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Cardinals pitcher Josh Hancock killed in car smash

Josh Hancock, a relief pitcher who helped the St Louis Cardinals win the World Series last season, died on Sunday when his sport utility vehicle slammed into the back of a tow truck.

The Cardinals postponed their home game on Sunday against the Chicago Cubs. It was the second time in less than five years that a St Louis pitcher died during the season. Darryl Kile was found dead in his hotel room in 2002.

"There's a big hole that's going to be there," Cardinals manager Tony La Russa said. "This is brutal to go through."

Police said Hancock, who was single, was alone in his Ford Explorer when the SUV struck the rear of a flatbed tow truck. The tow truck was in the left lane with its lights flashing while assisting another car that had crashed, Police Chief Joe Mokwa said.

Hancock died upon impact, Mokwa said. The driver of the tow truck, whose name was not released by police, was in the truck at the time of the crash but was not injured. Mokwa said the truck driver saw Hancock's SUV swerve just before it hit the tow truck, which weighs about 11,800kg.

Mokwa said it appeared Hancock was driving at or just above the speed limit, and there were no alcohol containers in his vehicle.

"We may never know what occurred," Mokwa said. "It appears that he just merely didn't see the tow truck."

Autopsy

The medical examiner's office said an autopsy had been scheduled.

"All of baseball today mourns the tragic and untimely death of St Louis pitcher Josh Hancock," Major League Baseball commissioner Bud Selig said. "He was a fine young pitcher who played an important role on last year's World Series championship team."

The Cardinals will wear patches with Hancock's No. 32 on their sleeves for the rest of the season. The team also planned a memorial for the bullpen, which already features a tribute to Kile.

Bruce Evans, the baseball coach at Vestavia Hills High School, coached the junior varsity team while Hancock was pitching the varsity to three consecutive state titles from 1994-96. Evans said Hancock was a free spirit whose days and nights revolved around baseball.

Dedicated

"He loved baseball and he was very dedicated to it," Evans said. "The kids that played on the team with Josh, they loved him."

Hancock, 29, was a useful reliever for St. Louis last year, going 3-3 with a 4.09 ERA in 62 games.

La Russa praised Hancock, who was 0-1 with a 3.55 ERA this season, for handling "mop-up" situations, in which the Cardinals were trailing by several runs, without complaint. In fact, Hancock's final appearance was a three-inning stint in an 8-1 loss to the Cubs on Saturday.

"You saw it yesterday," La Russa said.

Hancock played for four teams in parts of six seasons, so he had former teammates sprinkled throughout the major leagues. Those who talked about Hancock remembered him as quiet and dedicated.
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