http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=1913942 Cocaine and Opiates found in Caminiti's Body ESPN.com news services Drugs contributed to former baseball player Ken Caminiti's death, a medical official said Monday. Caminiti died from acute intoxication due to the combined effects of cocaine and opiates, a spokeswoman for the New York City Medical Examiners Office told ESPN. A contributing factor was coronary artery disease and cardiac hypertrophy (an enlarged heart), she said. Caminiti, 41, reportedly collapsed in a Bronx apartment Oct. 10 and was pronounced dead at Lincoln Hospital. His agent, Rick Licht, said at the time Caminiti died of a heart attack. The medical examiner's office performed the autopsy on Oct. 11 but would did not immediately release the results pending a toxicology report. On Oct. 14, ESPN's Jeremy Schaap first reported through a police source that preliminary results of Caminiti's autopsy showed that the former National League MVP died of a drug overdose. Caminiti battled drug and alcohol problems during his 15-year major league career. In May 2002, he told Sports Illustrated he used steroids during his career. In early October, he admitted in a Houston court that he violated his probation by using cocaine last month, and was sentenced to 180 days in jail. Caminiti's big-league career ended in 2001. He was a three-time All Star third baseman and a unanimous pick for MVP in 1996 when he led the San Diego Padres to the division series. Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.
I was really hoping that he could go out clean. I know that was unrealistic. He is still one of my all time favorites, I hate this for his family as much as anyone. Once again, RIP Cammy
So, he was doing some form of opium as well as cocaine. Damn. These people he was hanging out with that gave their own stories are full of sh*t in my opinion. They were all involved and I seriously doubt they didn't know anything about him being on drugs. They probably helped him score. The whole "talking to someone's kid to scare them off drugs" was just an excuse to get away and do more drugs after just getting out of jail. He left his three daughters to do drugs in NY...is the fact.
Not surprised, just saddened. I was hoping the autopsy was going to show he was clean at the time of his death. RIP Cammy......Drugs are a wicked addiction
He was probably abusing drugs with codeine or oxycodone, the new favorite among rich people (like jack osbourne and rush).
Sad.. yes he did it to himself, but it seemed like he tried to get help... and i feel for his family.. anyone know the history.. he did actively try to get help several times didn't he?
I don't have a sympathetic bone in my body for him. My complete sympathy goes out to his daughters and his family.
I wish they would say exactly what opiates he took. They specified cocaine, why not the opiates? That just keeps us guessing here in this thread.
The form opiates take is irrelevant. The effects and addictive qualities are the same regardless if swallowed, inhaled, ingested or shot up. As for the poster who said he had no sympathy for Cammy, I'm curious why you said that. If you have compelling evidence to overturn the AMA and countless other qualified and respected organizations in the claim that addiction is not a disease, I'd love to read about your research. RIP Cam.
I also understand that addiction is a disease. Forget the research. I have been witness to it my entire childhood. And have some background in it myself. And I have no pity for some one's wrong choices in life. Of course I hope the people learn from their mistakes given chances, like Cammy was given numerous times. But just because he is some local sporting icon doesn't give him the right to hurt his family and himself like he had. Addiction is also a disease of selfishness. And like I said I have complete sympathy for his family for trying to help him and be hurt like they were.
Some of you guys don't understand depression. This disease will make you self medicate in order not to hurt other people. I'm not condoning the behavior but I will not pass judgment on another human being who has succumb to those demons. I understand depression but have installed mechanisms so that it doesn't consume me. I was lucky...blessed. What if some of you died under suspicious circumstances? Is it fair to make generalizations and pass judgment? RIP Cami and the millions like him.
