What Happened This Year 1998

People Who Died in 1998

Bill Tuttle

Baseball player and outfielder
Born
July 4th, 1929 95 years ago
Died
1998 27 years ago — 69 years old

Debuted in Major League Baseball in 1952 with the Detroit Tigers. Played as an outfielder for several teams during the 1950s and 1960s, including the Kansas City Athletics and the Chicago White Sox. Contributed to the Tigers' 1955 American League pennant victory. Finished his playing career with a .250 batting average over eleven seasons, noted for his defensive skills and speed on the field.

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Richard Cassilly

Tenor and actor from 'The Most Happy Fella'
Born
December 14th, 1927 97 years ago
Died
1998 27 years ago — 71 years old

An American tenor and actor celebrated for a distinguished career in opera and musical theater. Notable performances occurred at the Metropolitan Opera, where notable roles included performances in 'La Traviata', 'Aida', and 'Carmen'. Achievements included performances on Broadway, particularly in the acclaimed production of 'The Most Happy Fella' and appearances in television specials. Cassilly's vocal talent earned recognition in various music competitions, leading to a successful recording career. A respected figure in the operatic community, he contributed to the arts through teaching and mentoring aspiring performers.

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Henry Steele Commager

Historian and author of influential works
Born
October 25th, 1902 122 years ago
Died
1998 27 years ago — 96 years old

An American historian and author significantly contributed to the understanding of American history and issues related to civil liberties. Commager's academic career included teaching at Columbia University and the University of Massachusetts. He authored numerous books, including 'The American Mind' and 'Documentary History of the United States', which explored American identity and culture. He served as an editor and wrote extensively on the Constitution and civil rights. His work influenced both scholarship and public discourse on historical topics.

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Augusta Braxton Baker

Librarian and advocate for children's literature
Born
April 1st, 1911 113 years ago
Died
1998 27 years ago — 87 years old

Contributions to children's literature and librarianship included developing programs to increase access to books for African American children. Played a significant role in promoting diversity in library collections and served as the first African American female in the New York Public Library's Professional Division. Extensive work in the American Library Association led to initiatives that supported the inclusion of African American authors and stories within children's literature. Authored books and articles that highlighted the importance of representation in library services.

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Jack Rowley

English footballer and manager
Born
October 7th, 1920 104 years ago
Died
1998 27 years ago — 78 years old

A prominent English footballer and manager, played as a forward. Spent the majority of playing career at Manchester United from 1939 to 1954. Contributed significantly to the team's successes, including winning the FA Cup in 1948. Transitioned into management post-retirement, overseeing various clubs and focusing on player development.

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Giant Haystacks

Professional wrestler, TV personality
Born
October 10th, 1947 77 years ago
Died
1998 27 years ago — 51 years old

English professional wrestler gained prominence in the 1970s and 1980s, becoming a major figure in British wrestling. Renowned for his massive size and unique persona, he became a regular on television shows such as 'World of Sport.' Wrestled for major promotions including Joint Promotions and won the British Heavyweight Championship. Transitioned into television and appeared in various series, further solidifying a legacy in entertainment.

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Yuri Artyukhin

Russian colonel and space engineer
Born
June 22nd, 1930 94 years ago
Died
1998 27 years ago — 68 years old

Born in 1930, this individual served as a colonel in the Soviet Air Force and was an accomplished engineer. Participation in space missions included a flight aboard Soyuz 14 in 1974. The mission lasted nearly 14 days and aimed at conducting scientific experiments and operations on the Salyut 7 space station. Contributions to the field of space exploration were significant, particularly in the development of engineering solutions for human spaceflight. This individual also held various leadership roles within the Soviet space program, influencing the design and implementation of crewed missions.

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Klaus Tennstedt

Conductor and orchestral leader
Born
June 6th, 1926 98 years ago
Died
1998 27 years ago — 72 years old

Born in Germany in 1926, a prominent conductor gained recognition for interpretations of classical repertoire. Worked extensively with major orchestras, including the London Philharmonic and the Boston Symphony Orchestra. Held the position of principal conductor of the NDR Symphony Orchestra in Hamburg, enhancing its global reputation. Conducted notable performances at prestigious venues, showcasing a deep understanding of the scores and an ability to communicate with the musicians effectively. Successes included conducting the complete symphonies of Mahler and Bruckner, which received acclaim from critics and audiences alike.

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Keith Newton

English footballer, played for Burnley
Born
June 23rd, 1941 83 years ago
Died
1998 27 years ago — 57 years old

A professional footballer born in England on June 23, 1941. Played primarily as a full-back and made a significant impact in the Football League. Spent a substantial part of his career at Burnley, where he contributed to the team's success during the 1960s. Also played for Blackburn Rovers and had a brief stint with various other clubs. Represented the England national team at the under-23 level. Retired from professional football in the mid-1970s, transitioning to a coaching role afterwards.

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