RIP

The man who stabbed a former MLB player to death has been convicted of 2nd degree murder in a L.A. courtroom ... TMZ Sports has learned.

Rod Craig -- who played 4 seasons in the league back in the early '80s -- was living on the streets back in 2013 ... when he tried to stay at a homeless encampment but was turned away by other transients.

According to investigators, 55-year-old Craig tried to kick a dog as he left the encampment ... infuriating several people who chased after him and attacked ... with one of attackers stabbing Craig in the chest.

The terminally ill fan Eminem visited over the weekend, passed away Monday afternoon ... just about 24 hours after he got to meet his favorite rapper.

17-year-old Gage Garmo -- who was battling a rare type of bone cancer called Osteosarcoma -- died the day after Em arranged a secret visit to Gage's home Sunday ... and spent an hour talking and hanging out with him.

Gage's family said the visit really raised his spirits.

Veteran comedy actor Taylor Negron died Saturday ... this according to his cousin -- and he had been reportedly battling cancer for years.

Negron's cousin Chuck Negron -- lead singer of Three Dog Night -- confirmed the sad news with an emotional video ... saying the actor was surrounded by family when he passed away.

Taylor had roles in a slew of TV shows ... as well as famous movies like -- "Stuart Little," "Bio-Dome," Nothing But Trouble," "Fast Times at Ridgemont High" and "Angels in the Outfield."

He was 57 years-old.

Mickey Rourke will never forget his deceased dog, even if he wants to ... because its nickname is now emblazoned on his arm.

Rourke paid homage to his four-legged buddy Jaws at a New York tattoo parlor Sunday night ... where the actor sat for 2 hours as the artist inscribed the dog's nickname, "Guapo Siempre" -- handsome forever -- on Mickey's arm.

It appears the Chihuahua went to dog heaven in the last few months. Mickey was emotional during the session, showing the tattoo artist pics of Jaws and telling stories about the tiny pooch.

The ink set Mickey back around $400, plus a big tip.

You may recall ... Mickey lost Loki, another chihuahua, a few years back, and it really broke him up.

Oklahoma City Thunder star Kevin Durant honored ESPN legend Stuart Scott on the court last night ... with a hand-written tribute to the anchor penned on his sneakers.

Stuart Scott was so passionate about continuing his MMA training during his fight with cancer, he REFUSED to quit ... even after doctors implanted a chemotherapy port into his chest.

"He was such an impressive person," says Sensei Darin Reisler ... who trained Scott in Connecticut.

"During his last round of chemotherapy, when he would train, he was training with the chemotherapy port surgically implanted in his chest. He did mixed martial arts... with a chemo port in his chest!"

Scott had said MMA training helped to get his energy up after grueling chemo sessions -- but Sensei Darin says Stuart wasn't just training to help himself.

"He really looked out for the needs of others. He was the first person to volunteer to work with a new student, and he always had a smile on his face."

Legendary ESPN anchor Stuart Scott has died at the age of 49 ... after a long battle with cancer.

The network made the announcement Sunday morning.

Scott joined ESPN in '93 as the host of "SportsNight" ... and eventually became a staple on "SportsCenter." He became a national superstar using catchphrases like "Boo-yah," "Call him butter, he's on a roll" and "Cooler than the other side of the pillow."

In July, Scott received the Jimmy V Perseverance Award at the ESPYs ... and opened up about his battle with cancer.

"When you die, it does not mean that you lose to cancer. You beat cancer by how you live, why you live, and in the manner in which you live."

President Obama released a statement about Scott's passing ... saying, “I will miss Stuart Scott. Twenty years ago, Stu helped usher in a new way to talk about our favorite teams and the day’s best plays. For much of those twenty years, public service and campaigns have kept me from my family – but wherever I went, I could flip on the TV and Stu and his colleagues on ‘SportsCenter’ were there.”

Scott is survived by two daughters -- and at the ESPYs, said being a dad is the best thing he was ever able to do.

"Taelor and Sydni, I love you guys more than I will ever be able to express. You two are my heartbeat. I am standing here on this stage tonight because of you."

Scott was a fighter all the way 'til the end -- and had been doing intense MMA training in between cancer treatments. Scott's sensei told TMZ Sports Scott REFUSED to let anyone take it easy on him in the ring and was known around the training facility as a "battle horse."

Donna Douglas -- who famously portrayed Elly May Clampett on the legendary 60s TV series "The Beverly Hillbillies" -- passed away Thursday at her home in Louisiana with friends and family by her side.

Douglas' granddaughter confirmed the death to TMZ.

Donna starred on "The Beverly Hillbillies" for all nine seasons and even returned for the 1981 reunion TV movie.

Douglas also appeared in several other iconic TV series, including "Mister Ed," "The Twilight Zone," "The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet," "Adam 12," and "Route 66."

She also co-starred with Elvis Presley in "Frankie and Johnny."

Douglas filed two famous lawsuits over the years. In the 1990s, she sued Disney claiming they stole the idea for "Sister Act" from her. In 2011, she sued Mattel for making a Barbie doll with her likeness without her permission. She lost the "Sister Act" case and settled the Barbie case.

Donna was 81.

Edward Herrmann -- perhaps best known for playing Richard Gilmore on "Gilmore Girls" -- died this morning in a hospital in New York. He was 71.

