I started a thread in Astros forum, but probably should have put it here to get more attention.. tragic ...
http://espn.go.com/classic/obit/s/2004/1010/1899091.html Caminiti, who admitted steroid use, was 41 NEW YORK -- 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.
http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/topstory/2841230 ----------------------------------------- Former Astro Ken Caminiti dead Associated Press NEW YORK -- Ken Caminiti, the 1996 National League MVP who later admitted using steroids during his major league career, died Sunday. He was 41. ADVERTISEMENT 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 today, 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.
show the man respect.. does the very first sentence of the artcile have to say.. who admitted steroid abuse.. they say he was on steorids before even talking about hs death .. goodness
This is, indeed, a sad day for Astro fans. Caminiti, steroids or not, was a great player for the 'Stros. I remember, the November right after he won his MVP, he came in with his wife to shop at the Toys R Us I worked at at the time. I told him "congratulations" and he responded by saying "I appreciate it." I had always heard, from others that lived around him that I went to school with, that he was a dick and/or an a-hole, but he didn't seem that way when I met him. I was shocked to later find out that he took steroids cause he certainly didn't look like it then, even though he admitted later he was using them during that season. He will be missed.
three daughters.. I read online he has their names tattooed on his chest.. .. that makes it even worse that he has the kids
i wonder how this is going to affect bags' and biggio's psyche...big loss to astros fans...baseball fans for that matter
This is truly sad for my friends and myself. Caminiti, along with Biggio are my favorite all-time Astros. I remember how bitter I was when they traded him away, and how elated I was when he was resigned. My roommate had the opportunity to talk to Caminiti during his recent brief tenure in Houston. He came home with stories that Ken had shared with him, and I felt like that little kid again hearing stories about a hero of mine. The look in my roommate's eyes were like that of a wide-eyed child in awe. Here we were two grown men remembering our fond memories of Caminiti, and this was about a week ago. Despite his faults and his straying from the path, Caminiti was a warrior with a cannon for an arm. He played the game harder than the majority of players on the field, which is what eventually drove him to steroids. I'm not condoning it, but I can understand why he did it. My heart goes out to all his fans like my roommate and myself, and especially his little girls, whom he wanted to see more than anything.
Man, this hit kind of hard. Cammy was my favorite player when I was little and the one I tried hardest to emulate in playing style. Throws on the knees from third base and all that. +
Incredibly sad... prayers go out to his family... Just wondering, would the heart attack have to do with the steroid use? +
It is indeed a sad day, but just think how incredible it would be for them to pull off a win and clinch the series in his name...
Unbelievable. Terrible news. I know he has a daughter and I feel for her. What a terrible day already.