Hancock’s family’s lawsuits only add to tragedy
By The Heckler
Baseball Big Mouth
baseball news
As the saying goes, the apple doesn’t fall too far from the tree. And in the case of the surviving family of former St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Josh Hancock, that tree is apparently rooted knee-deep in refusing to accept responsibility for one’s actions.
Josh Hancock learned that lesson in the most-tragic of fashions when his drunken drag race down Interstate 64 in St. Louis (all the while not wearing a seatbelt, while also talking on his cell phone, with marijuana and a pipe close at hand) ended with him plowing into the back of a stopped tow truck. A tough lesson to learn, no doubt – but now what has the family of the late Hancock done in order to move on from the horrific chapter in their lives? Why, sue, of course – and sue everybody.
News of Dean Hancock, father of Josh, filing suit against not only the bar that Josh allegedly was “fed” drinks long-after the point of intoxication (former Cardinal Mike Shannon’s Restaurant) but also, get this – the towing company, the tow truck driver, as well as (I couldn’t make this up) the driver of the vehicle that stalled on the highway and had to be towed away – is easily one of the most ridiculous example of litigation gone wild that seemingly permeates much of the American legal system.
Imagine the nerve of someone daring to stall their vehicle? Get outta the way already! Drunk ballplayer coming through!
Thus far, Major League Baseball and the St. Louis Cardinals have not been named as defendants – but why stop there, Dean? Why not sue the company that made the alcohol? What about the guys who drove the trucks that delivered it to the bar? How about the company that manufactured the pipe your son had on him the night he died? What about Cheech and Chong for perpetuating a drug culture with their litany of movies? Keep it going, man!
Or – better yet – get a grip with the full grasp of the situation (as difficult as that may be) and accept the fact that your son has no one to blame in this whole incident but himself. His blood-alcohol limit was nearly twice the legal limit for that state, and marijuana was also found in the car. He knew full-well what he was doing. He was a grown man who decided to get behind that wheel after drinking, not put a seat belt on, begin a conversation on his phone, speed down a highway in his rented vehicle and – without regard to anyone else who, thankfully, didn’t die along with him – looked at the possible ramifications of his actions and laughed. Further, evidence shows that he didn’t even try to stop.
Dean Hancock said that the “facts and circumstances” of his son’s death have understandably, “caused great pain to all of Josh’s family.” Further, that as the administrator of his son’s estate, he is obligated to represent the family on al issues, “including any legal actions necessary against those who contributed to the untimely and unnecessary death.”
Sounds like you’re talking about your son, Dean – and, last time I checked - dead men can’t defend themselves in frivolous lawsuits. Let Josh rest in peace. Don’t compound the situation by pointing the finger of blame anywhere but where it belongs: directly at Josh Hancock.
May 25th, 2007 at 11:22 am
Cannot believe the crassness of this family in filing this suit. The St. Louis media and the Cardinals team have downplayed Josh’s responsibility for this out of respect for a deceased teammate. To blame Shannon’s Restaurant for this is ridiculous and it will quickly neutralize all those warm fuzzy feelings of everyone. The fact is that Josh had an ongoing, verifiable overuse/abuse of alcohol. Apparently marijuana, too. You could find probably 50 bar-owners/bartenders locally to attest to the fact that he REGULARLY got drunk and somewhat out of control. To start a suit like this shows only greed and a lack of class. I never met Josh, but all who have liked him and have fond memories of him. He didn’t seem to be the class of person who would pull something like this. Maybe is was his obviously much lower class family that he was drinking to try and forget.
May 25th, 2007 at 12:22 pm
The sad thing is that — in all likelihood – the family will win some sort of monetary reward from at least the bar. As ridiculous as that sounds, there is legal precedent for it. Thank God he didn’t kill anyone else.
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