Octopus of Odstock

Bad luck. I liked that pick so much, I nicked it for 2014, knowing he would likely not make that long. Be interesting, albeit now fruitless for you, if he would've got an relevant obit.

At first, this seems like a notaguest posting lifted off WIkipedia - Richard Ben Cramer, American author, has died of lung cancer. But he's someone I've actually heard off - mainly for his book, Joe DiMaggio - A Hero's Life, which I bought about a decade ago looking for 1) a weighty tome - I think it was about 600 pages but also 2) for more insight about someone I'd heard of, but knew nothing about. The book, despite clearly being aimed at Americans and baseball fans in particular achieved both aims but also, remarkably, considering its core audience that it was marketed at, explained a lot to a non-baseball fan about the sport, as well as keeping the rounder-like fans happy. Anyway, link here - http://sports.yahoo....34158--mlb.html

Cue the Daily Mail - http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2257736/Oldest-living-U-S-citizen-dies-114.html

Surely, seeing that all of those suggested or recently deceased have made 82 at least, I'd say God likes Venezuelan Presidents quite a lot. He just doesn't like fat mini-dictators.

Historically (and in my lifetime, but I was far too young to remember); Dixie Dean Jackie Coogan In more recent years, the most notable would have to be Peter Osgood, in 2006.

Well this is a novel way to get new DDP picks.... I may be the only person on the DL to be actually picked for the DDP - http://www.derbydeadpool.co.uk/deadpool2009/celebs_O.html but nationwide full qualifying obit is highly unlikely. However, I would possibly get a mention in motor racing news reports if I died in the next 5 years or so, and more likely so the longer I live due to the nature of what I do within historic motor racing and my relative youth compated to my contempatories, but I don't think it's worth putting me on the DDP again any time soon.

I've no problem with guests posting, but what I do think needs to better is moving or deleting of posts - The Dead of 2013 thread, for example - a third are in the wrong thread, some of them are moaning about guests, some of them were HCW and TDF liasing and about 4 or 5 of the posts in The Dead of 2013 are actually about the dead of 2013. That said, It's not an easy task doing the admin and very thankless and I gave it up because I didn't want to be seen as anti-guest by deleting nonsense posts, amongst other time constraints. Having said about deletion and moving, I do think if everything was in order and perfect, the atmosphere, already less than before (not gone, by any means, just not quite what it was), would be very sterile. So sometimes when iain/notaguest posts, it briefly does my head in, but the stupidity of what he posts does liven it up a little bit.

Derek Kevan, the former WBA legend, who played (and scored) for England in the 1958 World Cup has died - http://www.bbc.co.uk...otball/20915138

Derrick Lythgoe, who played in the 1962 League Cup Final, and scored two goals in the first leg of the final (it was two legs then), has died, aged 79.

Jimmy Halliday, former leader of the SNP, has died. This was in the early days before they really made strides, but a leader is still a leader - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-20905955

I am sure I saw somewhere that someone has picked David James, a musician who was gravely ill over Christmas - I did think about him myself as a last-minute entry. I'm glad I didn't. James is dead and got a relevant obituary from The Telegraph, but sadly for those who picked him............. he died New Year's Eve. Unlucky, because that is really unfortunate. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthnews/9774373/Grandfather-at-centre-of-right-to-life-battle-dies.html

As I started the email, pick 20 was Jalal Talabani. Then I had a last-second change of heart and put in Bill Pertwee instead. I've said elsewhere that points wise, the very ill 90 somethings aren't worth picking if I'm to do well, so Jaruzelski went out at the very last minute (albeit he's not 90 until later this year). Princess Lillian likewise went in the last rummage of names. Buell seems remarkably well, Nolan likewise, Bush I think will hang on. Others not mentioned already that came close to consideration were Clive Derby-Lewis, Derek Thompson, Salvatore DiMasi, Guy Innes-Kerr, Lord Michael Sandberg, Paul Cellucci and Tim Curley. As for Mesrob, I dropped him as I didn't think he'd get an obit after looking into his chances in more detail.

He was dropped for my DDP team back in October when I saw that article. Yes, he's not a well man, and I don't give him an awful long time to go but as he says, the "near the end" was just a bit over-the-top. So I think he's one for 2 or 3 years.

