Former MLB pitcher Tommy Hanson has died, the Atlanta Braves confirmed late Monday night.
Hanson pitched five seasons in the major leagues, four with the Braves and one with the Los Angeles Angels in 2013 following a trade. He was 29.
RIP, Tommy pic.twitter.com/SXUq1NNTyQ
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) November 10, 2015Braves president John Schuerholz released a statement Tuesday morning.
"We are incredibly saddened to learn of Tommy's tragic passing," Schuerholz said. "He was a favorite in our 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."
A group of Hanson's former teammates was nearby when he died at Piedmont Hospital in Atlanta, a Braves representative told MLB.com.
Teammates and other players took to Twitter to grieve the loss:
My heart is broken today. Tommy Hanson was a great teammate, friend and pitcher. We all loved and pulled for him. We ALL will miss him. #RIP
— Chipper Jones (@RealCJ10) November 10, 2015
Very sad to hear about Tommy Hanson. Wish his family and close friends a lot of strength. He was a really nice dude. :/
— Andrelton Simmons (@Andrelton) November 10, 2015Thoughts and prayers to the family of Tommy Hanson. Great guy and competitor. RIP
— Josh Reddick (@RealJoshReddick) November 10, 2015Thoughts and prayers to the family of Tommy Hanson. Great guy and competitor. RIP
— Josh Reddick (@RealJoshReddick) November 10, 2015Hanson had been in a coma, according to multiple reports.
A source told WSB-TV, the ABC affiliate in Atlanta, that Hanson had trouble breathing early Sunday morning and was taken to a hospital. He suffered catastrophic organ failure, multiple sources told the TV station.
Hanson was selected by the Braves in the 22nd round of the 2005 draft and was once considered the top prospect in the organization.
However, after posting a 2.89 ERA over 21 starts in his rookie season of 2009, Hanson slipped each season thereafter. He saw a gradual decline in his velocity and dealt with shoulder issues that kept him on the disabled list in 2011.
He made multiple comeback attempts, with the Texas Rangers, Chicago White Sox and San Francisco Giants, but never caught on with a team.
He was 49-35 with a 3.80 ERA for his career.
Information from ESPN.com's Doug Padilla was used in this report.
