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Former Atlanta Brave Tommy Hanson Died from Cocaine Use

The coroner ruled his death to be a result of "delayed complications of cocaine and alcohol toxicity."

Former Atlanta Braves pitcher Tommy Hanson's death was confirmed today to be a result of "delayed complications of cocaine and alcohol toxicity," according to WXIA-TV Atlanta. Coweta County Coroner Richard Hawk said that Hanson's death was caused by "illicit drug use," specifically cocaine, and was therefore ruled as accidental.

Hanson was found unresponsive on Sunday, November 8, in a Coweta County home where he had been staying for the weekend, and was taken to a nearby hospital. The next morning, he was transferred to Atlanta's Piedmont Hospital, where he slipped into a coma and later died, surrounded by his teammates.

Hanson was a 22nd-round pick for the Braves in 2005, and placed third in the 2009 National League Rookie of the Year voting. He was plagued by shoulder injuries in 2011 and was placed on a disability list. Hanson pitched his last MLB game for the Los Angeles Angels in 2013. He was 29 years old when he died.