Week 15: Andrew Heaney

Andrew Heaney showed what he's made of with just one pitch last week. This isn't about athletic ability although he certainly has plenty of that. What Heaney displayed was pure heart.

Heaney's teammate, fellow pitcher and friend, Tyler Skaggs died on Monday, July 1st. Heaney pitched for the first time after that on Saturday, July 6th. His first pitch was a slow curveball, Skaggs's signature pitch.



Prior to the pitch, Heaney had written "45", the number Skaggs wore, on the mound.
Skaggs always shaved clean as part of his pre-game ritual, and Heaney arrived on the mound that day without his usual scruff.

Andrew Heaney pitching earlier this month.

Andrew Heaney on the mound July 6th.

Tyler Skaggs, 1991–2019

I would like to join with the rest of the baseball world and send my condolences to Andrew Heaney and the entire Los Angeles Angels organization. Even as you mourn his loss, it is clear that you still carry a part of Tyler Skaggs with you onto the field.