The absolute most horrible thing for a parent is losing a child in their lifetime.  All parents want their kids to outlive them, as is the way it is in a perfect world.  When someone loses a child before their time, it is a gut wrenching experience to which the question "why" is often applied.  If the death is from illness, it eases the pain knowing that the child has gone on to a better place.  But if it is a sudden death, people grieve so deeply that perhaps they literally lose their common sense.

This brings us to Dean Hancock, the father of the late St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Josh Hancock.  Josh Hancock, as you no doubt know, was killed April 29th when the SUV he was driving crashed into the back of a tow truck on I-40 in St. Louis.  Toxicology tests determined that Josh Hancock had twice the legal limit for driving in his blood stream.  They found a glass hookah pipe in the back of his vehicle.  They determined he was talking a cell phone when he hit the tow truck.  At least on the surface, it would be logical to conclude that Josh Hancock was drunk and not playing attention at the time of his death and is therefore responsible for it.

But Dean Hancock (and the apparently opportunistic attorney that he hired) have a different story.  They are suing Mike Shannon's restaurant (and Shannon and his daughter) saying Hancock was fed continuous drinks over a 3½ hour period.  They are suing the tow truck company for not quickly assisting the stranded motorist and clearing him off the road.  They are suing the driver of the car that needed the tow truck because they claim that the driver neglected to take good care of his care and thus stalled out on the freeway requiring a tow truck which caused a lane blockage in which Josh Hancock crashed in to.  

Although this sounds totally idiotic, it probably will net Mr. Hancock a nice payday.  Insurance will probably handle the settlement of this quickly and quietly.  It is amazing to me that you can reduce the death of your son to a payday.  Has the Hancock family been hurt by Josh's sudden death?  Certainly.  Are there people other than Josh Hancock who are responsible for his death?  Absolutely not.

It was no secret that Josh Hancock was a party boy.  Days earlier, he was late to the ballpark sleeping off a hangover.  His manager, Tony LaRussa, asked him if he needed help and did he have a problem?  Hancock said no and refused.  A couple days later, Josh Hancock was dead.

It astounds me that anyone else could be to blame besides Josh Hancock.  And, it astounds me further that a father would risk his son's reputation as a baseball player to extract just to use his death like a lottery ticket.  When this case comes to trial (if it's not settled by nervous insurance companies) testimony will be given that will be incredibly uncomfortable and incredibly unpleasant.  Teammates, friends, coaches will all testify that Josh liked to have a good time, that he may have in fact had some issues with having too good a time.  And if a jury decides that Josh Hancock is solely to blame, then his name gets dragged through the mud for nothing but the opportunity for his father to get rich.

If Dean Hancock was truly hurt by his son's death, he'd do public service announcements for MADD, talking about even the families of baseball players are not immune to losing someone in a drunk driving accident.  He would tell people if he had talked to his son prior to him leaving Mike Shannon's he would have told Josh to get a cab. But in what others see as tragic loss, Dean Hancock, deeply in denial and grief, sees opportunity.

No one can bring Josh Hancock back.  The ill gotten gain his family will realize will not bring them closure or comfort.  It will only bring them more misery and more pain.  As Bruce Hornsby reminded us "the lawyers clean up all details since Daddy had to lie."

Lightning Round

• The White Sox are still leaving too many men on base in critical situations.  When you do that against Tampa Bay, it becomes a big problem.  If you allow Jamie Shields to shut you down, imagine what Johan Santana or C.C. Sabathia can do to you. BTW Ozzie, screw the sentiment and get Buehrle of the game BEFORE he throws the three-run jack. At least they won.  The same two teams tonight if the weather holds out.
  
• This just in.  Lou Piniella found catatonic in a corner sucking his thumb.
• Looks like a really good owner is going to leave the NHL.  What this means for the Nashville franchise, no one knows, but at least all the employees will get Blackberrys out of the deal.
• Drew Rosenhaus spins like Demi Moore in "Ghost" trying to explain that Clinton Portis was misquoted.
• Billy Donovan wants to sign an extension soon.  In related news, the Orlando Magic is now looking for a head coach.
• Jesse Palmer: Rex Grossman beore Rex Grossman was cool.
• Keyshawn Johnson has retired and is now working for ESPN.  His next book will be entitled, "Just give me the damn mike."
• Oprah's father is writing a book about her.  Oprah is surprised by all this and according to reports a bit fearful.  Three words girlfriend: Buy him off.
• President Bush was recently caught driving around without a seat belt.  I'm sure 'click it or ticket" applies to him.
• While Fred Thompson has not announced he is going to run for President, his hat is at the dry cleaners being cleaned so it looks nice when he throws it in the ring.
• John Wayne would have turned 100 last week.  "The Quiet Man" is one of the most under rated movies of all-time and in my Top 5.  It's also one of the few where the Duke doesn't play a soldier or cowboy.
  
• A judge is about to throw out a lawsuit in which Carol Burnett is suing the TV Show "Family Guy" for portraying her cleaning lady character in a takeoff of her show.  In honor of this, we bring you everything Chris Griffin