MLB Wire Notes | Kennedy’s death still a mystery
TAMPA, Fla. - Medical tests to determine the cause of death of left-handed pitcher Joe Kennedy are expected to take about six to eight weeks.
Results of Kennedy’s autopsy are pending the completion of the tests, said forensic investigator Amanda Whidden on Saturday. She is with Hillsborough County’s medical examiner’s office.
Kennedy, a journeyman who pitched for three major-league teams last season, died at his in-laws’ home Friday at age 28. The death shocked former teammates and executives around Major League Baseball.
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.
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 earned-run average in 222 appearances.
Yankees, A-Rod agree on marketing deal
Alex Rodriguez and the New York Yankees have agreed on a $30 million marketing package based on home-run achievements that could raise the value of his new contract to $305 million over 10 years.
Under the agreement, which remains to be finalized, Rodriguez (518 homers) could receive $6 million each for tying the home-run levels of Willie Mays (660), Babe Ruth (714), Hank Aaron (755) and Barry Bonds (762), and an additional $6 million for breaking Bonds’ major-league record.
The Yankees could designate each level as a historic event, enabling Rodriguez to receive the added money in exchange for additional personal appearances and signed memorabilia for the club. That enabled the agreement to be allowed by the players’ association and the commissioner’s office.