RIP Brad Halsey

I just found out that former Yankees pitcher Brad Halsey died at the age of 33. That's so sad. He hadn't pitched in majors since 2006, but I have a fond memory of him.

Halsey's first career start on June 19, 2004 was against the Dodgers. He went 5.2 innings and picked up the W, his only win with the Yankees. That game stands out to me because I remember where I was. I was in the car listening on the radio, driving back to my hometown from Connecticut.

You see, my sister, her husband, and my niece had been living in CT for a few years. We were heartbroken when they moved away, but his job required him to spend a couple of years there. Although just a 3-hour drive, it was the first time anyone in my immediate family had moved away. We only say them a couple of weekends per year after living just a few minutes from them.

However, after their three year stint (may have actually been four years), my brother-in-law landed a job back in our hometown, and the family moved back. We headed to CT early that morning to help them pack the U-Haul (they lived in a small apartment, wasn't a big move), and that afternoon, I drove one of their cars back to my hometown, bringing my little brother and my niece along with me. My sister drove their other car, and my dad and brother-in-law drove the moving truck.

I remember listening to the game as we drove, although I'm sure my little brother and niece would have preferred music. I remember listening to John Sterling talk about how young Halsey looked (he did have a baby face), but also how poised he was on the mound.

That offseason, he was sent to Arizona in the Randy Johnson deal. He played one season for them, and then one in Oakland. Since then, he has bounced around the minors and independent league ball.

RIP, Brad.