Posted on 10/10/2004 10:05:02 PM PDT by pete anderson
Former Astro Ken Caminiti dead Associated Press
NEW YORK -- Ken Caminiti, the 1996 National League MVP who admitted using steroids during his major league career, has died at age 41.
Caminiti died of a heart attack in the Bronx, said his agent-lawyer Rick Licht. The city medical examiner's office said an autopsy would be performed Monday, spokeswoman Ellen Borakove said.
Awful.
Ken Caminiti, 1996 NL MVP, dies at age 41
http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news;_ylc=X3oDMTBpNWZic251BF9TAzI1NjY0ODI1BHNlYwN0aA--?slug=ap-obit-caminiti&prov=ap&type=lgns
By BEN WALKER, AP Baseball Writer
October 11, 2004
NEW YORK (AP) -- Ken Caminiti, the 1996 National League MVP who later admitted using steroids during his major league career, died Sunday. He was 41.
Caminiti died of a heart attack in the Bronx, said his agent-lawyer Rick Licht. The city medical examiner's office said an autopsy would be performed Monday, spokeswoman Ellen Borakove said.
``I'm still in shock,'' San Diego Padres general manager Kevin Towers said. ``He was one of my favorite all-time players.''
The three-time All-Star third baseman often was in trouble the last few years. His 15-year big league career ended in 2001, five seasons after he led the Padres to a division title and was a unanimous pick for MVP.
Just last Tuesday, he admitted in a Houston court that he violated his probation by testing positive for cocaine last month, and was sentenced to 180 days in jail.
But state District Judge William Harmon gave Caminiti credit for the 189 days he already served in jail and a treatment facility since he was sentenced to three years probation for a cocaine arrest in March 2001.
In May 2002, Caminiti told Sports Illustrated that he used steroids during his MVP season, when he hit a career-high .326 with 40 home runs and 130 RBIs. He estimated half the players in the big leagues were also using them.
Caminiti returned to baseball this year as a spring training instructor with San Diego.
``When I saw him in spring training, he didn't look good,'' Towers said. ``I'm not surprised.''
``The best way to describe him is that he was a warrior in every sense of the word. I can't tell you how many times I remember him hobbling into the manager's office, barely able to walk, and saying, `Put me in the lineup.'''
Licht said Caminiti was in New York this past weekend to help a friend, but did not go into detail.
``Man, that's just a tough one. I played with him for eight years,'' Dodgers outfielder Steve Finley said Sunday night, learning of Caminiti's death after St. Louis eliminated Los Angeles from the playoffs.
``He was a great player, but he got mixed up in the wrong things -- taking drugs. It's a sad reminder of how bad drugs are and what they can do to your body. It's a loss all of us will feel.''
Caminiti batted .272 with 239 homers and 983 RBIs with Houston, San Diego, Texas and Atlanta.
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RIP
Either I'm getting old or sentimental..or both, but that is a loss.
Double sad night with Caminiti and Christopher Reeve passing away.
I'm sure cocaine is involved somehow
Damn is right. There was a piece in the Chronicle about him just last week that he was getting his drug problems behind him. I wonder if he OD'd? Sad situation.:-(
Sorry to hear this. I remember him with the Astros when I was younger.
sad to see it, if so, but it has happened before, and will probably again.
to those of us who love sports and revel in the adventures of those who make the big time, this especially hurts to see so much talent and remaining potential gone at such a young age.
Damn, just really sad, another All Time Astro Dies.
"I'm sure cocaine is involved somehow"
Don't rule out the significant long-term damage done by steroids. Your liver especially, can be forever wrecked, which over time impacts everything.
Obviously a troubled fellow, but a joy to wacth playing the game of baseball. What a shame.
Sad
I became a baseball fan as an 8 year old, watching the 1996 Padres. Damn is right. I don't know what to say. He sort of self destructed in a way that was painful to hear about. Just a sad story.
Don't know about the South Bronx. Never been there and have no intention of going. Autopsy tomorrow. Will polypharmacea be mentioned? Who knows at this point...
What?!? I'm still reeling over Reeve's death and now this. I am a big Astros fan. Damn! I think I need to go to bed now.
I had a good friend who used steroids back in the early 80s. He competed in body-building contests had his heart attack at age 25, and went on to urinate blood for three years after that...
Who know what damage Caminiti sustained between the 'roids AND the coke.
It's a shame.
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