A Death In The Cardinals Family

by Al Yellon on Apr 29, 2007 11:01 AM CDT in Chicago Cubs News

Those are the words that Joe Girardi used on June 22, 2002 when he had the duty to announce the death of Darryl Kile to the crowd assembled at Wrigley Field before that day's scheduled Cubs/Cardinals game.

Sadly and tragically, there is another such death to tell you about this morning -- Cardinals pitcher Josh Hancock was killed in a car accident last night.

Tonight's game, obviously of far less meaning than this tragic event, has been postponed.

I see a number of diaries have been posted on this topic -- I'm deleting them so we can concentrate discussion of this here on the main page. Thanks to all of you who posted information before I found it myself. There will be a press conference this afternoon at 3 pm CDT in St. Louis.

My condolences to Josh's family, his teammates, and all Cardinals fans. In times like this, we are not rivals -- we mourn as fellow baseball fans, and fellow human beings.

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RIP josh . . .

My condolences go out to his family, friends and fans . . read this article from few days ago . . . http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/sports/stories.nsf/cardinals/story/6DD32DFE615BEB86862572CA0013E95A ?OpenDocument

by CZ38 on Apr 29, 2007 11:10 AM CDT reply actions

creepy

by This is our year on Apr 29, 2007 4:07 PM CDT up reply actions

That certainly puts life in perspective, Al ...

And the game, and the reality: our time on this planet is far too brief.

Best wishes to the Hancock family and that of the entire Cardinals' organisation. Absolutely devastating news.

--t.

"No ballplayer's here because of the Mariners!" ~ Sam Malone

by Littlerock Rynofan on Apr 29, 2007 11:12 AM CDT reply actions

He just pitched yesterday.

That's scary.

Condolences to everyone that knew him or rooted for him.

"I don't talk. I just let what I do talk for myself." -Johan Santana

by sparkles721 on Apr 29, 2007 11:13 AM CDT reply actions

Deepest sympathy to Josh's family and the Cards

If you have MLB.TV I encourage you to take some time today to watch at least his final inning of work against the Cubs (top 8th) from yesterday.

He was perfect.

by jcg996 on Apr 29, 2007 11:16 AM CDT up reply actions

just sucks

never thought it could happento an athlete. especially since he was on his way home from the game. my condolences

by NDcubsfan on Apr 29, 2007 11:18 AM CDT reply actions

sorry

he wasn't going home from the game, but i know a kid who hit a parked truck on a highway. 3 kids in the car with him died, he didn't but he's paralyzed

by NDcubsfan on Apr 29, 2007 11:25 AM CDT up reply actions

Unbelievably sad...

My condolences to his family and the entire Cards family.

I agree with you Al - really puts baseball/rivalries into perspective.

by ar_hawkins on Apr 29, 2007 11:19 AM CDT reply actions

Very, very sad...

when these things happen, we realize how insignificant baseball actually is... these sort of things transcend rivalries and our little sport...

RIP J. Hancock

ZAMBRANO!

by KChiCubs on Apr 29, 2007 11:30 AM CDT reply actions

Reminds Of A Story Told On Air The Other Night

I think it was Kasper and Brenly who were commenting on new Cards pitcher Kelvin Jimenez. They said that hours before the game, as it was Jiminez's first night in the majors and so with the Cards, the rest of the relievers brought him out to the bullpen and made him stand on a three foot high wall. He was told to turn around with his back facing the rest of them, and then fall backwards, trusting them to catch him. I presume Hancock was among them. Say what we do about the Cards, but I thought that was a yet another good way to get a bond among teammates. Now that Hancock has died, you can probably only imagine their grief.

Santo Forever!

by BeerCub on Apr 29, 2007 11:38 AM CDT reply actions

They also added ...

How Rocky Cherry had been "forced" by his teammates to carry the candy bag to the Cubs' bullpen on Friday night ... and there it was, all pink and girly, complete with baby bottle on the outside.

We like to look at baseball teams too often as a bunch of over-paid individuals ... but the two examples given by Brenly show them to be very much a family ... or a fraternity ...

"No ballplayer's here because of the Mariners!" ~ Sam Malone

by Littlerock Rynofan on Apr 29, 2007 4:27 PM CDT up reply actions

My condolences...

to the Hancock family and all who knew Josh.

