Former major leaguer Kevin Hickey dead at 56

CHICAGO (AP) - Kevin Hickey, who pitched in six major league seasons with the White Sox and the Baltimore Orioles before taking a coaching job with Chicago, has died. He was 56.
 
The team said Hickey died Wednesday at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago. He had been in intensive care following his transfer from a Dallas hospital last month after missing the team's workout before Opening Day. A cause of death was not disclosed.
 
He had been the White Sox's pre-game instructor since 2004. Hickey, a left-hander, pitched with the White Sox from 1981-83 and the Orioles from 1989-91, compiling a 9-14 record, 3.91 ERA and 17 saves in 231 relief appearances.
 
A Chicago native, Hickey didn't play high school baseball. But after competing in 16-inch softball and semipro baseball, he was invited to a Comiskey Park tryout and offered a minor-league contract. He pitched three minor league seasons before making his major league debut.