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Former Braves pitcher Tommy Hanson died of overdose, sheriff's report says

ATLANTA — Channel 2 Action News has learned former Altanta Braves pitcher Tommy Hanson, 29, has died.

Channel 2 Sports Director Zach Klein obtained the initial incident report from the Coweta County Sheriff's Office that listed Hanson had overdosed.

https://twitter.com/ZachKleinWSB/status/664219843160367104

An official cause of death has yet to come from the coroner.

Klein broke the news Monday that Hanson was in a coma after being moved to Atlanta's Piedmont Hospital late Monday morning due to catastrophic organ failure.
 
Hanson was moved to Piedmont so doctors could run a variety of tests to determine why his organs failed.

Source told Klein that Hanson's problems started early Sunday morning and Hanson was then rushed to a nearby hospital after he started having trouble breathing.

https://twitter.com/ZachKleinWSB/status/663947845834137600

John Schuerholz, Atlanta Braves President released a statement on behalf of the entire Braves organization Tuesday:

“We are incredibly saddened to learn of Tommy's tragic passing.  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.”

The 6-foot-6 redhead was known for his affable personality, and was one of the most popular Braves among teammates and fans during his years with the team. “Big Red” was 45-32 with a 3.61 ERA in 108 starts for the Braves, with at least 10 wins in each of his four seasons with them.

Shortstop Andrelton Simmons, a rookie in Hanson’s final season with the Braves, tweeted just before 1 a.m. Tuesday: “Very sad to hear about Tommy Hanson. Wish his family and close friends a lot of strength. He was a really nice dude.”

Hanson made his Braves debut in 2009. He had a 49-35 record and 3.80 ERA in 123 games (121 starts) over five major league seasons, the first four of those with the Braves. Shoulder problems and a concussion stalled his career, and he last pitched in the majors in 2013 with the Los Angeles Angels after being traded by the Braves in December 2012.

https://twitter.com/Braves/status/663965871338057728

The Angels tweeted, “Send our thoughts for former (angels) starting pitcher Tommy Hanson at this time."

Born in Tulsa, Okla., Hanson was raised in California and graduated from Redlands East Valley High School in 2004. He was a 22nd-round draft pick by the Braves in 2005 out of Riverside (Calif.) Community College.