketball coaches - (1) Dean Smith; (2) Jerry Tarkanian; (3) ____________?

Basketball - (1) Dean Smith; (2) Jerry Tarkanian; (3) ____________ (Anthony Mason)?

Groundbreakers - (1) Ernie Banks; (2) Charlie Sifford; (3) Stuart Scott

Golf - (1) Charlie Sifford; (2) Billy Casper; (3) Tiger Woods' golf game

Rest in Peace knowing that you brought great joy to sports fans everywhere!