What a moment. #TeamGretchen pic.twitter.com/f80X5hqBax
— Oakland Athletics ??⚾️ (@Athletics) May 16, 2018
As he trotted toward home plate, Oakland Athletics outfielder Stephen Piscotty tapped his chest and looked up at the sky. The gesture was a tribute to his mother, Gretchen Piscotty, who passed away on May 6 after battling ALS for nearly one year.
Tuesday was the first time Piscotty, who missed four games on the bereavement list, had played since his mother’s funeral.
In Piscotty’s first at-bat, he homered over the Green Monster in Boston’s Fenway Park. After he crossed home plate, Piscotty trotted to the dugout, where teammates showered him with cheers and high fives.
Piscotty’s close relationship with Gretchen has been chronicled throughout recent weeks. In his first game after Gretchen’s death last Wednesday, Piscotty received a standing ovation from the Oakland crowd, which lasted for nearly a minute prior to his at-bat. Piscotty fought back tears as he tapped his chest and waved to the crowd in appreciation.
He returned to the Athletics lineup Tuesday in the most memorable fashion.
