This is a bad week for former pitchers in their 50s. First Frank Wills, now Kevin Hickey:

A Chicago native, Hickey didn’t play high school baseball. But after competing in 16-inch softball and semipro baseball, he was invited to a Comiskey Park tryout and offered a minor league contract. He pitched three minor league seasons before making his major league debut.

He had been the White Sox’s pregame instructor since 2004.

Hickey’s best year came in 1982 when he posted a 3.00 ERA in 60 appearances. He was a high walk, low strikeout pitcher, but managed to give up nineteen fewer hits than innings pitched in his career.

My thoughts go out to his family and friends.