"You can fail twice in three tries and still lead the league."

by DanP on Apr 29, 2007 11:39 AM CDT reply actions

Needless to say ...

This is not the way the Cubbies want to sweep a series ... sad. Very sad.

"No ballplayer's here because of the Mariners!" ~ Sam Malone

by Littlerock Rynofan on Apr 29, 2007 11:49 AM CDT reply actions

How sad.

My thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends and team. Life is so precious.

TheEman is jealous of my sigs.

by sue369 on Apr 29, 2007 11:50 AM CDT reply actions

If you want to reach out to the Cards fans . . .

with your condolences, there is a diary where you could do that at Viva El Birdos.

by dfrancon on Apr 29, 2007 12:03 PM CDT reply actions

It was a shock to hear this sad news this morning

Condolences to the Hancock family, his friends and the Cardinals team.

by JFCubFan on Apr 29, 2007 12:07 PM CDT reply actions

damn...

And things grind to a halt in remembrance. RIP Josh.

Go Cubs. There. Original enough for ya??

by Floyd on Apr 29, 2007 12:08 PM CDT reply actions

Very sad.

It's hard to imagine this kind of thing happening again before a Cub/Cardinal game, but alas it has. My condolences to the Hancock family and the Cardinal ballclub. Sad, sad news.

by cubby23 on Apr 29, 2007 12:09 PM CDT reply actions

We were gonna sweep 'em too

Lose some momentum but life intervenes with sport sometimes. Too bad.

Cubs sked getting a little stacked; wonder if this affects when they call up/start Guzman?

Sorry for Hancock and the Cards family, but gotta suspect he had been drinking after reading details of accident...doesn't make much sense.

Sorry if seem unsympathetic was lookin forward to tonite's game.

by writerinwrigley on Apr 29, 2007 12:10 PM CDT reply actions

a sad event

i feel terrible for everyone close to this. what a bummer.

with all the scheduled days off, i don't think the cubs need a fifth starter till may 11th or 12th......

by anormal on Apr 29, 2007 12:42 PM CDT up reply actions

What?

What "details" are you referring to?

Yes, that's right. Anyone driving after 9PM must be drunk and therefore, deserves to die.

You are a callous idiot. Don't worry, Chief, the Cubbies will be on tomorrow. We wouldn't want to disrupt your schedule.

by salparadise23 on Apr 29, 2007 2:00 PM CDT up reply actions

Whoa there......

....while on the surface his comments might have been a bit too soon and insensitive, it's probably what more than a few people are thinking. Reports are that Hancock slammed into the back of a parked tow truck on the freeway. The tow truck had its flashing lights on and the tow truck operator tried honking his horn to get Hancock's attention.

Santo Forever!

by BeerCub on Apr 29, 2007 2:04 PM CDT up reply actions

Or perhaps,

he fell asleep. I'm guessing you hadn't thought about that. Regardless, grow up.

Just because I have a short attention span doesn't mean...

by eamuscatuli1881 on Apr 29, 2007 2:54 PM CDT up reply actions

Or could have been messing with

his CD player or making a call on a cell phone. Not really the right time to be speculating.

by LT on Apr 29, 2007 6:38 PM CDT up reply actions

Wow!

"Let's get on to all of the cold cases across the country, well but then I might not be able to watch the Cubs on TV...hmm...too bad my mad solving skills result in such a dilemma, oh well life gets in the way, gotta get some Pizza--Skoal!" (By the way, that's how your comments come across to many readers here in case you are wondering.)

Maybe he was and maybe YOU have to suspect as well, but there are several other possible explanations none of which are flattering, obviously, but since YOU really don't have any details that shed light as to the actual cause YOU may want to refrain from such comments.

Not every thought that comes to mind needs to be expressed to others...

by DudeVf11 on Apr 29, 2007 3:22 PM CDT up reply actions

While its

human and normal to wonder why things like this happen, and to try to offer answers through speculation, please realize that such speculation could cause others grief. Many fans, even though they don't know the players personally, grieve deeply at their loss.

