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Tommy Hanson

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For other people named Thomas Hanson, seeThomas Hanson (disambiguation).

Tommy Hanson
Hanson with the Atlanta Braves in 2009
Pitcher
Born:(1986-08-28)August 28, 1986
Tulsa, Oklahoma,U.S.
Died:November 9, 2015(2015-11-09)(aged 29)
Atlanta, Georgia,U.S.
Batted:Right
Threw:Right
MLB debut
June 7, 2009, for the Atlanta Braves
Last MLB appearance
September 28, 2013, for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
MLB statistics
Win–loss record49–35
Earned run average3.80
Strikeouts648
Teams

Thomas J. Hanson Jr.(August 28, 1986 – November 9, 2015) was an Americanprofessional baseballpitcherinMajor League Baseball(MLB). He played for theAtlanta BravesandLos Angeles Angels of Anaheim.Hanson made his MLB debut with Atlanta on June 7, 2009, and played with the Braves through 2012. He pitched his final Major League season in 2013 with the Angels, who had acquired him in a trade. He died aged 29 from organ failure following "complications of cocaine and alcohol toxicity".

Early life

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Hanson was born on August 28, 1986, inTulsa, Oklahomaas the second child and only son in his family.[1][2]After moving to California at a very young age, Hanson attendedRedlands East Valley High SchoolinRedlands, California,where he played baseball.[3]Hanson played catcher as a freshman, and first base the next year. He was placed on the mound in his junior season, and committed toSacramento State Universityas a senior.[4]Hanson graduated in June 2004, instead electing to continue his post-secondary education atRiverside City College.[5]He played for theCorvallis Knightsin theWest Coast League,an independent summer collegiate baseball league.[6]In 2005, he was selected in the 22nd round (677th overall pick) by the Atlanta Braves as adraft-and-followpick.[7]

Minor league career

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The following year, in 2006, Hanson began playing for theDanville Bravesof theAppalachian League.In Danville, he began the season as the league's fourth-best prospect according toBaseball America.That season, Hanson ended up starting Game 2 of the Appalachian League Championship Series,[8]finishing the season 4–1 with 56 strikeouts against nine walks.[9][self-published source]He also had a 2.09earned run average(ERA) with a 0.99walks plus hits per inning pitched(WHIP) ratio.[10]

2007

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Before the 2007 season began, Hanson was named the best pitching prospect in theSouth Atlantic Leagueand the ninth-best prospect in the Braves system.[11]Hanson began the 2007 season in Class A, playing for theRome Braves.With Rome, Hanson amassed a 2–6 record with a 2.59 ERA in 14 starts (and one relief appearance). Midway through the season, Hanson was called up to theMyrtle Beach Pelicans,also a Class A team for the Atlanta Braves. He ended up finishing the season at 3–3 with a 4.20 ERA in 11 starts.

2008

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Hanson began the year in Myrtle Beach. In his first start, Hanson pitched five no-hit innings and recorded a then career-best 13 strikeouts (later broken in Double-A that year).[12]Over his seven starts with the Pelicans, he allowed 15 hits in 40 innings. That stat, along with his 3–1 record and 0.90 ERA, earned him a promotion to the Braves' Double-A affiliate, theMississippi Braves.At Mississippi, Hanson threw a no-hitter in his ninth start while also setting a new career high for strikeouts with 14.[13]Hanson finished the 2008 season with Mississippi. He finished 8–4 with a 3.03 ERA in 18 starts. Following the Minor League season, Hanson won the MiLBY for Class A Advanced Single Game Performance. He won this award for his performance with theMyrtle Beach Pelicans.[14]Hanson was named the Atlanta Braves Pitcher of the Year and was also placed on Baseball America's Minor League Team of the Year.[15]Hanson was invited to theArizona Fall Leagueto showcase his pitching. He compiled a 5–0 record with a 0.63 ERA while racking up 49 strikeouts in 28.2 innings. Hanson was named the Arizona Fall League's MVP, the first pitcher to receive this award.[10]He was also ranked #24 on MLB.com's Postseason Top 50 Prospects list prior to the 2009 season.[16]

2009

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In the 2008 offseason, the Atlanta Braves were one of multiple teams that were interested in trading forSan Diego PadrespitcherJake Peavy.Hanson's name was mentioned throughout the proceedings, but a trade for Peavy did not take place.[17][18]He was considered byBaseball Americato be the top prospect in the Braves' farm system heading into the 2009 season.[19]Hanson began the 2009 season with the Braves' Triple-A affiliate, theGwinnett Braves.[10]

Major league career

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Atlanta Braves

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2009

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Hanson was called up by the Atlanta Braves on June 3, 2009 after the team cutTom Glavine.[20]He made his debut on June 7 against theMilwaukee Brewers,pitching 6innings,striking out 5, giving up 6earned runs,3home runs,and receiving ano decision.[21]He gave up two home runs toRyan Braun,the first being the initial hit allowed in Hanson's major league career.[21]

Hanson with the Braves in 2009.

