WOOD DALE, Ill., Dec. 26 (UPI) -- The son of longtime Illinois Congressman Henry Hyde, Hank Hyde, has died in Wood Dale, Ill., from liver cancer at age 55.
The aspiring baseball player was diagnosed 6 1/2 months ago and died Saturday with his father by his side, the Arlington Heights (Ill.) Daily Herald reported Monday.
The younger Hyde was drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates and spend four seasons as a starting pitcher for several minor league teams before suffering a career-ending arm injury.
He loved being a teammate of Hall of Famers Roberto Clemente and Willie Stargell and bragged that he once struck out home run king Hank Aaron in a spring training exhibition game, his brother, Tony, said.
The rabid Chicago sports fan worked as an auditor with the Illinois secretary of state.
Hyde is survived by his father, a sister, two brothers a daughter and and a son.