In addition, such speculation is entirely unnecessary. In all likelihood, official reports filed about the accident will be made public, so we'll probably know the whys of it at some point. In the future, please consider waiting until such reports are issued to avoid causing pain to those who are still in shock over this, or similar, incidents.

by helen on Apr 29, 2007 4:45 PM CDT up reply actions

writerin wrigley

you qualify as a pathetic jerk.

by cubswin on Apr 29, 2007 7:23 PM CDT up reply actions

A great tragedy

This is an awful tragedy and my condolences go out to Josh's family in Mississippi. From accounts I've seen today, they do not know what happened and may never know. It's very possible he had a heart attack or even a stroke that caused him to swerve or that he fell asleep behind the wheel.

by No Southern Belle on Apr 29, 2007 8:36 PM CDT up reply actions

hmm

I don't believe I can ever acknowledge another one of your posts with any level of respect.

MARQUIS! YES, MARQUIS!

by thekansasian on Apr 29, 2007 11:34 PM CDT up reply actions

I'm not sure what to say now...

This is an awful tragedy and yet someone has found a way to be selfish, thoughtless, and uncaring.

Seriously? You seriously decided to post your thoughts after having what musyt have been a few minutes to think them over?

This is so offensive and if I were family, friend, or just Cards fan, I would think extremely poorly of Cub fans...all because of one person.

I hope that anyone else reading sees that this person stands alone and that most of us here were more shocked and saddened rather than disappointed by the game being ppd.

My thoughts go out to all who knew or loved the man...RIP.

Got Hebrew National?

by Kinky Reggae on Apr 30, 2007 8:19 AM CDT up reply actions

God has him in his hands now

by miamicanes on Apr 29, 2007 12:33 PM CDT reply actions

Perspective.

We love to bitch, whine and moan about players, managers, etc. But when something like this happens, it really puts life into perspective. This is just a game and life is way more important.

My thoughts and prayers are with the Hancock family.

"Now up to bat for the Mets...Mackey Sasser. For all you kids out there, that's RASSASS spelled backwords!" Harry Carry

by ilovepie on Apr 29, 2007 12:35 PM CDT reply actions

RIP

and the stupid thing is that there are a bunch of idiots calling into the score calling the cards sissys for cancelling the game

by tbizzle83 on Apr 29, 2007 1:00 PM CDT reply actions

Sports talk radio will kill you

by slowly killing 3% of your brain cells every year from having to listen to that type of abject stupidity.

I have been off sports radio for 28 months now. I did it cold turkey; all I listen to is maybe the fifteen minutes of pregame, the game, and five minutes of postgame. When it goes back to the studio, I'm done.

by Invalid User on Apr 29, 2007 1:06 PM CDT up reply actions

sheesh...

those callers need to stfu... they are heartless...

ZAMBRANO!

by KChiCubs on Apr 29, 2007 1:23 PM CDT up reply actions

Ofman and The other one

Ofman and Jessie I forgot his last name now handled it very well though.

I was at that game in 2002. The "L" has never been quieter.

If your Dad buys part of the team do you get to shower with the players?

by kerrysotherwife on Apr 29, 2007 8:47 PM CDT up reply actions

hyea`

they got into screaming matches with a couple of them too.

by tbizzle83 on Apr 30, 2007 9:30 AM CDT up reply actions

Sadness... and empathy...

Twice in the last five years the university athletics department I work at has lost a basketball player to a car accident. My thoughts go out to the Cardinals family, not merely for his teammates, but for all those people who worked with him behind the scenes. Suddenly I find myself thinking a great deal of Kellen Dixon and Mark Hall.

Tell me Gerald, what is this "walk" you speak of?

by Ross on Apr 29, 2007 1:05 PM CDT reply actions

I can empathasize...

The school I work at lost 2 teachers and 2 former students just in this past school year alone. That and what happened in St. Louis really makes you put things in perspective and makes you really appreciate life. My condolences to the entire St. Louis Cardinals family.

by augie90 on Apr 29, 2007 3:55 PM CDT up reply actions

Sad

Hancock was one of those guys who bounce around from organization to organization and the majors to the minors, trying to establish himself. He finally found a home in the Cardinal bullpen and looked like he was in the majors to stay.

My condolences to his family, his friends and the Cardinals. I'll point out that he was a college teammate of Tim Hudson's as well.

by Josh Timmers on Apr 29, 2007 1:22 PM CDT reply actions

We just think

that the Cubs are cursed.

Sometimes I think that the Cardinals have a much worse sort of a curse.

