Toronto Blue Jays reliever Braydon Fisher was placed on bereavement leave after his father, Norman, died on Monday at age 65 after suffering a stroke. The elder Fisher was en route to check into his hotel in San Francisco, where the Blue Jays were about to begin a three-game series against the Giants.
Family Tragedy Strikes
Norman Fisher's sudden death came as the Fisher family had traveled from their home in Texas to the Bay Area to watch their son play. Braydon Fisher rejoined his teammates for Wednesday's series rubber match but will not be activated until Friday's game in San Diego against the Padres.
According to Fisher, speaking to reporters at Oracle Park before first pitch, his father served as an officer in the U.S. Air Force. Fisher described his dad as his biggest fan who “never had a bad day.”
“The last two days have been the hardest days of my life and my family’s life,” Fisher said. “I just wanted to come back and be with the guys.”
“He was always happy, always cheerful, willing to help anybody,” Fisher added.
Fisher's Season Performance
This season, Fisher has posted a record of 3-3 with one save and a 3.33 ERA, striking out 46 batters in 46 innings. During his rookie season last year, he went 7-0 with a 2.70 ERA over 50 innings while striking out 62.
The Blue Jays placed Fisher on the bereavement list to allow him time with his family following the tragedy. The team's decision was widely supported as the only appropriate course of action.
