Kennedy died of natural causes

Former Rays pitcher Joe Kennedy died of natural causes related to heart disease, Hillsborough County Medical Examiner Dr. Vernard Adams said Tuesday.

Kennedy, 28, collapsed and died at his in-laws' home in Lithia on Nov. 23, during a Thanksgiving weekend visit. He died, Adams said, as a result of two relatively common problems with his heart - hypertensive heart disease and myxoid valvular disease - that are somewhat uncommon for people his age.

"There were two reasons he had abnormal electrical rhythms that led to his heart stop pumping,'' Adams said. "The combination of his age and the two diseases is somewhat unusual.''

Though a final toxicology report has not been completed, Adams said he reviewed enough of the results to determine the cause of Kennedy's death. "He did not have a drug intoxication, he died by natural disease,'' Adams said.

Kennedy had been with Oakland much of the last three seasons and A's officials told the San Francisco Chronicle they had done numerous tests on Kennedy because of a family history of heart disease, but according to team physician Dr. Allan Pont "there were no abnormalities to suggest anything wrong with his heart.''

Adams said though Kennedy had some high blood pressure readings, "he was never given the label hypertensive,'' and that an echocardiogram was normal.

Hypertensive heart disease can lead to a thickening of the heart wall and elevated blood pressure. Myxoid valvular disease can lead to incompetence of the valve on the left side of the heart, but Adams said in Kennedy's case it resulted in electrical instability.

Kennedy was an eighth-round pick in the 1998 draft by the Rays and came up through the system, making his big-league debut in 2001 and was their opening day starter in 2003. He struggled to a 3-12 record that season and the Rays traded him after the season to Colorado as part of a three-team deal that brought Mark Hendrickson to Tampa Bay.

He went on to pitch for the A's and Jays, compiling a 43-61 career record with 4.79 ERA in 222 games.

Comments

[Brad Mofsky]

This is why its so important to watch players with previous histories of Heart conditions,like Johnny Gomes.We must observe him to help insure his long term health and safety.

[Eugene]

I agree that some follow up is indicated, especially with an experienced Echocardiographer reading the study done by the A's. The dynamics of the valve structure can be very different in a live heart compared to autopsy. The myxomatous valve could just be a "red herring" and he just had electrical instability from the hypertension causing the cardiac arrest. This is one of those things that there is likely never going to be an answer to, so prayer for the family is our best course. Second, Tony, where do you get off calling voxy that?

[Holly]

I agree with Dr Oakes! I am a licensed health insurance broker and it appears that Joe Kennedy did NOT receive proper health care; on multiple levels. This is shameful!

[Kathleen]

My condolences to the Kennedy family. What a tragedy.

I agree completely with James Oaks, D.O. Seek legal counsel.

[James Oakes, D.O.]

First of all, my condolences to the Kennedy family. Secondly, the Kennedy family needs to obtain swift legal representation. According to this report, Joe Kennedy not only had a family history of heart disease, he had also had blood pressure readings which could be labeled as hypertensive. Along with his primary physician (if he had one), one or more of the baseball organizations, which he had been affiliated with, definitely dropped the ball. Joe Kennedy's death was not secondary to "natural causes." Twenty eight year olds DO NOT die of natural causes. Had Mr. Kennedy received the care that he should have been afforded, he most certainly would be alive to discuss his treatable condition.

[Tony]

voxy - So you think this was not a natural death? Why stir up trouble? Who r e

[voxy]

right.

Kennedy Family: I am VERY sorry for your loss. I would not take the word of the HC ME for anything.

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