Local College Honors Former Angels Pitcher Tommy Hanson After His Sudden Death

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com/AP) — Former Braves and Angels pitcher Tommy Hanson has died. He was 29.

Coweta County coroner Richard Hawk says an autopsy began Tuesday, following Hanson's death at Piedmont Hospital on Monday night.

Hawk says Hanson was found "unconscious and unresponsive" in Coweta County on Sunday and was initially taken to a hospital in Newnan before being transferred to Piedmont.

Hawk told The Associated Press on Tuesday night "the cause and manor of death are still under investigation."

Hanson, a 6-foot-6 right-hander, pitched for the Braves from 2009-2012, winning at least 10 games each season. He pitched for the Angels in 2013 before signing minor league contracts with the White Sox in 2014 and the Giants in 2015.

SportsCenter reported early Tuesday morning that the possible cause of Hanson's death was catastrophic organ failure.

Hanson attended High School in Redlands and played at Riverside City College as well.

Hanson began playing at Riverside City College in 2005, but after just one season, he got an opportunity to sign with the Atlanta Braves.

He turned down the chance to become a big-leaguer in order to develop himself more mentally and physically.

After one more season at Riverside City College, he took the opportunity and began his career with the Braves.

By 2009, Hanson had already made it to the major leagues.

On Tuesday, his former school honored him with a touching tribute.

His former coaches remember him as a quiet but confident young man who was a fierce competitor on the mound.

Hanson lost his brother in 2013 when he was a member of the Angels, which according to friends, had a terrible effect on him

"Me as a coach, and as a father, look at what could I have done more to assist him if there was more I could have helped him with, that's my deepest sorrow," his former Coach Dennis Rogers said.

Andy Bouchie was his best friend and former catcher.

"Losing a brother - losing that one person like I said I could rely on for everything," Bouchie said.

The Dodgers 3B Justin Turner was one of many MLB players who tweeted his support to Hanson's family after hearing the news.

Thoughts and prayers to Tommy Hanson's family and friends. Played against him for a long time. I'm completely shocked right now. #RIPTommy

— Justin Turner (@redturn2) November 10, 2015

While Hanson will be remembered for his baseball skills, his friends and coaches say that the man he was - is even better.