| Steve Bechler | |
|---|---|
| Pitcher | |
| Born: November 18, 1979 Medford, Oregon |
|
| Died: February 17, 2003 (aged 23) Ft. Lauderdale, Florida |
|
| Batted: Right | Threw: Right |
| MLB debut | |
| September 6, 2002 for the Baltimore Orioles | |
| Last MLB appearance | |
| September 22, 2002 for the Baltimore Orioles | |
| Career statistics | |
| Win-Loss record | 0-0 |
| Earned run average | 13.50 |
| Strikeouts | 3 |
| Teams | |
Steven Scott Bechler (November 18, 1979 – February 17, 2003) was a Major League Baseball pitcher for the Baltimore Orioles in 2002.[1]
Steve Bechler died of heatstroke at the beginning of spring training with the Orioles in 2003. An autopsy performed by Dr. Joshua Perper concluded that that "the toxicity of ephedra played a significant role" in his death, along with "'abnormal liver function and mild hypertension', his weight problem and the fact that he was not used to south Florida's warm weather".[2] He was using the supplement ephedra, against the advice of his trainer,[3] and probably had not eaten in two days[4] in an effort to lose weight. Bechler was married and the couple was expecting a child.[5] A small scholarship fund was set up in his memory.[6]