Chicago White Sox batting practice pitcher Kevin Hickey was found unresponsive in his hotel room on April 5 prior to the team's opening day game vs. the Texas Rangers, and today he passed away at the age of 56.

Our hearts are heavy as we mourn the loss of our teammate and colleague Kevin Hickey.RIP Kevin

— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) May 16, 2012

Hickey was a one-time softball and semi-pro baseball player in the 1970s in Chicago when he was offered a contract by the the White Sox after the team held an open tryout at Comiskey Park. He would go on to pitch three seasons for the Southsiders from 1981-1983 before returning to the majors with the Baltimore Orioles, where he would pitch for three more seasons from 1989-1991.

Hickey posted a career ERA of 3.91 in 232.2 innings pitched in his career, picking up nine wins and 17 saves.

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