My condolences and prayers for all whose lives were touched by Josh Hancock. May he rest in peace, and may the Cardinals find strength in one another on this tragic occasion.

"I lof to hit de home ron."

by Tekboy on Apr 29, 2007 1:43 PM CDT reply actions

It's in times like this

that baseball and rivalries become irrelevant. While we as Cubs fans want the Cards to lose, that is only in a baseball sense. No one ever wants to hear about this sort of thing happening. My condolences to not only Hancock's family, but to his friends, teammates and the entire Cardinal's organization.

RIP, Josh Hancock.

MCDONOUGH!

by secdelahc on Apr 29, 2007 1:49 PM CDT reply actions

It's good that they postponed the game

Not only for the Cardinals but also for the Cubs. His teammates were obviously going to be distracted and not interested in playing a game today, and from the Cubs point of view, they just faced the guy a few hours earlier and now he's passed away. It wouldn't have been a good idea for either team to try and play today.

It's tough for me to feel bad for the Cardinals but I certainly do now. Not only have they lost an important part of their bullpen but also someone who was their friend. It really does change their whole season.

by pageian on Apr 29, 2007 2:46 PM CDT reply actions

What kind of impact should this have..

..on the Cardinals? It is a devistating loss. Will they rebound and have a good season for his sake or will this be a distraction?

I guess the only thign that matters is that a life was taken too early..

by Chanman25 on Apr 29, 2007 3:16 PM CDT reply actions

Of course it's the right idea

to postpone the game. Anybody who doesn't think so is a heartless human being. (I almost said something else, but I'm holding back)

Baseball is played every damn day now. Do something else, will ya?

by San Diego Smooth Jazz Man on Apr 29, 2007 3:16 PM CDT reply actions

its only a sport..

..go to the movies, go outside (its nice out!), watch NBA playoffs..

It is just one game and it probably won't matter ten years down the road if you look back on this game being postponed.

Its a time to mourn for Cardinals players and fans..

by Chanman25 on Apr 29, 2007 3:28 PM CDT up reply actions

huh?

who wanted a game played? Seriously. I haven't heard anybody disappointed for there being a cancellation.

by jdoolsiu on Apr 29, 2007 5:50 PM CDT up reply actions

Earlier posts

related that callers to SportsTalk radio didn't seem to understand why the game had to be cancelled.

by San Diego Smooth Jazz Man on Apr 29, 2007 7:23 PM CDT up reply actions

That's just appalling.

Again, sports talk radio can bring out the worst in people -- one reason why I almost never listen to it.

Glad there are good people here who have expressed thoughts that I know most, if not all, of us are feeling.

The Cardinals have to travel to Milwaukee for a game tomorrow -- now that will be a tough thing for them to do. Here's hoping the Brewer fans will be classy and that the organization will give some sort of tribute to Josh Hancock before tomorrow's game at Miller Park.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al Yellon on Apr 29, 2007 9:01 PM CDT up reply actions

Condolences to Josh's family, friends

and to the entire Cardinal family.

"Our country is the only one in the world with a national anthem that the last two words are "Play Ball!" -Anonymous

by Jettero2112 on Apr 29, 2007 4:55 PM CDT reply actions

RIP

i guess the only good thing that could ever come outta this is a reminder. a reminder to love and appreciate the time you get with your loved ones. none of us know when our time will be. ive been a little lazy and not going to see my grandparents. i will be there next weekend. man i cant believe this. my thoughts and prayers will include the hancock family for a very long time.

Here comes the nasty leftie to shut it down in the 9th......Clay Rapada!!!!

by cubsluver22 on Apr 29, 2007 8:44 PM CDT reply actions

Well put.

Thank you. This is exactly right, on all counts.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al Yellon on Apr 29, 2007 9:01 PM CDT up reply actions

This is going to sound corny and mushy

So please forgive me.

But this really puts all our petty stupid fights and I have been the pettiest and stupidest at times into perspective.

It's a game. Life's too short to get into silly arguments because we don't know about tomorrow.

I had the Score on and was at work this morning and the shock in Ofman and Jessie's voices was audible.

What did Payton say "Tomorrow is promised to no one".

If your Dad buys part of the team do you get to shower with the players?

by kerrysotherwife on Apr 29, 2007 8:50 PM CDT reply actions

When compared ...

