From Kobe Bryant to Maradona: the figures they left us in 2020

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As if the coronavirus pandemic wasn’t lethal enough for the sport in 2020, this year left fans sad to see renowned athletes like NBA star Kobe Bryant and the legend of football, Diego Armando Maradona.

These were two of the most shocking deaths of these 12 months, which also mourned the Puerto Rican sport with the death of personalities such as federal judge and Olympic exvelerista Juan R. Torruella and former world champion Carlos “Sugar” of León.

KOBE BRYANT

The legendary Los Angeles Lakers player died Jan. 26 in an accident while traveling in a helicopter accompanied by his 13-year-old daughter, Gianna, and seven other people. He was 41 years old. It was news that shook the whole world. The crash happened on the side of a hill in Calabassas, California, in the middle of a dense morning fog that – according to a partial report from the National Transportation Safety Board – may have disoriented the pilot.

His unexpected death sparked a whirlwind of reactions in the world of sports and beyond because his fame transcended that frontier. In fact, star LeBron James picked up on the feelings of many by pointing out that Bryant’s death made no sense. Bryant, alongside Tim Duncan and Kevin Garnett, will be exalted at the Basketball Hall of Fame in May next year. Bryant won five championships with the Lakers and was a figure in the U.S. Dream Team by winning gold medals at the 2008 and 2012 Olympics. He was also a basketball ambassador to FIBA.

DIEGO MARADONA

The football star died of a cardiac arrest on November 25 at his residence in the province of Buenos Aires at the age of 60. The captain of the Argentine national team – which won the 1986 World Cup – had undergone cranial edema weeks before his death. At the moment, the Attorney General’s Office of Sant Isidre is investigating the doctors who treated the former footballer for alleged negligence. An autopsy report he recently revealed ruled out that drugs and alcohol had anything to do with his death. The Argentine country mourned the departure of the legendary footballer, who in addition to shining in the national team, was a figure with the clubs Boca Juniors, Naples and Barcelona, ​​among others.

The death of “El Pelusa” provoked poignant scenes of his fans and moving tributes such as that made by his compatriot, Lionel Messi, who then scored a goal for Osasuna took off his shirt from Barcelona to show a shirt of Newell’s Old Boys, Messi’s favorite club in which Maradona played, with the number 10 on his back.

Other figures who died this year

Star of David: An ex-commissioner of the NBA died on January 1 due to a brain sprain. He was 77 years old.

  • David Stern entered as an NBA commissioner in 1984. Pictured, alongside Hakeem Olajuwon and Sam Bowie in this year’s draw.

    David Stern entered as an NBA commissioner in 1984. Pictured, alongside Hakeem Olajuwon and Sam Bowie in this year’s draw. (ELNUEVODIA.COM)

  • In 1996, he presented the most valuable player trophy of the final to Michael Jordan.

    In 1996, he presented the most valuable player trophy of the final to Michael Jordan. (ELNUEVODIA.COM)

  • Stern raised the popularity of the NBA in the 1990s.

    Stern raised the popularity of the NBA in the 1990s. (ELNUEVODIA.COM)

  • Jordan was the main star of the NBA during the 1990s.

    Jordan was the main star of the NBA during the 1990s. (ELNUEVODIA.COM)

  • He presented the most valuable player trophy on four occasions to Lebron James.

    He presented the most valuable player trophy on four occasions to Lebron James. (ELNUEVODIA.COM)

  • Stern welcomes Carmelo Anthony to the NBA in the 2003 draw.

    Stern welcomes Carmelo Anthony to the NBA in the 2003 draw. (ELNUEVODIA.COM)

  • Stern alongside Dwight Howard in the 2004 draw.

    Stern alongside Dwight Howard in the 2004 draw. (ELNUEVODIA.COM)

  • Derrick Rose, first pick in the 2008 draw, alongside Stern.

    Derrick Rose, first pick in the 2008 draw, alongside Stern. (ELNUEVODIA.COM)

  • Stern alongside Kyrie Irving, first pick in the 2011 draw.

    Stern alongside Kyrie Irving, first pick in the 2011 draw. (ELNUEVODIA.COM)

  • Maurici Harkless, with Puerto Rican roots, was part of the 2011 draw.

    Maurici Harkless, with Puerto Rican roots, was part of the 2011 draw. (ELNUEVODIA.COM)

  • Stern left the post in 2014. The position was for Adam Silver, his right hand man for years.

    Stern left the post in 2014. The position was for Adam Silver, his right hand man for years. (ELNUEVODIA.COM)

Don Larsen: Unique to launch a perfect game in the history of the World Series. It happened in the fifth party in the Classic one of Fall of 1956. It died the 1 of January to the 90 years.

Tony Fernández: The Dominican participated in 17 seasons of the Major Leagues. The shortstop died on February 16 due to kidney problems. He was 56 years old.

Roger Mayweather: Floyd “Money” ‘s uncle Mayweather Jr. died March 17 at the age of 58. He was a two-time world boxing champion.

Al Kaline: He played in Detroit for 22 seasons, including when the Tigers won the World Series in 1968. He died on April 6 at the age of 85.

Don Shula: It owns the mark of victories like technician in the NFL. He led the Miami Dolphins to an undefeated season in 1972. He died on May 4 at age 90.

Jerry Sloan: Emblematic leader of the Utah Jazz. He died on May 22 from complications with Parkinson’s and dementia. He was 23 years in front of the Jazz.

