Former Atlanta Braves pitcher Tommy Hanson possibly overdosed, sheriff's report says

Former Atlanta Braves pitcher Tommy Hanson may have overdosed when he was found Sunday not breathing, a sheriff’s office report released Tuesday states.

Hanson, 29, was at a friend’s home near Newnan, Georgia, early Sunday when he was found, the Coweta County Sheriff’s Office report states. Brandon Bond called 911 to report Hanson was not breathing, the report says.

The initial police report does not provide specifics about what Hanson may have overdosed on, but lists ”overdose as the possible crime. The report does not include any additional details about why ”overdose was listed as a possible cause.

Hanson was first taken to Piedmont Newnan Hospital and then Piedmont Hospital’s main campus in Atlanta.

The GBI crime lab was conducting an autopsy Tuesday, the Coweta County coroner said. Toxicology results could take several weeks to be completed.

Hanson had a 49-35 record and 3.80 ERA in 123 games (121 starts) over five major league seasons, the first four of those with the Braves. Shoulder problems and a concussion stalled his career, and he last pitched in the majors in 2013 with the Los Angeles Angels after being traded by the Braves in December 2012.

Hanson pitched in Triple-A during parts of the past two seasons, in the White Sox organization in 2014 and the Giants organization in 2015.

A Califoia native known for his amiable personality, Hanson was a 22nd round draft pick by the Braves in 2005 out of Riverside Community College.

Hanson finished third in the National League Rookie of the Year balloting in 2009, behind Chris Coghlan and J.A. Happ and ahead of Andrew McCutchen. Hanson was 11-4 with a 2.89 ERA in 21 starts that season for Atlanta, eaing the early summer call-up after posting a 1.49 ERA and 91 strikeouts in 66 1/3 innings over 11 starts at Triple-A Gwinnett.