Jake Peavy will start against Minnesota tonight with a heavy heart following the death Sunday of his longtime mentor and friend, San Diego Padres coach Darrel Akerfelds. Akerfelds, who just turned 50, lost his 16-month battle with pancreatic cancer on Sunday.
``He knew the percentages [against him] and what he was up against, but just the attitude he kept up,'' said Peavy, who held a fundraising raffle before the Cubs series to aid pancreatic cancer research.
``He was texting me from his deathbed, always encouraging me. He meant everything to me--a father, brother, mentor, friend. But he got to 50--his birthday was on the day we ended the raffle, and he was excited we did it in his honor.''