  • Jerry Sloan spent 23 seasons as coach of the Utah Jazz. He died on May 22, 2020 at the age of 78.

    Jerry Sloan spent 23 seasons as coach of the Utah Jazz. He died on May 22, 2020 at the age of 78. (The Associated Press)

  • Prior to directing, Sloan was a stellar player for the Chicago Bulls. His jersey with the number 4 was removed by the team, the first in the history of the franchise.

    Prior to directing, Sloan was a stellar player for the Chicago Bulls. His jersey with the number 4 was removed by the team, the first in the history of the franchise. (The Associated Press)

  • During his stint with Utah, there were 245 coach changes in the league, and five teams — Charlotte, Memphis, Toronto, Orlando and Minnesota — did not even exist when he took control of the Jazz.

    During his stint with Utah, there were 245 coach changes in the league, and five teams — Charlotte, Memphis, Toronto, Orlando and Minnesota — did not even exist when he took control of the Jazz. (The Associated Press)

  • Utah advanced twice to the final under Sloan, and both times lost to Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls.

    Utah advanced twice to the final under Sloan, and both times lost to Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls. (The Associated Press)

  • Sloan directed for years the stellar duo of John Stockton and Karl Malone. All three are members of the Hall of Fame.

    Sloan directed for years the stellar duo of John Stockton and Karl Malone. All three are members of the Hall of Fame. (The Associated Press)

  • Through the kingdoms of Sloan passed the boricua Basket Carlos Arroyo.

    Through the kingdoms of Sloan passed the boricua Basket Carlos Arroyo. (The Associated Press)

  • Sloan directed Arroyo in Utah between 2002 and 2005.

    Sloan directed Arroyo in Utah between 2002 and 2005. (The Associated Press)

  • In a recent Instagram Live with José Juan Barea, Arroyo acknowledged the discipline Sloan demanded of his players.

    In a recent Instagram Live with José Juan Barea, Arroyo acknowledged the discipline Sloan demanded of his players. (The Associated Press)

  • Sloan hugs Scottie Pippen, then a member of the Portland Trail Blazers in 2000.

    Sloan hugs Scottie Pippen, then a member of the Portland Trail Blazers in 2000. (The Associated Press)

  • Sloan after his 1,000th win as a leader in 2006. He averaged 1,221 wins in his career, the fourth-highest in NBA history.

    Sloan after his 1,000th win as a leader in 2006. He averaged 1,221 wins in his career, the fourth-highest in NBA history. (The Associated Press)

  • Sloan entered the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2009.

    Sloan entered the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2009. (The Associated Press)

  • Sloan in 2017 during a Jazz activity. The mentor suffered from Parkinson’s disease and dementia with Lewy bodies, a degenerative disease.

    Sloan in 2017 during a Jazz activity. The mentor suffered from Parkinson’s disease and dementia with Lewy bodies, a degenerative disease. (The Associated Press)

Wes Unseld: He was the Most Valuable Player in the NBA in 1969. He led the Washington Bullets to the 1978 championship. He died on June 2 at age 74.

John Thompson: He was the first black leader to win the NCAA Men’s Basketball Championship with Georgetown University in 1984. He died on August 31 at the age of 78.

Cliff Robinson: He had an outstanding career as a member of the Trail Blazers of Portland. He died on August 29th.

Tom Seaver: The legendary New York Mets pitcher won 311 games in MLB. He helped the Mets win the 1969 World Series. He died on August 31 at the age of 75.

Lou Brock: He racked up the second-most stolen base in MLB history. He died on September 6 at the age of 81.

Joe Laurinaitis (Road Warrior Animal): She was part of one of the most popular couples in professional wrestling. He died on September 22 of natural causes at the age of 60.

Bob Gibson: He was one of the most feared pitchers of his time with the St. Louis Cardinals. After battling pancreatic cancer, he died on October 2 at the age of 84. Puerto Rican receiver Yadier Molina and the rest of the baseball family mourned his departure.

Whitey Ford: The legendary New York Yankees pitcher was 91 years old when he died on October 9th. He remains the pitcher with the most World Series wins.

Joe Morgan: One of the best middlemen in MLB history died on October 11 of neuropathy. He was 77 years old.

Juan R. Torruella: The former Olympic reveler died on October 26 as a result of a heart attack. It represented Puerto Rico in four Olympic Games: 1964, Mexico 1968, Munich 1972 and Montreal 1976. Also, it obtained silver medal in the Central American Games and the Caribbean in San Juan 1966 and, as well, in Santo Domingo 1974 .

Light C. “Lucy” Batista Vega: The administrator of the Puerto Rico Baseball Academy & High School (PRBAHS) in Gurabo died on November 11.

Juan Felix “Cukin” Nunez: The ex-representative of the Cider Bulls in Double Baseball A died on November 28.

Rogelio Moret: One of the best left-handed Boricuas pitchers of all time, he died on 8 December. He pitched in the Major Leagues for nine seasons and finished with a lifetime record of 47-27. It sent with the Red Sox of Boston in the World-wide Series of the year 1975.

Josep “Tito” Rodríguez Casanova: The former national volleyball player died on December 13 after a lymphoma-related illness. He was 66 years old.

Phil Niekro: The member of the Baseball Hall of Fame who threw the ball of knuckles died on December 27 after a long battle with cancer. He was 81 years old.

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