Joshua Morgan Hancock

Saturday afternoon he pitched well. He threw three innings giving up two hits (both singles) and a walk. He allowed on earned run in the seventh. The game was long gone before he hit the mound. Adam Wainwright had allowed six runs in a seven run fifth inning. The Cardinals were sunk after that.

Overall, Josh Hancock had a good outing. Unfortunately, it turned out to be his final one.

The twenty-nine year old was signed originally by the Boston Red Sox. After pitching in three games for Boston in 2002, he was sent to Philadelphia for Jeremy Giambi. In the year and a half he spent in the Phillies organization he appeared in a total of six major league games. During the 2004 season he was part of a four player deal that sent him to Cincinnati.

The Reds gave him a good shot. He earned five wins in nine starts during 2004. He spent most of 2005 on the disabled list. During September, in eleven games out of the pen he carried a 1.93 ERA. Still, the Reds released him in February of 2006. He no longer fit in their short or long range plans.

The St. Louis Cardinals signed him to a minor league contract three days after the Reds let him go. At spring training camp in Florida, he allowed only two runs in nine appearances for a 1.80 ERA. More impressive was that he struck out twelve while only walking one. He pitched well enough that spring to make the major league roster to stay.

2006 was a great year for Hancock, throwing in 62 games as a reliever. He finished with a 3-3 record and a 4.09 ERA. Not bad for a middle reliever. He appeared in three playoff games, but did not appear in any of the World Series games. There were no worries. He still had a long career ahead of him.

There was little doubt he would make the club in 2007. Saturday’s game marked his eighth appearance on the mound this year. He knew his role and continued to make the most of it.

Early this morning, it ended. Hancock’s Ford Explorer met a parked tow truck on the interstate shortly after midnight. Doctors theorize he died on impact. It was a two vehicle accident that left one person dead and harmed no one else.

Search the web. There are tons of remembrances that I will not re-quote here. Just remember the young man from Mississippi who patiently worked his way into the major leagues. As an old investment pitchman used to say, he did it the old-fashioned way. He earned it.

Make each pitch like it is your last pitch.
Take each swing like it is your last swing.
Enjoy each moment you spend on the field.
Make today the best day ever.

Joshua Morgan Hancock
1978 – 2007

Peace.