Pat Neshek Pitches for A’s Three Days After Newborn Son’s Death

Pat Neshek was back on the mound just three days after the tragic passing of his newborn son.

Neshek came in for the A's in relief and pitched 2/3 of an inning of hitless baseball with one strikeout in the seventh inning in Game 1 of the ALDS against Detroit.

Neshek's son, Gehrig John, was born on Oct. 2 and died suddenly just 23 hours later. The cause of death is still unknown.

Neshek was named to the playoff roster despite the tragedy. He told the San Francisco Chronicle that it was his wife Stephanee's idea to keep pitching.

"As soon as I got out there and started playing catch, it takes your
mind off all the bad stuff," said Neshek. "It's a good way
of healing."

The team is wearing a patch to honor his late son.