On June 12, Hanson earned his first win against theBaltimore Orioles.[22]On June 28, he threw six scoreless innings against theBoston Red Sox,allowing just 2 hits and 2 walks to improve his career major league record to 4–0 and lowered hisERAto 2.48.[23]In his first 4 major league victories, his combined ERA was 0.78. At one point in the season he had thrown 20 consecutive shutout innings and also became the first National League rookie pitcher to win consecutive starts against the Yankees and the Red Sox.[24]For his efforts, Hanson was named June's NLRookie of the Month.[25]He was sent down to Single A Myrtle Beach on July 10,[26]and recalled to start an 11–3 win against theSan Francisco Giantson July 21.[27]Hanson's first loss came against the team against which he debuted, the Milwaukee Brewers, on July 25.[28]He began another scoreless innings streak of nineteen on September 10, with eight against the Houston Astros,[29]followed by seven against the New York Mets,[30]before losing 4–2 to the Philadelphia Phillies on September 20.[31][32]Hanson finished third in voting for theNational League Rookie of the Yearaward.[33]

2010

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Hanson finished the 2010 campaign with a 10–11 record, 3.33 ERA, and 1.17 WHIP. He set a career-high in innings-pitched with 202.2, surrendering 182 hits while striking out 173 batters and walking 56.[34]

2011

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Hanson(right)withBrian McCann

On June 12, Hanson set a new career high of 14 strikeouts in a game against theHouston Astros,which matched the most strikeouts recorded by a pitcher atMinute Maid Park.[35]The pitcher who initially set the record of 14 strikeouts at Minute Maid Park wasBud Norris.[36]At the All-Star break, Hanson led the league in opponents' batting average (.190), was fourth in ERA (2.44), third inK/9(9.5), second in WHIP (1.016), and tied for third in wins (10). Nonetheless, Hanson was not selected to the National League All-Star team.

2012

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In spring training, Hanson worked with team therapist Troy Jones and pitching coachRoger McDowellto eliminate an odd pause at the top of his pitching motion. The change was intended to lessen the injury risk to his shoulder.[37]He was named the Braves'Opening Daystarter that season.[38]On July 31, Hanson was placed on the disabled list with a lower back strain.[39]Hanson finished 2012 with a 13–10 record and 161 strikeouts.[40]

Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

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Hanson was traded to the Angels in exchange for pitcherJordan Waldenon November 30, 2012.[41]He played one season with the Angels, recording a 4–3 record with a 5.42 ERA in 15 appearances (13 starts) in2013.He took a six-day bereavement leave in April after the death of his stepbrother. After returning and making two starts, he was granted a three-week personal leave to deal with what he described as his "mental issues with the death".[5][42]After the season, Hanson was non-tendered by the Angels, making him a free agent.[43]

Later career

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On February 11, 2014, Hanson agreed to a major league contract with theTexas Rangers.[44][45]He was released on March 26.[46]

On April 7, 2014, Hanson agreed to a minor league contract with theChicago White Sox.[47]He spent the season with theCharlotte Knights,who placed him on the DL on June 12 due to a shoulder injury, which caused him to miss the rest of the season.[48]

Hanson agreed to a minor league contract with theSan Francisco Giantson May 13, 2015.[48]He was assigned to theSan Jose Giantsand was promoted to theSacramento River Catson July 5. He made eleven starts for Sacramento during the remainder of the season, pitching to a 3-5 record and a 5.60 ERA.[49]

Pitching style

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Hanson threw three main pitches: afour-seam fastballat 89–92 mph, asliderat 78–82 mph, and acurveballat 71–73 mph. He occasionally threw atwo-seam fastballandchangeup,mainly to left-handed hitters. His slider was his most common 2-strike pitch to right-handers, and was responsible for a plurality of his strikeouts. His curve had the highestwhiff rate,at 38% over his career.[50]

Personal life and death

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Hanson married his wife, Martha, in November 2013.[51]

On November 8, 2015, Hanson was found unresponsive at the home of an acquaintance nearNewnan, Georgia.[51][52]He was taken toPiedmont Hospitalin Atlanta, where he was reported to be comatose and in a state of "catastrophicorgan failure".He died the following day, aged 29.[52]An autopsy report concluded that Hanson died from "delayed complications ofcocaineand alcohol toxicity ", and his death was ruled an accident.[53]

