RIP

[Kobi]

Jimmy Piersall, former Major League center fielder who wrote about his struggle with mental illness, has died at the age of 87.

PIersall played with the Red Sox for seven seasons and is a member of the Red Sox Hall of Fame. He made his first appearance in the Majors in 1950. He made the All-Star team in 1954 and 1956. In 1956, he led the league in doubles. Piersall was an outstanding defensive player who won two gold gloves. After playing for the Red Sox, he went on to play for the Indians, Senators, Mets and Angels. Piersall retired after the 1967 season.

Piersall co-wrote his biography in 1955 titled “Fear Strikes Out: The Jim Piersall Story.” He talks about having a nervous breakdown and being admitted to a mental hospital for therapy. Piersall’s father put a great amount of pressure on him to be great in baseball. The book was adapted into a movie in 1957 that featured Anthony Perkins as Piersall. Piersall later was diagnosed with bipolar disorder.

After his playing career, Piersall was a broadcaster for the Texas Rangers in 1974 and the Chicago White Sox from 1977 until 1981.

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Guy bears an uncanny resemblance to Ben Affleck.

[Kobi]

Adam West — an actor defined and also constrained by his role in the 1960s series “Batman” — has died. He was 88.

With its “Wham! Pow!” onscreen exclamations, flamboyant villains and cheeky tone, “Batman” became a surprise hit with its premiere on ABC in 1966, a virtual symbol of ’60s kitsch. Yet West’s portrayal of the superhero and his alter ego, Bruce Wayne, ultimately made it hard for him to get other roles, and while he continued to work throughout his career, options remained limited because of his association with the character.

West also chafed against the darker versions of Bob Kane’s hero that emerged in more recent years, beginning with the Michael Keaton-starring, Tim Burton-directed adaptations that began in 1989, and followed by Christopher Nolan’s enormously successful Dark Knight trilogy.

In February 2016, CBS sitcom “The Big Bang Theory,” which had hosted a number of geek favorites over the years, celebrated its 200th episode — and marked the 50th anniversary of “Batman” — with an appearance by West.

[PlatinumPearl]

Prime Minister of Eswatini Ambrose Dlamini, who was hospitalized for COVID-19, dies at 52.

Ambrose Dlamini, 52, who tested positive for COVID-19 four weeks ago, died in neighboring South Africa where he was hospitalized, the country's Deputy Prime Minister Themba Masuku announced on Sunday. Formerly known as Swaziland, the Kingdom of Eswatini, which is Africa's last absolute monarchy, has reported over 6,700 coronavirus cases and 127 deaths among its population of 1.2 million people.

[C0LLETTE]

John Le Carré, whose real name was David Cornwell ...Dec 12/20 at age 89

British "Spy" ( Espionage ) writer .....maybe the best.

[~ocean]

RIP ~ K.C.Jones 12x NBA Champion ~ Hall of Fame Legend ~ NBA Coach died @88 yrs. old from Alzheimers . KC was living in a assisted living facility in Conn.

[Bèsame*]

LOS ANGELES - Dawn Wells, the actress who starred as castaway Mary Ann in the 1960s sitcom "Gilligan’s Island," died Wednesday of causes related to COVID-19. She was 82.

[GeorgiaMa'am]

LOS ANGELES -- Tommy Lasorda, the fiery Hall of Fame manager who guided the Los Angeles Dodgers to two World Series titles and later became an ambassador for the sport he loved during his 71 years with the franchise, has died. He was 93.

ESPN Tommy Lasorda