Joe Hesketh is a former Major League Baseball pitcher who played for several teams during his career. He was born on February 15, 1959, in Lackawanna, New York, and attended Louisiana State University, where he played college baseball.
Hesketh was drafted by the Montreal Expos in the second round of the 1979 MLB draft and made his debut with the team in 1984. He spent six seasons with the Expos, primarily as a relief pitcher, before being traded to the Boston Red Sox in 1990.
With the Red Sox, Hesketh had one of his best seasons in 1991, posting a 12-4 record with a 3.78 ERA in 30 games (25 starts). He also pitched in the postseason that year, starting Game 1 of the American League Championship Series against the Oakland Athletics. However, he struggled in that game, giving up six runs in just 2.2 innings, and the Red Sox went on to lose the series.
After two seasons with the Red Sox, Hesketh signed as a free agent with the Texas Rangers in 1992. He spent one season with the Rangers before being traded to the Detroit Tigers in 1993. He finished his career with the Baltimore Orioles in 1994, appearing in just six games before being released.
Overall, Hesketh had a solid career as a pitcher, finishing with a record of 60-59 and a 4.15 ERA in 277 games (135 starts). He was known for his control on the mound, as he walked just 2.5 batters per nine innings over his career.
After retiring from baseball, Hesketh worked as a pitching coach for several minor league teams, including the Lowell Spinners (a Class A affiliate of the Red Sox) and the New Hampshire Fisher Cats (a Double-A affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays). He also served as a scout for the Blue Jays and worked as a broadcaster for the Expos.
In addition to his baseball career, Hesketh is also known for his charitable work. He founded the Joe Hesketh Foundation, which provides financial assistance to families with children who have life-threatening illnesses. The foundation has raised over $1 million since its inception in 1992.
Overall, Joe Hesketh had a successful career as a pitcher in Major League Baseball, and has continued to make a positive impact through his charitable work off the field.
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