Former Major League Pitcher Hideki Irabu Found Dead from Suspected Suicide

Former New York Yankees pitcher Hideki Irabu is dead, according to multiple reports in Japan. He was 42.

Irabu was reportedly found dead in his California home Tuesday from a suspected suicide. According to NBC Sports, citing Japanese sources, