While the Oakland Athletics were celebrating their come-from-behind AL West Championship last week pitcher Pat Neshek couldn’t be further away from the joy being experienced by his teammates in the Bay Area.
Neshek and his wife had just lost their first and only son, Gehrig John Neshek, who was only 24-hours old with absolutely no indication anything was wrong.
Only three days after the birth and death of his son, Pat returned to the A’s joining them for the opening game of their ALDS matchup in Detroit even taking the mound in that first game with a memorial patch honouring his son on his sleeve.
“As soon as I got out there and started playing catch, it takes your mind off all the bad stuff, it’s a good way of healing. I don’t think we’ll ever get over it, but this is a good way to put the pieces back together.” – Pat Neshek
The patch is a simple black circle with the initials of Neshek’s infant son “GJN” in white. It appears on the right sleeve of all four team jerseys and will be worn by the club for the duration of the post-season.
Chris Creamer is the founder of SportsLogos.Net and has been maintaining it since June 1997. You can follow him on Twitter at @sportslogosnet or contact him via email at ccreamer@sportslogos.net
Delayed Penalty
Thursday, October 11, 2012 at 11:31A very classy move by the A's. Condolences to the Neshek family.
Troy Griggsby
Thursday, October 11, 2012 at 12:10I can't begin to fathom.
John Aiken
Thursday, October 11, 2012 at 12:13Losing a child so young myself. This is one huge class act by a organzation. Hard to root against the A's
Kristen Meyer-Creamer
Thursday, October 11, 2012 at 12:34Nice job A's - such a sad story, i can't even imagine losing a child
Daniel A. Dubay
Thursday, October 11, 2012 at 12:40v ery classy
Jed
Thursday, October 11, 2012 at 18:12Very touching sentiment to his son...hoping the A's beat the Tigers and this coming from an Angels fan.