To Josh Hancock's tragedy, both Prior and Woody are on a pleasure cruise, comparatively speaking. Death--especially one that is entirely unexpected--has a tendency to put everything into its proper perspective.

Let's all try to remember that.

"No ballplayer's here because of the Mariners!" ~ Sam Malone

by Littlerock Rynofan on Apr 29, 2007 9:01 PM CDT up reply actions

A heartfelt thank you from me...

... to all of you who took the time and effort to post a note of condolence over at Viva El Birdos.

Your kindness has not gone unnoticed, either by me, or by many Cardinal fans who post over there.

Thank you, all of you.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al Yellon on Apr 29, 2007 9:12 PM CDT reply actions

condolencses to the Hancock family

very tragic event, makes you put life into perspective a little bit more. By the way does anyone know what the rotation will now be with todays postponement, where will Hill pitch next?

by CubsBall2202 on Apr 29, 2007 9:52 PM CDT reply actions

Hill, Lily and Marquis

I saw elsewhere they will skip the 5th starter on Tuesday.

If your Dad buys part of the team do you get to shower with the players?

by kerrysotherwife on Apr 29, 2007 9:58 PM CDT up reply actions

On a much lighter note,

the Bulls swept the Heat. Hopefully that makes some people here smile a little bit today from the grief-stricken event that transpired this morning.

"You can say what you want about [Prior], but when he got on the mound, he was a bulldog. A bulldog." - Paul Bako

by NittanyCub on Apr 29, 2007 10:52 PM CDT reply actions

Excellent tribute

I saw this on youtube. A Cubs fan put it together. Done very well to the Sarah McLaughlin song "Angel"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RFA1Sgu_hRU

If your Dad buys part of the team do you get to shower with the players?

by kerrysotherwife on Apr 30, 2007 6:51 AM CDT reply actions

It does not seem like enough to say . . .

but I wish this had not happened. A young, healthy life, an important part of a band of friends, lost forever. It is sad.

Every response I have seems like a cliche, and I admit that it feels strange to react with such sadness about the loss of a man I did not know (especially given how much tragedy goes on without my noticing -- so many other young lives lost in violence or illness).

Regardless, I sincerely hope that the Cardinals and the Hancock family will recover from their grief.

by Nuke LaLoosh on Apr 30, 2007 10:35 AM CDT reply actions

Thanks everbody

I've lurked for a long time (I'm a Cards fan) but wanted to sign up so I could say thanks to everyone for their thoughts. I can't believe they have to play a game tonight.

by Alxfritz on Apr 30, 2007 11:14 AM CDT reply actions

I remember...

... being at the game the Sunday night after Darryl Kile's passing. It was an eerie feeling; the Cubs didn't play any music during the game on the PA system, in order to be respectful of the Cardinals and their fans and Kile's family. They kept his #57 on the message board the whole game.

But it still felt strange. I imagine it'll be an odd feeling for anyone attending their game in Milwaukee tonight. I hope the Brewers will make a tribute to Josh Hancock; that'd be a nice gesture.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al Yellon on Apr 30, 2007 1:24 PM CDT up reply actions

Brewers

After the response the Brewers and their fans gave the Indians and Angels earlier this year, I have no doubt they'll do an excellent job.

"Don't think; it can only hurt the ball club."

by Jesse Guam on Apr 30, 2007 1:54 PM CDT up reply actions

The Brewers/Cardinals game...

... is on ESPN tonight at 6 pm CT, for anyone interested.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al Yellon on Apr 30, 2007 1:58 PM CDT up reply actions

Absolutely

I was really, really impressed with the Brewers fans during that Indians/Angels series. From what I've seen of the Brewers and their fans, you're right, they'll do something appropriate.

by helen on Apr 30, 2007 3:10 PM CDT up reply actions

Very sad

I'm back in St. Louis this morning (I travel down here near weekly for work). Drove by Busch Stadium. Puts everything into perspective.

I've always respected Tony LaRussa. After reading his comments about this latest tragedy impacting the Cardinals, I respect him even more. LaRussa is the one who contact Hancock's family to inform them of his death.

The Cub offense - "I'll never be your feast or famine..."

by BlueMike on Apr 30, 2007 11:15 AM CDT reply actions