MLB Pitcher's Cause of Death Determined

Free Agent pitcher Joe Kennedy, who played seven seasons in the Majors before passing away suddenly on November 23, died of heart disease, according to findings of the Hillsborough County, Florida medical examiner.

Kennedy collapsed in the middle of the night while visiting his in-laws in Florida, and passed away a short time later at a local hospital. The San Francisco Chronicle reported that although toxicology reports are still to come, Kennedy's death has been attributed to myxoid valvular disease, which is earmarked by the degeneration of the heart's mitral valve.

Aware of Kennedy's family history of heart disease, the Oakland Athletics' medical team put the 28-year old left-hander through what team physician Dr. Allan Pont called a "pretty extensive cardiological exam" during his tenure in the green and gold. The exam showed no abnormalities.

The autopsy findings call into question the sporting world's current procedures for detecting early signs of heart-related ailments, especially in light of other recent cardiac-related deaths in athletics. Marathon Runner Ryan Shay, 28, who had been diagnosed with an enlarged heart as a teenager, died just a few weeks before Kennedy during Olympics trials in New York City. In February of 2007, Denver Broncos Running Back Damien Nash collapsed and died after taking part in a benefit game. His death was believed to be "of cardiac origin", according to the St. Louis Missouri Medical Examiner's Office. Although it's impossible to know for sure, it's not outside the realm of possibility that additional screening and tests might have prolonged the lives of these athletes.