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Report on Bechler's death due Thursday Posted: Monday March 10, 2003 3:12 PMFORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) -- A toxicology report on the death of Baltimore Orioles pitcher Steve Bechler probably will be released Thursday, according to the coroner conducting the autopsy. Broward County medical examiner Dr. Joshua Perper said Monday he'll hold a news conference to disclose the findings. Bechler died Feb. 17 of heatstroke following a spring training workout. The pitcher had been taking an over-the-counter supplement that contained the weight-loss supplement ephedra, which likely contributed to his death, Perper said last month. Baseball commissioner Bud Selig has since banned players with minor league contracts from using ephedra. Selig and the players' union are waiting for the toxicology results in the Bechler case before deciding whether to ban the supplement for major leaguers as well. Ephedra is already banned by the NCAA, NFL and International Olympic Committee. Bechler, 23, died less than 24 hours after a workout sent his temperature to 108 degrees. Preliminary autopsy findings indicated he died from complications of heatstroke that caused multiple organ failure. The toxicology results will show whether there was ephedra in his system, as Perper suspected. The coroner has already called for a ban on the use of ephedra by athletes. A memorial service for Bechler drew 800 people Saturday in his hometown of Medford, Ore. |
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