Yankees Ex-Pitcher Hideki Irabu Dead At 42, Suicide By Hanging Is Suspected Cause Of Death

Ex-Yankee Hideki Irabu, who George Steinbrenner once referred to as a “fat pu**y toad” was found dead Thursday in his California home. He was 42-years-old.

According to TMZ reports:

Former New York Yankees pitcher Hideki Irabu was found dead yesterday in his California home — and law enforcement sources tell TMZ, it appears he committed suicide by hanging himself. We’re told a friend found him.

L.A. County Coroner is still trying to locate next of kin.

Hideki played for the Yankees, Expos, and Rangers — last pitching in the big leagues in 2002. He won World Series rings with the Yanks in 1998 and 1999.

Seems that things had been very rough for Irabu in the last few years. The baseballer was arrested in Tokyo in 2008 for assault, when he smashed several bottles of liquor and attacked a bartender after his credit card was rejected. Irabu reportedly drank 20 mugs of beer before the incident. Last May police arrested him in Gardena, CA for drunk driving.

Poor thang.

R.I.P. Hideki