Hinch reaches out to Gibson after Parkinson's diagnosis

SAN DIEGO -- Astros manager A.J. Hinch said he reached out to Kirk Gibson earlier this week following Gibson's diagnosis of Parkinson's disease. Gibson was Hinch's bench coach when he took over the manager's job with the D-backs in 2009.

"Knowing Gibby, he will fight the fight as hard and as good as anybody," Hinch said. "It's a really sad day to hear about the struggles that are ahead for him."

Gibson, who succeeded Hinch as Arizona's manager in 2010, revealed his diagnosis Tuesday in a statement released through Fox Sports Detroit, which hired him this spring as an analyst. Gibson managed the D-backs for five seasons.

"I reached out to him via text and sent him well wishes," Hinch said. "I didn't expect to hear back from him, and I haven't. I know a ton of baseball people are doing the same. He'll be in our thoughts and prayers.

"Certainly, there are a lot of people around the world that suffer from this. You hate to see anybody go through it."

Gibson was one of several future managers Hinch had on his staff during his short time managing the D-backs, including Bo Porter, Matt Williams, Chip Hale and Bryan Price.

Parkinson's is a degenerative neurological disorder that affects one in 100 people over age 60, but it can be diagnosed in people as young as 18, according to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research. Various estimates tab anywhere from 500,000 to a million people in the United States affected by the disease. Its symptoms include shaking, stiffness, and difficulty with balance and coordination.