See also

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References

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  1. ^Rasmussen, Patty (September 2, 2009)."ChopTalk: Talking with Tommy Hanson".MLB.com.Archived fromthe originalon August 25, 2017.RetrievedJuly 31,2010.
  2. ^Glier, Ray (November 11, 2015)."Tommy Hanson, remembered as 'kind and loyal,' possibly died from overdose".USA Today.RetrievedNovember 13,2015.
  3. ^"High school coach mourns former Braves pitcher Tommy Hanson".11 Alive. November 10, 2015.RetrievedNovember 13,2015.
  4. ^Goff, Brian (November 10, 2015)."Tommy Hanson, former Redlands East Valley baseball star dies at 29".Redlands Daily Facts.RetrievedNovember 13,2015.
  5. ^abWhicker, Mark (November 10, 2015)."Tommy Hanson was haunted to the end by family loss".Los Angeles Daily News.Archivedfrom the original on November 14, 2015.RetrievedNovember 13,2015.
  6. ^"Ex-Knight Tommy Hanson of Atlanta Beats Orioles".Corvallis Knights. June 13, 2009.RetrievedNovember 13,2015.
  7. ^"2005 First-Year Player Draft Tracker".Major League Baseball.RetrievedDecember 26,2008.
  8. ^Jimenez, Marc (September 3, 2006)."Twins rally to even Appy Finals".MILB.com.RetrievedNovember 14,2015.
  9. ^LaMountain, Allen (2014).Appalachian League Baseball: Where the Rookies Rise.Xlibris Corporation.ISBN9781499042825.
  10. ^abc"Who is Braves Prospect Tommy Hanson?".BleacherReport.com. November 16, 2008.RetrievedDecember 29,2008.
  11. ^"Minor League Baseball: Stats: Player".Web.minorleaguebaseball.com.RetrievedDecember 26,2008.
  12. ^Smith, Daren (April 5, 2008)."Pelicans' Hanson proves untouchable".MILB.com.RetrievedNovember 13,2015.
  13. ^Wild, Danny (June 25, 2008)."Hanson hurls Braves' first no-hitter".MILB.com.RetrievedNovember 13,2015.
  14. ^Lisa Winston (October 28, 2008)."Hits hard to come by against Hanson".MLB.com.Archived fromthe originalon October 23, 2013.RetrievedDecember 26,2008.
  15. ^"Riverside Community College — The Official Athletic Site".Riverside.trivalley.com. Archived fromthe originalon July 17, 2011.RetrievedDecember 26,2008.
  16. ^"Top 50 Prospects: Tommy Hanson".MLB.com.December 5, 2008.RetrievedNovember 13,2015.
  17. ^Olney, Buster (October 18, 2008)."Peavy has five teams in mind; Padres expanding potential".ESPN.com.RetrievedNovember 14,2015.
  18. ^Weir, Tom (November 14, 2008)."The kid who may have stalled Peavy trade".USA Today.RetrievedNovember 14,2015.
  19. ^Ballew, Bill (December 15, 2008)."BaseballAmerica.com: Prospects: Rankings: Organization Top 10 Prospects: Atlanta Braves Top 10 Prospects".Baseballamerica.com.RetrievedDecember 26,2008.
  20. ^"Hanson to make Braves debut".MLB.com.Archived fromthe originalon March 4, 2016.RetrievedDecember 7,2012.
  21. ^ab"Hanson's debut marred by long balls".MLB.com.Archived fromthe originalon March 28, 2016.RetrievedDecember 7,2012.
  22. ^Kerzel, Pete (June 12, 2009)."Hanson dodges trouble to notch first win".MLB.com.RetrievedNovember 10,2015.
  23. ^Bowman, Mark (June 28, 2009)."Hanson fights off flu in masterful victory".Archived fromthe originalon March 25, 2016.RetrievedNovember 10,2015.
  24. ^Cockcroft, Tristan H. (June 29, 2009)."Hanson living up to hype".ESPN.com.RetrievedNovember 10,2015.
  25. ^Rosenberg, Adam (July 2, 2009)."Hanson named NL's top rookie in June".Archived fromthe originalon March 28, 2016.RetrievedNovember 10,2015.
  26. ^Bowman, Mark (July 10, 2009)."Braves option Hanson until after break".MLB.com.Archived fromthe originalon March 28, 2016.RetrievedNovember 10,2015.
  27. ^Bowman, Mark (July 21, 2009)."Big inning rewards Hanson's record night".MLB.com.Archived fromthe originalon March 25, 2016.RetrievedNovember 10,2015.
