When I first heard the news about Hulk Hogan’s passing, I was shocked. I heard it on the radio while driving and nearly pulled to the side of the road.

Hogan revitalized wrestling in the 1980s, and he soon became one of the most recognizable people in the world. Toys, cartoons and regular appearances on network TV followed. (I recently saw him in a rerun of “Walker, Texas Ranger.”)

This week, the baseball world also lost former Cub and Phillies manager Ryne Sandberg, who died of cancer.

Sandberg was a trailblazer in his own way, the most prolific power-hitting second baseman in the 1980s and ’90s since Joe Morgan set the pace a decade earlier. Although he didn’t have the same cultural impact as Hogan, Sandberg was an unquestioned Hall of Famer.

Who were the athletes who became instantly associated with being the best in their sport since the 1960s?

In this edition of my Yesterday column — reminiscing about sports and pop culture from the ’60s, ’70s, ’80s and sometimes before and beyond — I’ll look back at some of the game’s greats in wrestling, football and baseball, as well as a few pop‑culture notes.

I’ll also reflect on the contributions of a loyal reader.

In the squared circle ... Before “Hulkamania” arrived in 1984, Bruno Sammartino lived up to his billing as the “Italian Strongman,” and was once touted as the strongest man in the world. Sammartino was no‑frills, with a low‑key personality that was easy to like.

In 1963, Sammartino claimed his first WWWF title when he defeated an aging Buddy Rogers in 48 seconds. He held the belt for seven‑and‑a‑half years before he was defeated by Ivan Koloff. Sammartino still had good years ahead and soon regained the title; in 1977, battling neck injuries, he lost the belt to “Superstar” Billy Graham. In all, Sammartino was champion for 2,803 days.

Bob Backlund and Pedro Morales would follow, but neither had the persona to ignite the crowd like Sammartino.

Beyond Hogan and Sammartino, it’s hard for me to name many wrestlers who were as instantly recognizable and who carried crowds the way they did back in the day — yes, I know you can mention The Rock, John Cena and “Stone Cold” Steve Austin, but that came later.

On the gridiron ... This topic can cast a wide net: Who are some of the greatest football players since 1950?

Although I never saw him play, Jim Brown rushed for 12,312 yards in 118 games over nine seasons. This was in the late ’50s and early ’60s, when 100 yards in a game was a huge feat. Brown averaged 104.3 per game. He now sits just outside the top 10 on the all‑time rushing list, but he set the standard. (Sorry, Cowboys fans—and fellow scribe Rod Heckman — I’m not mentioning Tony Dorsett in that same sentence.)

Others I believe were generational players over the last 60‑plus years include the Giants’ Lawrence Taylor and 49ers wide receiver Jerry Rice.

Taylor was a pioneer for the edge rushers we see today. From 1981–90, he was selected to 10 straight Pro Bowls, and was a three‑time NFL Defensive Player of the Year. During his prime, Taylor was virtually unstoppable wherever he lined up. He recorded 124 sacks in 145 games over his first 10 years.

Along with Taylor, Rice was a game‑changer when he burst on the scene in 1985 as a big receiver with speed. Rice went on to set the all‑time marks in receptions (1,549), receiving yards (22,895) and touchdowns (197).

Is Tom Brady the greatest quarterback? Looking at his numbers, it’s tough to argue otherwise. Don’t forget Terry Bradshaw, Bart Starr, Joe Montana, Roger Staubach, Peyton Manning, Johnny Unitas and John Elway. If Joe Namath had stayed healthy, he would have been there.

What do you think? Let me know.

Second sackers ... Everyone would agree that Sandberg is a Hall of Famer, but we shouldn’t forget his numbers.

From 1982–92, Sandberg hit 255 of his 282 homers and drove in 880 of his 1,061 RBIs. He hit .285 over 16 years.

Sandberg played 13 games for the Phillies in 1981 before Dallas Green — who had just become the Cubs’ general manager — acquired him in January 1982 in the trade for Ivan DeJesus. (Larry Bowa was also sent to the Cubs.)

A counterpart from the same era was former Oriole and Angel Bobby Grich, who did his most damage in Anaheim. From 1979–86, Grich hit 141 of his 224 homers and drove in 492 runs (1,087 total). He hit .266 over 17 seasons.

Before Sandberg and Grich, the most prolific power‑hitting second baseman was Joe Morgan, who won the MVP in both 1974 and 1975. His most productive period was from 1971–78, when he hit 146 of his 268 homers and had 615 of his 1,133 RBIs. Morgan hit .271 overall, remarkably lasting 22 years. (Remember, he was part of the “Wheeze Kids” — Philadelphia’s veteran‑laden 1983 World Series team.)

Others known for their power at second: Davey Johnson, Jim Lefebvre, Jeff Kent, Lou Whitaker and Robinson Cano.

When you compare the averages and totals of those three, you realize how good Sandberg was.

Open the board ... Over the years, thousands of games have crossed our paths.

Here are a few that come to mind: Monopoly, The Game of Life—classics that never go out of style. One of my favorites is Clue; the movie is one I can always watch, too. You can add standards like chess, checkers and backgammon.

Some forgotten games were based on TV shows: “I Dream of Jeannie,” “The Munsters,” “Batman,” “Lost in Space” and “Star Trek.” Have any of those?

WWWF/WWE wrap ... Each week, I’ll look back at a former wrestler many of us watched in our youth. We’ll stay with the Hulkster.

Hogan made his debut in September 1977 and initially wrestled in the South under names like Terry Boulder, Super Destroyer, Sterling Golden and Hulk Boulder — and later, Hollywood Hogan. He wrestled thousands of matches over a 34‑year career that ended in 2012.

In April 1979, Hogan arrived as a protégé of manager Freddie Blassie, billed as a strongman from Venice Beach, California, facing Sylvano Sousa during a TV taping at Allentown’s Ag Hall.

Hogan challenged Bob Backlund for the WWF title several times in 1980 — including at the Philadelphia Spectrum — but Backlund retained the belt. Hogan wouldn’t capture the championship until Jan. 23, 1984, when he pinned the Iron Sheik at Madison Square Garden.

Hogan held the WWF/WWE title multiple times between 1984 and 1993, and also was the NWA Gulf Coast champion, NWA Southeastern champion, IWGP champion and WCW champion.

If you haven’t yet, check out sports editor Patrick Matsinko’s July 25 piece on Hogan and other icons who recently passed.

Auf Wiedersehen ... One of my favorite things about this column was the weekly response from avid reader Richard Ochs. He always had an interesting perspective on the Phillies, as well as a keen recollection of pro wrestling and popular songs. For me, working on a column, Mr. Ochs was an anticipated joy every week.

Mr. Ochs spent time in Germany, celebrating his heritage and studying at Johannes Gutenberg University, where he earned an M.A. in German. In addition, he earned two undergraduate degrees in German from Kutztown University, and taught German in the Pleasant Valley School District for many years at the middle and high school levels.

In January, though, his correspondence stopped. At first, I thought he might have been traveling or too busy. I began to reach out and didn’t get a response. I was worried.

Recently, assistant sports editor Rod Heckman sent me his obituary. I was extremely saddened and stunned. Even though we never met — and I really wanted to — I felt like I lost a dear friend. His letters made me smile every week.

To his family, please accept my deepest condolences. I know this is a sports column, but I had to write this. We all have had someone like this in our lives.

To Mr. Ochs, “Schlaf gut und friedlich” (sleep well and peacefully). I can’t wait until we finally meet and talk sports — and some German.

Auf Wiedersehen.

Your thoughts are always welcome and will be published; email them to tnsports@tnonline.com.