Joe Kennedy

thecanadianpress

TAMPA, Fla. - Joe Kennedy, a journeyman left-hander who pitched for
three major league teams last season, died at his in-laws' home Friday.
He was 28.

After going to bed early, Kennedy woke up at about
1:15 a.m. Friday and collapsed as he was leaving a bedroom at the home
of his wife's parents, Hillsborough County sheriff's spokeswoman Debbie
Carter said. Hillsborough County Fire Rescue took Kennedy to Brandon
Hospital, where he was pronounced dead, she said.

"This is tragic
and stunning news, it is difficult to express the emotions felt by the
Blue Jays players and our organization," Toronto GM J.P. Ricciardi said
in a statement. "My sincere sympathies go to his wife, their son and
the entire family."

"We were terribly shocked," Blue Jays
president Paul Godfrey told The Associated Press. "From what we
understand he was in Brandon ... to be the best man at a wedding today."

Godfrey didn't have particulars on the cause of death.

"Obviously, when a 28-year-old man dies, ball player or not, it's a terrible, terrible thing," he said.

Kennedy
spent seven years in the majors, playing last season with Oakland,
Arizona and Toronto. He also spent time with Tampa Bay and Colorado and
had a 43-61 career record with a 4.79 ERA in 222 appearances.

"He
was such a focused kid from the time we took him in the draft," said
Florida Marlins vice-president Dan Jennings, who was the scouting
director for Tampa Bay when the Rays selected Kennedy in the 1998
draft. "He was on a mission to become a major league pitcher."

Kennedy made his major league debut in June 2001 and made his last appearance in relief on Sept. 29 in a 5-3 win over Tampa Bay.

"You
think all athletes and all young people are invincible," Jennings said.
"Then when you see something like this, it's very tragic."

Craig Weissmann, the Tampa Bay scout who signed Kennedy, described him as a fierce, determined competitor.

"He
really dedicated himself and was really on a mission to become a major
league pitcher," Weissmann said. "You wish as a scout and a major
league organization, you wish every kid could develop that fast."

Godfrey said Toronto was interested in bringing Kennedy back.

"We had every intention to speak to him," he said. "We had him on our list to talk to."

Kennedy's agent, Damon Lapa, did not return phone calls and an e-mail from the AP.

"He
was a valued teammate and friend to everyone with the A's
organization," Oakland assistant general manager David Forst said in a
statement. "On behalf of the entire A's organization, we extend our
condolences to Joe's wife, Jami and his entire family."

Kennedy
started the 2007 season with Oakland as a starter but was moved to the
bullpen after going 3-9 with a 4.37 ERA. He appeared in 27 games,
including 16 starts, before being placed on waivers.

Claimed by
Arizona in August, he was released that month after just three
appearances. The Blue Jays signed him Aug. 29, and Kennedy got his
first win as a Blue Jay on Sept. 21, in New York against the Yankees.

Kennedy
and his family still lived in the Denver area and had just bought a new
house, Rockies first baseman Todd Helton, one of Kennedy's closest
friends, told the Denver Post.

"It's a sad day and a sad situation," Helton said. "He's leaving a wife and a little boy behind."

That family meant everything to Kennedy, Weissmann said.

"He
was a great father. He loved that boy and his wife both more than
anything in the world. That son of his was the apple of his eye,"
Weissmann said. "He just was really looking forward to everything that
a father shares with a son."

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