  28. ^Kruth, Cash (July 25, 2009)."Hanson gets first taste of defeat".MLB.com.Archived fromthe originalon March 4, 2016.RetrievedNovember 8,2015.
  29. ^Thomson, Steven (September 10, 2009)."Braves waste dynamic start from Hanson".MLB.com.Archived fromthe originalon March 28, 2016.RetrievedNovember 10,2015.
  30. ^Bowman, Mark (September 15, 2009)."Hanson, LaRoche team up to down Mets".MLB.com.Archived fromthe originalon March 28, 2016.RetrievedNovember 10,2015.
  31. ^Bowman, Mark (September 20, 2009)."Hanson stumbles in rainy loss to Phillies".MLB.com.Archived fromthe originalon March 25, 2016.
  32. ^"Phillies end Hanson's consecutive scoreless inning streak".Los Angeles Times.Associated Press. September 21, 2009.RetrievedNovember 10,2015.
  33. ^Bowman, Mark."Hanson finishes third in ROY voting".MLB.com.Archived fromthe originalon July 21, 2017.RetrievedNovember 10,2015.
  34. ^"Tommy Hanson Stats, Bio, Photos, Highlights".Mlb.mlb.com.RetrievedDecember 7,2012.
  35. ^"Former Atlanta Braves pitcher Tommy Hanson dies at 29".Chattanooga Times Free Press.Associated Press. November 10, 2015.RetrievedNovember 13,2015.
  36. ^"Chicago White Sox – PlayerWatch".Chicago Tribune.Reuters. June 15, 2013.RetrievedNovember 13,2015.
  37. ^Bowman, Mark (February 13, 2012)."Delivery adjusted, Hanson no longer hits pause".MLB.com.Archived fromthe originalon February 13, 2012.RetrievedNovember 13,2015.
  38. ^Bowman, Mark (March 31, 2012)."Hanson 'honored' to get Opening Day start".MLB.com.Archived fromthe originalon February 10, 2017.RetrievedOctober 22,2014.
  39. ^Rogers, Carroll."Braves put Hanson on DL with lower back strain".The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.July 31, 2012. Archived fromthe originalon August 4, 2012.RetrievedAugust 6,2012.
  40. ^DiGiovanna, Mike (November 30, 2012)."Angels acquire pitcher Tommy Hanson from Braves for Jordan Walden".Los Angeles Times.RetrievedNovember 13,2015.
  41. ^Crasnick, Jerry(December 2, 2012)."Tommy Hanson swapped for Walden".ESPN.com.RetrievedMay 8,2015.
  42. ^Gleeman, Aaron (May 29, 2013)."Tommy Hanson:" I was having mental issues with the death of my younger brother "".Hardball Talk.Archivedfrom the original on November 14, 2015.
  43. ^Gonzalez, Alden (December 2, 2013)."Angels non-tender Williams, Hanson, two others".MLB.com.RetrievedMay 8,2015.
  44. ^Durrett, Richard (February 10, 2014)."Sources: Tommy Hanson to Rangers".ESPN.com.RetrievedFebruary 10,2014.
  45. ^Durrett, Richard (February 14, 2014)."Tommy Hanson officially a Ranger".ESPN.com.RetrievedFebruary 14,2014.
  46. ^"No structural damage for Darvish".ESPN.com.March 27, 2014.RetrievedJanuary 4,2015.
  47. ^Padilla, Doug (April 7, 2014)."Tommy Hanson signs with White Sox".ESPN.com.RetrievedApril 7,2014.
  48. ^abGlaser, Kyle (May 14, 2015)."Giants sign Hanson (REV/RCC) to minor league deal".Press Enterprise.RetrievedSeptember 21,2015.
  49. ^"Former River Cats pitcher Tommy Hanson dies at 29".Sacramento Bee.Fox Sports. November 10, 2015.RetrievedMarch 20,2016.
  50. ^"Brooks Baseball · Home of the PitchFX Tool – Player Card: Tommy Hanson".Brooks Baseball.RetrievedSeptember 15,2012.
  51. ^abMiller, Scott (March 2016)."Shattered Dream".Bleacher Report.RetrievedMarch 22,2016.
  52. ^abO'Brien, David (November 10, 2015)."Former Braves pitcher Tommy Hanson dead at 29".The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.RetrievedNovember 22,2022.
  53. ^Stevens, Alexis (December 11, 2015)."Autopsy: Ex-Braves pitcher Tommy Hanson died from cocaine, alcohol".The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.RetrievedNovember 22,2022.
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