OAKLAND -- The words did not escape Stephen Piscotty in this moment. It would have been understandable if they had, given the circumstances. But the A's outfielder, sprinkled with questions by a crowd of mostly strangers hovering over him in the home dugout Wednesday morning, channeled the bravery mom Gretchen so strongly radiated during her yearlong battle with ALS and wholeheartedly embraced the opportunity to talk about her.
For nearly nine minutes, he spoke with such grace, revealing an impassioned gratitude from the depths of heartbreak.
It was his third day without mom.