Gretchen Piscotty, mother of A's outfielder Stephen Piscotty, has died.
Stephen, who grew up in Pleasanton, Calif., and attended Stanford, was a member of the St. Louis Cardinals when Gretchen was diagnosed with Lou Gehrig's disease, also known as ALS, last May. The Cardinals took things beyond baseball this offseason by facilitating a trade with the A's to allow Stephen the opportunity to be closer with his mother as she battled the disease.
Gretchen died Sunday night. She was 55. She is also survived by her husband Michael and sons Nick and Austin.
"The Athletics organization extends its deepest condolences to the Piscotty family on the loss of Gretchen," Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations Billy Beane said in a statement. "She was a devoted wife and mother, whose legacy will live on through her husband, Mike, and their sons Stephen, Austin and Nick."
Piscotty and the Oakland A's Community Fund have set up an online fundraiser, with contributions going to the ALS Therapy Development Institute. Donations can be made at youcaring.com/piscotty. The A's will match up to $50,000 of the money donated as they look to reach a goal of $100,000.
