Former MLB Pitcher Tommy Hanson Dies At 29

It’s a sad day for baseball today as a promising young pitcher has lost his life and will never be able to get another shot on the pitching mound. Former Atlanta Braves/Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Tommy Hanson died yesterday at the age of 29. Hanson was rushed to an Atlanta hospital on Sunday when he suffered catastrophic organ failure when he was having trouble breathing and eventually went into a coma.

Hanson was destined to be one of the most prolific Braves pitchers to come out of the team’s farm system and he was lived up to this when he made his debut in 2009. With the Braves, he had a pitching record of 45-32 with a 3.61 ERA in 108 starts, with a rookie season of 11-4 with a 2.89 ERA and finishing third in NL rookie of the year voting. He was traded to the Angels in 2013 and dealt with both a concussion and shoulder injury during his time before leaving the majors with a final record of 49-35 record with a 3.80 ERA.

Today, John Schuerholz, Atlanta Braves President, released the following statement regarding Hanson’s passing, “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.”

Photo: NEW YORK, NY – SEPTEMBER 09: Tommy Hanson #48 of the Atlanta Braves pitches against the New York Mets at Citi Field on September 9, 2012 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Andy Marlin/Getty Images)