Don Burke

Don Burke

About the Author

Don Burke, who writes the occasional sports obituary, joined the New York Post in 2011 as a copy editor after 30 years as a sportswriter. A graduate of Marquette University, Don began his career at The Milwaukee Journal before returning home to New Jersey to cover the Yankees for The Record of Hackensack and The Star-Ledger, where he later covered the Nets and the Mets. He is now better known as "Brendan Burke's father," as his son is the television voice of the Islanders and one of the lead play-by-play men for the "NHL on TNT."

The Archive

Willie Mays, baseball icon, dead at 93

The “Say Hey Kid” has said farewell. Baseball legend Willie Mays has died at 93 years old, his son, Michael Mays, confirmed in an announcement through the Giants organization.

NBA great Jerry West — who inspired league logo — dead at 86

Jerry West, one of the greatest players in NBA history who also built the 1980 Lakers dynasty as their general manager, died Wednesday morning, the Clippers announced.

Bill Walton, legendary NBA player and broadcaster, dead at 71

Bill Walton, a former NBA MVP who then became a broadcaster, died Monday following a battle with cancer, the league announced.

Last surviving member of Dodgers' 'Boys of Summer' dead at 97

The last surviving member of the “Boys of Summer,” those fondly remembered Brooklyn Dodgers teams of the late 1940s to mid-1950s, Carl Erskine died Tuesday. He was 97.

Miracle Mets shortstop dead at 79

Bud Harrelson, the shortstop on the Mets’ first two World Series teams and later the club’s manager for parts of two seasons, died Wednesday night at 79.

Indiana coaching great Bob Knight dead at 83

Bob Knight, one of the greatest and most controversial coaches in basketball history, has died at 83 years old.

All-time NFL great Jim Brown dead at 87

Jim Brown, still revered by many as the greatest football player who ever lived, died Thursday in Los Angeles. He was 87.

Yankees great felt like 'hood ornament' before leaving franchise

Reggie Jackson's inability to be heard within the Yankees organization is the main reason why he left two years ago, he says in a new documentary.

Willis Reed, legendary Knicks Hall of Famer, dead at 80

Willis Reed, the heart and soul of the Knicks’ most recent NBA championship teams, and the man who gave New York City sports one of its most iconic moments, died...

Tim McCarver was one of baseball's most influential voices

Tim McCarver drew on his two-decade MLB career to provide unique and often humorous insight to viewers across baseball.

Soccer legend Pelé dead at 82 after health battles

Pelé spent many of his years after retirement serving as an ambassador for the game he loved, his worldwide fame continuing long after he had played his last game.

Ray Kerrison, The Post's legendary horse racing columnist, dead at 92

Whether it was the ponies or politics, Ray Kerrison was, as one former colleague described him Monday, the “quintessential New York columnist.”

Legendary MLB broadcaster dead at 94

Vin Scully, Hall of Fame broadcaster for the Dodgers in Brooklyn and Los Angeles has died at 94, the team says.

Former Yankees outfielder dead at 55

Gerald Williams was drafted by the Yankees in 1987 and made his debut in pinstripes in 1992. He played five seasons in The Bronx before being traded to the Brewers...

Baseball icon Tommy Lasorda dead at 93

Tommy Lasorda, who claimed to “bleed Dodger blue” from the moment he entered the Brooklyn Dodgers organization in 1949 and decades later became the colorful and very successful manager of...

Whitey Ford, Yankees Hall of Famer, dead at 91

Whitey Ford, who pitched the Yankees to 11 American League pennants and six World Series championships in the 1950s and '60s and who still holds the highest winning percentage (.690)...

Baseball legend and trailblazer Frank Robinson dead at 83

Frank Robinson, who slid hard on the asphalt streets of Oakland, Calif. as a youngster and harder still in every game he played during a major league career that saw...

Yankees and Mets icon Mel Stottlemyre dead at 77

Mel Stottlemyre, a midseason call-up who helped pitch the Yankees into the 1964 World Series and who later was the pitching coach for world championship teams in both The Bronx...

Why Mike Francesa's radio domination almost never happened

Mike Francesa was done. The interview was over. And the new sports radio station in town had turned him down. Cold. In early 1987, what we now know as WFAN...

Mike Francesa open to saving WFAN from Carton disaster

So you're saying there's a chance? In the wake of WFAN morning co-host Craig Carton's arrest and subsequent suspension last week, Mike Francesa, who is set to leave the station...