Steve Bechler
Steve Bechler | |
---|---|
Pitcher | |
Born: Medford, Oregon, U.S. | November 18, 1979|
Died: February 17, 2003 Fort Lauderdale, Florida, U.S. | (aged 23)|
Batted: Right Threw: Right | |
MLB debut | |
September 6, 2002, for the Baltimore Orioles | |
Last MLB appearance | |
September 22, 2002, for the Baltimore Orioles | |
MLB statistics | |
Win–loss record | 0–0 |
Earned run average | 13.50 |
Strikeouts | 3 |
Teams | |
|
Steven Scott Bechler (November 18, 1979 – February 17, 2003) was an American professional baseball pitcher who played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Baltimore Orioles.
After starring for the
During spring training in 2003, he died of heat stroke while participating in conditioning drills. A medical examiner found that Bechler's use of the supplement ephedra contributed to his death. Following this revelation, the Food and Drug Administration opened an inquiry, which resulted in the banning of ephedra products in the United States. He and Tom Gastall are the only two Orioles to die while still active players.[1]
Early life
Bechler was born on November 18, 1979, in
Baseball career
Bechler attended South Medford High School in Medford, Oregon. He graduated in 1998.[2] Playing for the school's baseball team, he was named to the All-Oregon third team in his senior year.[6]
Heading into the
In 2002, Bechler pitched for Bowie and Rochester. He had a 2–1 win–loss record with a 3.42 earned run average (ERA) with Bowie and 6–11 record and a 4.09 ERA with Rochester.[13] At the end of the minor league season, the Orioles promoted Bechler to the major leagues.[4][13] He appeared in three games for the Orioles, pitching 4+2⁄3 innings, in which he allowed six hits, four walks, three home runs, and recorded three strikeouts.[14] He suffered a strained hamstring in his final appearance.[15]
Personal life
On October 22, 2002, Bechler married Kiley Mae Nixon at Community Bible Church in Central Point, Oregon.[2] The couple had a daughter, Hallie, who was born in April 2003, two months after her father's death.[3][16]
Death
On February 16, 2003, during the Orioles'
An autopsy performed by Broward County Medical Examiner Joshua Perper concluded that Bechler's death was caused by a pre-existing liver condition, mild hypertension, his weight (he weighed 249 pounds (113 kg) pounds upon arriving at spring training, and was exercising hard), the heat and humidity of the Florida weather, low food consumption, and the toxicity of ephedra.[1][21]
At the time of Bechler's death, ephedra was banned by the International Olympic Committee, the National Collegiate Athletic Association, and the National Football League, but not by Major League Baseball, where its use remained common among players.[1][5] Bud Selig, the Commissioner of Baseball, called for a ban in the wake of Bechler's death.[22] Numerous teams banned the use of ephedra in their clubhouses.[23] The Food and Drug Administration, which had previously chosen not to ban ephedra, subsequently re-opened its efforts to regulate it. The United States Congress dropped its previous objections to a ban, and Bechler's parents testified in front of Congress.[18] The FDA announced its decision to ban ephedra on December 30.[24]
Bechler was cremated, and on the six month anniversary of his death, Kiley scattered his ashes on the
See also
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h Connolly, Dan (February 27, 2020). "'Are we supposed to give up?': O's prospect Steve Bechler's family still grieves". The Athletic. Retrieved January 16, 2023.
- ^ a b c d "Obituaries". Southern Oregon Mail Tribune. February 28, 2003. Archived from the original on December 2, 2016. Retrieved March 28, 2014.
- ^ a b Vecsey, Laura (April 30, 2003). "Drug policy leaves Bechlers at a loss". Baltimore Sun. Retrieved June 23, 2020.
- ^ a b c He was a gamer Sports Illustrated. Saturday March 8, 2003
- ^ a b "Parents: Bechler had problems with heat". Baltimore Sun. February 19, 2003. Retrieved June 23, 2020.
- ^ Greg Stiles (June 17, 1998). "Rumrey named 4A baseball player of year". MailTribune.com. Archived from the original on March 27, 2014. Retrieved March 28, 2014.
- ^ "CNN/SI – Baseball Draft – – June 1, 1998". Sports Illustrated. June 1, 1998. Retrieved March 28, 2014.
- ^ David Preszler (June 10, 1998). "O's give Bechler signing bonus of $257,000". MailTribune.com. Archived from the original on March 28, 2014. Retrieved June 23, 2020.
- ^ "Keys roster features two of Os' top draft picks". The Frederick News-Post. April 5, 2000. Retrieved March 28, 2014.
- ^ "Road to Triple-A not easy for Bechler". Baltimore Sun. July 16, 2001. Retrieved June 23, 2020.
- ^ "Ripe prospects mature in Fall League". USA Today. October 3, 2001. Retrieved March 28, 2014.
- ^ "Orioles arm selves, but gamble, too". Baltimore Sun. November 21, 2001. Retrieved June 23, 2020.
- ^ a b "Bechler, Rogers join O's for 1st time as 5 are called up". Baltimore Sun. September 4, 2002. Retrieved June 23, 2020.
- ^ "Orioles' 23-year-old pitching prospect dies". Sports Illustrated. February 17, 2003. Retrieved June 23, 2020.
- ^ "Pitching in pain, Bechler hurt by slam, too". Baltimore Sun. September 23, 2002. Retrieved March 28, 2014.
- ^ a b "Camden closure for Bechler widow". The Baltimore Sun. August 18, 2003. Retrieved June 23, 2020.
- ^ "Steve Bechler's Death Five Years Later". The Baltimore Sun. February 17, 2008. Retrieved March 28, 2014.
- ^ a b "Untimely death spurred ephedra scrutiny". ESPN. February 17, 2004. Retrieved June 23, 2020.
- ^ Drugs and society By Glen R. Hanson, Peter J. Venturelli, Annette E. Fleckenstein p. 314.
- ^ Quinn, T.J.; Red, Christian; McCarron, Anthony (February 23, 2003). "WEIGHT TO BEAR Obsession with shedding pounds led Bechler to ephedra". New York Daily News. Retrieved April 22, 2014.[permanent dead link]
- ISBN 9780786452545.
- ^ "Selig calls for talks on ban of ephedrine". Baltimore Sun. February 22, 2003. Retrieved June 23, 2020.
- ^ "Brewers ban supplements from clubhouse". Midland Daily News. March 5, 2003. Retrieved June 23, 2020.
- ^ "Government announces ban on ephedra". CNN.com. December 31, 2003. Retrieved March 28, 2014.
- ^ "O's outraged as ephedra maker names team in Bechler lawsuit". The Baltimore Sun. December 3, 2003. Retrieved March 28, 2014.
- ^ "2 Orioles pitchers testify in Bechler heatstroke case". The Baltimore Sun. March 19, 2005. Retrieved June 23, 2020.
- ^ "Stimulant maker files Chapter 11". Chicago Tribune. October 22, 2003. Retrieved June 23, 2020.
External links
- Career statistics and player information from MLB, or ESPN, or Baseball Reference, or Fangraphs, or Baseball Reference (Minors)