Joe Kennedy dies

Joe Kennedy, major-league(mlb) pitcher, died early Friday morning, a Hillsborough County sheriff's official said. He was 28.

Kennedy passed out at home and was brought to a hospital, said Hillsborough County sheriff's spokeswoman Debbie Carter, who had no further details.

Kennedy's agent, Damon Lapa, told ESPN.com that Kennedy died while at home with family in Florida. Lapa did not return phone calls and an e-mail from the Associated Press.

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

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

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

The left-hander played seven big-league seasons with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, Colorado Rockies, Oakland Athletics, Arizona Diamondbacks and Toronto Blue Jays. Kennedy compiled a 43-61 record with a 4.79 ERA, pitching 908 2/3 innings in 222 career appearances.

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