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Father: Webb's work ethic blazed path to Chicago White Sox

It has been a difficult time for Champ Webb.

On Feb. 27, 2014, his wife, Sandra, passed away unexpectedly at 54.

In the Chicago White Sox's spring-training camp at the time, relief pitcher Daniel Webb had his sights set on winning a spot on the 25-man roster before heading home to Paducah, Kentucky, for his mother's funeral.

Webb, who made his major-league debut with the Sox the year before, returned to camp and did make the roster. He pitched for the White Sox from 2013-16 and was 7-5 with a 4.50 ERA in 94 appearances.

On Oct. 14, Daniel Webb was killed in an ATV accident in Humphreys County, Tennessee. He was 28.

According to local police, Webb died of a broken neck after the ATV hit an object in the woods. Three others were injured in the accident, including Webb's wife.

Speaking to WPSD-TV in Paducah last week after his son's funeral, Champ Webb praised Daniel's work ethic.

"If you worked as hard as Daniel Webb worked, first one on the field, last one to leave, you will get to the next level, in any profession," Champ Webb said. "He never quit working. His talent never got better, God graced him with an enormous amount of talent, and he was also the first to thank God.

"But, at the same time, how many people with more talent than him never made it to the show?

"First one there, he never quit. It was the man he was. He wouldn't have made it to the big leagues if he hadn't been the man that he is, that he was."

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