NEW YORK - When Matt Joyce hit the second pitch of Saturday’s game out of the park, it was a special moment for many who know him and for a family in south Florida dealing with a tragedy.
Joyce’s closest friend, Geoff Strickland, lost his young son, Lane, to brain cancer on Saturday. The 4-year-old had been on life support after seizures caused by the cancer, and before the Mets series, Joyce had asked about the possibility of leaving the A’s to be with the Strickland family for a few days, but personal leaves are allowed only if a family member is involved.