Overview

Tommy Hanson (August 28, 1986 – November 9, 2015) was an American professional baseball pitcher who played in Major League Baseball. A right-handed starter, Hanson rose through the Atlanta Braves' system and became a prominent member of their rotation before finishing his MLB career with the Los Angeles Angels. He made his big-league debut with Atlanta and remained with the Braves through the 2012 season.

Playing style and characteristics

Hanson was known for a power-oriented approach from the mound. He combined a fastball with several secondary pitches, and scouts praised his ability to generate velocity and strikeout swings when at peak form. As a starter he worked multiple innings per start and was valued for his competitive delivery and ability to challenge hitters with a mix of pitches.

Professional career highlights

  • Developed in the Atlanta organization and reached the major leagues with the Braves, becoming a regular in their starting rotation.
  • Spent several seasons in Atlanta, where he established himself as one of the team's young arms before injuries and inconsistencies limited his effectiveness in later years.
  • Was traded to the Los Angeles Angels and appeared there in what became his final MLB season.

Readers can find summaries of his statistics and season-by-season performance through various baseball reference sites and retrospectives on his career. For organizational records and transactional history consult official team pages and archival material here and here.

Death and aftermath

On November 9, 2015, Hanson was reported to have suffered catastrophic organ failure and was in a coma prior to his death later that evening at a hospital in Atlanta. His passing at age 29 was widely reported and prompted statements from former teammates and the baseball community. Coverage of the events and the immediate reports can be found via contemporary news outlets and memorial accounts here.

Legacy and notable facts

Hanson is remembered as a talented young pitcher whose career showed early promise. He is often cited in discussions about prospects who reached the major leagues and the challenges pitchers face with health and performance over time. Biographical summaries and retrospectives are available through team histories and broader baseball resources here and here.

While his career was relatively brief, Hanson left an impression on teammates and fans for his competitiveness on the mound and the potential he displayed during his prime seasons.