SPORTS BRIEFS: Police cite possible overdose possibility in Hanson death

Police cite overdose possibility in Hanson death

Former Braves pitcher Tommy Hanson, one of the most promising young talents in the game just five years ago, is dead at age 29 from a possible overdose.

Hanson died late Monday after suffering catastrophic organ failure at Piedmont Hospital. An initial incident report cites a possible crime as “overdose” without listing what Hanson may have taken. The GBI crime lab was conducting an autopsy Tuesday, the Coweta County coroner said, but toxicology results could take several weeks.

Hanson had been hospitalized since Sunday morning after being found unconscious at a friend’s Newnan-area home. The friend, Brandon Bond, had called 911 to report Hanson was not breathing.

“I’m at a loss for words,” former Braves teammate Freddie Freeman said. “He was a great teammate and an even better friend. You just always wanted to be around him because he had such a positive personality. He had a smile that would light up the room. Can’t fully grasp that he’s gone. I’m going to miss him a lot.”

Rumors of Hanson’s condition had began to spread Monday afternoon. Another former Braves teammate, Jordan Schafer, posted on his Twitter account at 11:06 p.m.: “This breaks my heart. RIP TH.”

Hanson had a 49-35 record and 3.80 ERA in 123 games (121 starts) over five major league seasons, the first four of those with the Braves. Shoulder problems and a concussion stalled his career and he last appeared in the majors in 2013 with the Los Angeles Angels after being traded by the Braves in December 2012.

The 6-foot-6 redhead, nicknamed Big Red, was known for his affable personality. He was 45-32 with a 3.61 ERA in 108 starts for the Braves, with at least 10 wins in each of his four seasons with them.

After being traded away, Hanson had a career-worst 5.42 ERA in 15 games for the Angels in 2013 and spent several weeks away from the team in two different stretches while dealing with the sudden death of his stepbrother.

Georgia signs two Southwest Georgia standouts

Tyree Crump and Jordan Harris, a pair of premier perimeter prospects from Southwest Georgia, have signed letters-of-intent to play collegiately at the University of Georgia, head coach Mark Fox announced on Wednesday.

Both Crump, who attends Bainbridge High School, and Harris, who is from Seminole County High School, inked their papers on the first day of the NCAA’s weeklong early signing period.

“We are excited to welcome both Tyree and Jordan into our program,” Fox said. “They are both very talented basketball players from the state of Georgia who have grown up as fans of UGA and will now have the opportunity to play for the Dogs. We expect both of these guys to be great additions to our team.”

Crump (6-foot-2, 175 pounds) averaged 22.6 points, 4.7 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game for the Bearcats last year. That followed his averaging 22.4 points, 4.7 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game as a sophomore when Bainbridge reached the quarterfinals of the state tournament.

Harris (6-5, 175) was named 2015 Georgia Player of the Year for Class 2A by both the Georgia Sports Writers Association after leading Seminole County to a state championship. Harris has been named All-State three times. Last season, Harris averaged 27.4 points, 11.2 rebounds, 7.2 assists, 3.6 steals and 1.9 blocks per game for the Indians.

Glover signs baseball scholarship with Georgia

Former Deerfield-Windsor baseball player Justin Glover signed a baseball scholarship with Georgia on Wednesday, the first day of the NCAA’s early signing period.

Glover, who now lives in the metro-Atlanta area, helped lead Buford to the Class AAAA title as a junior last season playing first base and pitcher.