Brody Stevens earned fame as a comedian and actor, but before he hit the standup circuit he was Steven Brody, pitcher, Arizona State.
He kept baseball in his life — which ended Friday in a reported suicide at age 48 — after switching to entertainment, and he used his diamond experiences to aid his performance.
"I think there is an overlap there, for sure. There is a body-language reading that needs to be done when you pitch. You look at the hitter’s eyes, or how they react to a certain pitch, and it’s a similar thing with an audience. It could be how are they sitting. How are they laughing? There are a lot of variables," he told the Arizona Republic in 2015.
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Stevens made friendships during his career with a number of baseball people — many of them had ties to his favorite team, the Cubs. Some of those people posted remembrances on social media after learning of his death:
I will never forget the time spent with Brody Stevens during my time in Chicago thx to Mike Borzello. Every conversation was memorable, he loved baseball, and watching him throw a bullpen during an early spring morning will always be a highlight for me..
— Jake Arrieta (@JArrieta34) February 23, 2019
One of my best friends is gone, @BrodyismeFriend i love you man. He always took the time to talk to me about baseball, comedy and life. A true friend.
— dan haren (@ithrow88) February 23, 2019
My college teammate, roommate, fellow @Cubs fan and, most importantly, my friend, killed himself today. Depression is real, and it is awful.
— Jim Henderson (@CubsLeg) February 22, 2019
Rest well. Your pain is gone @BrodyismeFriend https://t.co/MbyjkDS9NB
“Grab some wine, I’ll grab a box of cereal and let’s take a pic. It’ll be funny” @BrodyismeFriend He was great at making people laugh and loved to talk about baseball. The world lost a gem today. #RIPBrody #PositivePush pic.twitter.com/NYTfh3cup3
— Justin Turner (@redturn2) February 23, 2019
Going to truly miss seeing one of baseball’s biggest fan and all around good guy this Spring Training. Your comedy and positivity will truly be missed @BrodyismeFriend!!! #RIPBrodyStevens
— Kevin Youkilis (@GreekGodOfHops) February 23, 2019
I once played a baseball game with @BrodyismeFriend. He pitched 5 full innings that I caught for him. He had more passion for those 5 innings than any ball player could ever hope have in their entire career.
— Cody Decker (@Decker6) February 22, 2019
Oh no, my heart is just broken today. Brody Stevens was as kind a human being as I've ever met. What a tragic loss. Brilliant, funny, always made everybody feel good around him. RIP good friend.
— Len Kasper (@LenKasper) February 23, 2019
Brody Stevens had one hell of a throwing arm. Talk about destroying the myth that comedians can’t be athletic.
— Cameron Grant (@coolcam101) February 23, 2019
Rest In Peace
#RIPBrodyStevens pic.twitter.com/UXFCNKJeCS