Here's the full team after an unexpected blinding start.(actual date of submission for any doubters) From: OoO To: ddp2013@derbydeadpool.co.uk Subject: RE: '13 - Unlucky for Some? (DDP 2013) Date: Sat, 29 Dec 2012 23:13:50 +0000 Team Name: Octopus of Odstock Joker (Pick 1): Christopher Martin-Jenkins Pick 2: Bhanu Athaiya Pick 3: Dora Bryan Pick 4: Henry Cecil Pick 5: Hugo Chavez Pick 6: Van Cliburn Pick 7: Sir Robert Edwards Pick 8: Ian Farmer (Former Lonmin CEO) Pick 9: Janet Fielding Pick 10: Bonnie Franklin Pick 11: Kate Granger Pick 12: Damon Harris Pick 13: John Nkomo Pick 14: Jack Pardee Pick 15: Mike Porcaro Pick 16: Adolfo Suarez Pick 17: Michael Winner Pick 18: Annette Funicello Pick 19: Reg Presley Pick 20: Bill Pertwee Sorry Bert, Granger won't be unique. If Farmer and Athaiya are, I'll be pleased.

The only reason for that is that I'm not in it. I only do the DDP now

http://www.bbc.co.uk...ricket/20881346 Well thats a decent start to my DDP. CMJ was my joker so with Aggers confirming he died this morning all need to do is see if hes worth 16 points or 22 (unique pick). Hats off to Geoff Boycott and then CMJ's Twitter page for the tip and confirmation. No postings since November and total media silence from him over Greig's death meant the end was likely soon....

My Theme Team; The Jean Jacques Misse-Misse XI 1 Ron Henry (JOKER) 2 Graham Hawkins 3 Peter Broadbent 4 Tito Vilanova 5 Bruno Metsu 6 Sandy Jardine 7 Peter Swan 8 Tom Finney 9 Sammy Cox 10 Agne Simonsson 11 Richard Attenborough 12 Stefano Borgonovo 13 Sir John Hall 14 Barry Kilby 15 Bill Foulkes 16 Bobby Collins 17 Gyula Grosics 18 Alfredo di Stefano 19 Joao Havelange 20 Malcolm Glazer

Well, I like to lead the way. He's a good pick, he's frail, in a nursing home and on the way out before too long.

I dropped Joergensen for this year, so he may end up being an unique hit. I did debate - briefly - picking a team of 90 somethings, due to me dropping the likes of Jaruzelski, Misch, Mandela, Dole, Reagan, Joergensen, Whitlam et al but I felt it was going against the ethos of what the theme team idea is all about.

Despite winning it in 2010, I actually consider this year and 5th place, to be my best year performance wise - I think it's my highest ever points total and equal highest hit total. I also think the quality of opposition is even better every year. Well done to everyone and to TMIB for another year of fine running.

I've entered both my teams, one main, one theme. I was going to do it on New Year's Eve but have decided that I'll sit and relax and enjoy a lager than go on Google News all night and refresh every 10 minutes "terminally ill", "hospice" and "near death" I am sure I am going to regret this but providing none of the 20 submitted die in the next 2 days, I've droped Bernie Nolan, Jaruzelski and at the very, very last minute, after changing my mind twice and eventually going with my gut feeling, Jalal Talabani. Time will tell if Pick 20 on my entry list pays dividends.

Out of intensive care - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-20868957 WIll submit my DDP team tomorrow, but Bush won't be on it - not just because of this news, but I have a feeling that he will linger on for a little while, a la Mandela, Thatcher, Gabor, Biggs et al.* *Meaning all 5 of them will die on New Years Day

Phew... I actually dropped him as I had it on good authority that the lung cancer surgery was very successful and likely prognosis was looking good. Shows what I know...

What a shame - one of my favourite character actors who always enjoyable viewing.

Salt Walther, who raced in many Indianapolis 500's and whose life was a terribly tragic tale has died, aged 65. I fear it's an overdose given his history and the fact that he was very well a couple of months ago. http://www.wibc.com/news/story.aspx?ID=1851255