Only five Oakland A’s players have had their uniform numbers retired by the team, and one of them is Hall of Fame closer Dennis Eckersley. His unique career featured stunning highs and crushing lows, and in between the good times he became well acquainted with adversity. The same was true in his personal life.
A new MLB Network documentary airing on Thursday (5 p.m. PT) takes a closer look at Eck’s life both on and off the field. Eck: A Story of Saving covers baseball topics including his early days as a starter, his transition to an all-time great reliever, and the infamous Kirk Gibson homer, but also peeks behind the curtain at his marital drama and his struggles with alcohol.