Upland, California — Famed former major league pitcher and Christian radio host Frank Pastore has passed away, according to confirmed reports.
Pastore had been involved in a motorcycle accident on November 19th on the 420 freeway in Duarte, California, and had been in a coma for nearly a month. He was headed home after finishing his radio broadcast at the KKLA studios.
According to reports, just hours before the incident, Pastore, 55, had made a comment that it was possible that he could be killed in a motorcycle accident on the highway.
“You guys know I ride a motorcycle, right? At any moment, especially with the idiot people who cross the diamond lane into my lane, without any blinkers – not that I’m angry about it – at any minute, I could be spread all over the 210,” he said. “But that’s not me. That’s my body parts.”
It was the same day that a Hyundai Sonata merged into Pastore’s lane as he was headed home and collided with his motorcycle. He suffered significant head injuries and was listed in critical condition.
The 55-year-old woman driving the vehicle has not been charged in the incident, and the matter has been ruled purely accidental.
“I just lost my beautiful husband,” Pastore’s wife Gina told the Inland Valley Daily Bulletin Monday. “But it’s comforting to know he’s home with the Lord now.”
She explained that a number of listeners have been contacting the radio station where Pastore hosted The Frank Pastore Show to express their condolences.
“People are calling in and crying and mourning with us,” she said. “I want to thank so many people for their outpouring of love and support. That’s really helped to sustain our family during this difficult time.”
In addition to being the host of one of the largest Christian talk shows in America, Pastore was known as being a baseball great. In 1975, he was drafted by the Cincinnati Reds for the amateur draft. Four years later, he began pitching in the major leagues and had a record of 13-7 in 1980.
Pastore also pitched for a time for the Minnesota Twins, the Texas Rangers and the Oklahoma City 89ers.
After leaving baseball, he began to study business and theology, and later went on to host his own radio show beginning in 2004. The Frank Pastore Show has grown to become among the most popular in America.
Funeral services for Pastore are now being planned.
“Frank was all about the Gospel,” his wife Gina said. “I just pray God will continue to use his legacy.”