Hancock killed in SUV accident

ST. LOUIS -- The St. Louis Cardinals are mourning a teammate for the second time in five years, and it isn't any easier this time.

Josh Hancock, a relief pitcher who was drafted by the Red Sox 1998 and helped the Cardinals win the World Series last season, died early yesterday when his sport utility vehicle slammed into the back of a tow truck, bringing back painful memories of Darryl Kile's death in June 2002.

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

The Cardinals postponed their home game last night against the Chicago Cubs. La Russa informed Hancock's family of the accident early yesterday.

Police said the 29-year-old Hancock was alone in his 2007 Ford Explorer when the SUV struck the rear of a flatbed tow truck at 12:35 a.m. on Interstate 64/40 in St. Louis. The truck was in the left lane with its lights flashing while assisting another car that had crashed, St. Louis 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.

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."

The medical examiner's office said an autopsy had been scheduled. Services were planned for Thursday in Tupelo, Miss., where Hancock's family lives. Hancock was single.

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, who died of a coronary artery blockage.

General manager Walt Jocketty said the Cardinals, who are off Thursday, plan to charter a plane to the funeral. The team begins a three-game series in Milwaukee today and returns to St. Louis Friday.

Hancock, who pitched three innings of relief in Saturday's 8-1 loss to the Cubs, played for four major league clubs.

He joined the Cardinals in spring training last season after the Reds released him. He had been a starter with Cincinnati, but missed 133 games because of injuries. He pitched in three games for the Red Sox in 2002, and also did a stint with Philadelphia.