Agent says Kennedy may have died from enlarged heart

Sunday, November 25, 2007

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Kennedy played in the majors for seven seasons with several different teams, including the Oakland A's and the Tampa Bay Rays.

(Bay News 9) -- The agent for former Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Joe Kennedy said Saturday he may have died from an enlarged heart.

Doctors gave the tentative diagnosis one day after Kennedy, 28, collapsed and died while in Florida for Thanksgiving with his in-laws.

The blood work for the toxicology report has not been completed.

Medical tests to determine the cause of death are expected to take six to eight weeks. A Forensic investigator with the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office said results of Kennedy's autopsy are pending the completion of the tests.

Following news of Kennedy's passing, Mitch Lukevics, Director of Minor League Operations, issued the following statement on behalf of the Rays organization:

"We are shocked and deeply saddened by the news of Joe's sudden passing and extend our deepest sympathies to his family. Joe made all of us very proud as we watched him transform from a young pitching prospect in 1998 into our Opening Day starter in a very short time."

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Kennedy compiled a 43-61 record in seven major league seasons with the Rays, Colorado Rockies, Oakland Athletics, Arizona Diamondbacks and Toronto Blue Jays.

A left-hander, Kennedy broke into the majors in 2001 with the Devil Rays. In three full seasons with Tampa Bay he made 72 starts, compiling an 18-31 record. He was the Rays' opening day starter in 2003.

Since 2004, Kennedy had two stints each with Colorado and Oakland. He started the 2007 season with Oakland, was claimed off waivers in August by Arizona, then designated for assignment before being signed by the Blue Jays on Aug. 29. Kennedy had a career 4.79 ERA, pitching 908 2/3 innings over 222 career appearances.

He made his last appearance in relief on Sept. 29 in a 5-3 win against Tampa Bay. Kennedy was married with a 1-year old son.