November 23, 200718 yr ESPN.com Major league pitcher Joe Kennedy died early Friday morning while at home with his family in Florida, agent Damon Lapa confirmed to ESPN.com. The cause of Kennedy's death could not immediately be determined, Lapa said. Kennedy, 28, compiled a 43-61 record in seven major league seasons with the Tampa Bay Rays, Colorado Rockies, Oakland Athletics, Arizona Diamondbacks and Toronto Blue Jays. A left-hander, Kennedy broke into the majors in 2001 with the Devil Rays. In three full seasons with Tampa Bay he made 72 starts, compiling an 18-31 record. Since 2004, Kennedy had two stints each with Colorado and Oakland. He started the 2007 season with Oakland, was claimed off waivers in August by Arizona, then designated for assignment before being signed by the Blue Jays on Aug. 29. Kennedy had a career 4.79 ERA, pitching 908 2/3 innings over 222 career appearances. He made his last appearance in relief on Sept. 29 in a 5-3 win over Tampa Bay. "The entire Oakland's A's organization sends our thoughts out to Joe's family," said Oakland assistant general manager David Forst. "He was a valued member of our organization for almost two years, and certainly a guy we loved having around.'' Kennedy was married with a one-year old son.
November 23, 200718 yr WOW...Incredible. Thoughts and prayers go out to the Kennedy family. What a way to ruin Thanksgiving....
November 23, 200718 yr I feel so sorry for his son, having to grow up without knowing his dad. RIP Joe
November 23, 200718 yr Damn... not just so young, but apparently collapsing at home in front of his family. Incredible trauma. :confused
November 23, 200718 yr Wow. I always hate to hear these things, especially at such a young age. RIP Joe
November 24, 200718 yr I was at his last appearance with the D-Backs. Sat behind the bullpen and gave him a hard time while he was warming up.
November 24, 200718 yr Sat behind the bullpen and gave him a hard time while he was warming up. Now you got to live with that in your mind your whole life.
November 24, 200718 yr Sat behind the bullpen and gave him a hard time while he was warming up. Now you got to live with that in your mind your whole life. Actually... ...no I don't.
November 24, 200718 yr Condolences to his family. I read somewhere that his wife is expecting their second child. RIP
November 24, 200718 yr Condolences to his family. I read somewhere that his wife is expecting their second child. RIP And they already had a one year old son.
November 25, 200718 yr I really never saw him pitch, heard of him, but never really noticed him, but I hope he rests in peace.
January 15, 200818 yr BUMP The cause of death was released today. The autopsy revealed Joe had a cardiac condition... Kennedy autopsy shows heart disease Degeneration of mitral valve led to pitcher's death By Mychael Urban / MLB.com OAKLAND -- Former A's pitcher Joe Kennedy, who passed away at his in-laws' home near Tampa, Fla., in the early-morning hours the day after Thanksgiving, died of hypertensive heart disease, according to the Hillsborough County (Fla.) medical examiner's department. The medical examiner's department told the San Francisco Chronicle on Monday that while the toxicology report on Kennedy was pending, the left-hander's death has been categorized as being from natural causes, as degeneration of his heart's mitral valve had been detected. ... More here: Pirates.com
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.