Herrmann's family tells TMZ he had been battling brain cancer and had been in ICU for the last 3 1/2 weeks. Ultimately, things did not improve and his family decided to take him off the respirator.

Herrmann was married twice and and his second wife Star tells TMZ the actor leaves behind 3 children.

Herrmann was on "Gilmore Girls" for its entire run and recently appeared in several episodes of "The Good Wife." He was also nominated for an emmy for his portrayal of Franklin D. Roosevelt in the '70's, was the head vampire in "The Lost Boys," and famously starred alongside Macaulay Culkin in "Richie Rich."

Lauren Graham -- Herrmann's TV daughter -- tweeted, "My friend Ed Herrmann was the kindest, classiest, most talented man. It was an honor and a joy to know him, a devastating blow to lose him."

Christine Cavanaugh -- the original voice of "Babe" the pig and Dexter from "Dexter's Laboratory" -- has died at the age of 51.

Cavanaugh passed away on December 22nd ... the details surrounding her death are unclear.

Christine's work is legendary ... providing the voice of countless iconic cartoon characters including Chuckie the red-headed baby from "Rugrats."

She also voiced characters from "Darkwing Duck," "Aladdin," "The Critic," "The Powerpuff Girls" and "The Wild Thornberrys."

Cavanaugh retired from voice acting in 2001. Her character in "Rugrats" was replaced by Nancy Cartwright -- who's most famous for voicing Bart Simpson.

Christine had no biological children -- but she was the godmother to the child of one of her close friends.

The nuclear family war surrounding Casey Kasem's death was punctuated by one of the saddest photos we've seen in a long time ... a lone, dark grave in a far away land.

As we reported, the famed DJ was finally buried last week in an Oslo, Norway cemetery ... 6 months after he died.

Casey's wife Jean and his kids have been feuding over everything, including an autopsy and burial. The kids believe Jean moved the body to Norway to let it sit so it would decompose and frustrate cops in their elder abuse investigation.

Casey's grave is buried in snow in the dark, surrounded by other graves with lit candles celebrating XMAS and memories.

RIP Casey.

Joe Cocker -- the gravely-voiced singer known for his version of "With a Little Help From My Friends" -- died today after battling a lung cancer ... according to his agent.

Cocker was reportedly on his ranch in Colorado with his wife when he passed away.

Cocker's cover of the Beatles 'Help From My Friends' made him an international superstar in 1968. He went on to have several other huge hits, like "You are So Beautiful" in 1975 -- and his duet with Jennifer Warnes ... "Up Where We Belong." That song earned him a Grammy in 1983.

Joe's Woodstock performance was legendary. He was 70 years old.

Casey Kasem was finally laid to rest ... 6 months after he died.

It's the end of what turned into an international power struggle between Casey's wife, Jean, and his children.

We've learned the famed DJ was buried last Tuesday at the Vestre Gravlund, one of the largest cemeteries in Norway. We're told there was a small ceremony ... we don't know if Jean was there but we're told his kids were not. Casey's children didn't know he was even buried until Monday.

The burial is legally significant. The LAPD has been conducting an elder abuse investigation after Casey's kids filed a police report claiming Jean caused Casey to get a fatal infection during a wild, multi-state car ride.

The body has been rotting away for months -- for a long period of time it wasn't even embalmed. The decay and now the burial in a foreign land will make it virtually impossible for L.A. authorities to make a solid determination on whether the bed sores contributed to Casey's death.

RIP Casey ... finally.

Legendary actor and "Dallas" star Larry Hagman broke his word by dying ... and now a guy who says he was left high and dry wants the ghost of Larry to ante up.

John Castonia claims he was lured from Texas to Cali in 2012, to manage Hagman's career as he shot the "Dallas" remake for TNT. But John was no fool ... he says he got a 7-month guarantee in his contract -- $2,500 a week.

Here's the problem. Larry died 3 months into the deal, and the money train stopped. So now he's suing Larry's estate for the remaining $42,500.

The Ewings might handle this differently.

Floyd Mayweather is putting aside some brutal facts and paying for the funeral of the rapper who gunned down his wife in the bathtub and then shot himself.

We're told Floyd thinks Earl Hayes' family deserves a proper funeral, despite the horrific thing he did.

TMZ broke the story ... Floyd was FaceTiming with Hayes earlier this month when the rapper snapped as they discussed how his wife, "Hit the Floor" star Stephanie Moseley was cheating on him. He went in the bathroom and pumped 10-12 shots as she lay in the tub. He then killed himself.

We don't know if Floyd foot the bill for Stephanie's funeral Friday in Canada. Floyd was urging Hayes to dump her just before he lost it.

Hayes' funeral is set for today.

The family of late Cardinals outfielder Oscar Taveras has some cash headed their way ... all thanks to a longtime fan who's auctioning off his treasured souvenirs.

Taveras got his first taste of the majors this season, but he made a huge impression on a Cards fan. TMZ Sports has learned the guy -- who wants to remain anonymous -- bought a bunch of Taveras memorabilia ... just one day before the 22-year-old died in a car accident.

We're told the items include -- Oscar's first home run ball, cleats from his first big league game, and a game worn post-season jersey ... all autographed and going up for auction.

We're told the fan decided to unload the merch through Goldin Auctions -- so he can donate all the profits to Oscar's family in the Dominican Republic. The auction will open on January 12th.