Former MLB pitcher Tommy Hanson fell into a coma after suffering catastrophic organ failure and died late Monday, Nov. 9. Georgia's authorities continue to investigate the cause of death.
According to a report from Atlanta-Journal Constitution, Hanson was found not breathing in his friend's home in Newnan-area on early Sunday morning. Brandon Bond called 911 to report the incident. While the officials did not disclose specific details about the cause of Hanson's death, one probable cause was said to be "overdose."
The 29-year-old former pitcher died Monday night at Atlanta Piedmont Hospital. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation conducted an autopsy on Tuesday, but since a toxicology result takes several weeks, the cause and manner of death is still under investigation.
"It's sort of like a jigsaw puzzle, and you've got to have all of the pieces together to make a determination," said Coweta County coroner Richard Hawk.
Hanson's death triggered heavy emotions from the American baseball community, especially his former teammates from the Atlanta Braves.
Hanson pitched for the Atlanta Braves for four seasons, finishing third in the National League Rookie of the year in 2009. He was traded to the Los Angeles Angels in 2012 after suffering shoulder injuries. Hanson had a career record of 49-35 with a 3.80 E.R.A. in 123 games in four seasons with the Atlanta Braves and one with the Los Angeles Angels, wrote The New York Times.
The former MLB pitcher was being remembered as loyal and kind. Steve Hernandez, Hanson's high school coach in Southern California, said that Hanson was so important to their community. "It's always nice to have a big leaguer from your program - especially a big leaguer - willing talk to the players and communicate with him," said Hernandez.
His former team mate David Ross remembered getting a Christmas card from Hanson and his friends. "It was the three of them posing in matching 1940 sweaters on a Christmas card they had made at Sears," Ross said. "Still, to this day, it puts a smile on my face when I think about it."
