ST. LOUIS -- Josh Hancock, a key member of the bullpen that helped the St. Louis Cardinals win the World Series last season, was killed in a vehicle crash early Sunday, the team said.
Police said Hancock was alone in his 2007 Ford Explorer when he struck the rear of a tow truck at 12:35 a.m. The truck was in the left lane assisting another vehicle that was involved in a prior accident, officer Pete Mutter said.
Hancock was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the tow truck was not injured.
The Cardinals said they were told of the 29-year-old reliever's death by the St. Louis Police Department. Manager Tony La Russa notified Hancock's father of the tragic event.
The team's home game against the Chicago Cubs scheduled for Sunday night was postponed.
The reliever pitched for four major league clubs. He went 3-3 in 62 regular-season appearances for the Cardinals last season and pitched in three postseason games. He was 0-1 with a 3.55 ERA in eight games this season.
Hancock joined the Cardinals before the 2006 season. He has pitched for Boston, Philadelphia and Cincinnati.
Hancock's death is the second of a Cardinals player in less than five years. Pitcher Darryl Kile was found dead in a Chicago hotel room in June 2002. The 33-year-old Kile died of a coronary artery blockage