Josh Hancock (1978-2007)
St. Louis Cardinals relief pitcher Josh Hancock died early Sunday morning in a car crash in the city of St. Louis. Hancock was 29-years-old.  The Cardinals game against the Chicago Cubs scheduled for Sunday Night Baseball on ESPN has been canceled.

Cardinals relief pitcher Josh Hancock was killed early Sunday in an accident on Highway 40 (Interstate 64), just east of Compton Avenue, authorities said.

Hancock’s Ford Explorer slammed into the rear of a tow truck that was parked in the far left westbound lane shortly after 12:30 a.m.  The tow truck driver, who was seated in the vehicle at the time, was unhurt.

He told police that his emergency lights were on, and that he honked his horn when he saw the Explorer approaching in his rear view mirror, but that the Explorer didn’t slow down or swerve to avoid the collision.

At the time of the accident, the tow truck driver was assisting a motorist from an earlier accident.

Hancock, 29, was pronounced dead at the scene. The medical examiner’s office said Sunday morning that an autopsy had been scheduled.

Hancock’s passing is the second tragic death for the Cardinals organization in the last five years.  All-star Darryl Kile died in his sleep in Chicago before a game against the Cubs on June 22, 2002.
He helped Auburn University to the 1998 College World Series.  He was a native of Cleveland, Mississippi.

Hancock was a key member of the bullpen that helped the Cardinals win the World Series last season, leading the team’s relievers with 77 regular-season innings pitched.

Hancock pitched for four major league clubs. He went 3-3 in 62 regular-season appearances for the Cardinals last season and pitched in three postseason games. He was 0-1 with a 3.55 ERA in eight games this season after pitching three innings in Saturday’s game vs. the Cubs at Busch.

My all of our thoughts and prayers be with the Hancock family and Cardinals organization.

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