Former MLB pitcher Tommy Hanson died on Monday, Nov. 9, the Atlanta Braves confirmed. The athlete was 29 at the time of his death.
Braves president John Schuerholz released a statement on behalf of the team, which selected the right-hander in the 2005 draft.
“We are incredibly saddened to learn of Tommy’s tragic passing,” Schuerholz said. “He was a favorite in the clubhouse and with our staff and he will truly be missed by everyone in Braves Country. Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife, family, former teammates, and friends.”
MLB.com reports that a group of Hanson’s former teammates were close by when he passed away at Piedmont Hospital in Atlanta, Ga. He had been rushed to the hospital on Sunday morning after struggling to breathe. Local ABC station WSB-TV had several sources reporting that Hanson suffered “catastrophic organ failure” and was in a coma when he died.
Hanson pitched in the major leagues for five seasons — four for the Atlanta Braves and one for the Los Angeles Angels after being traded in 2013. He also briefly played with the Texas Rangers, Chicago White Sox, and San Francisco Giants.
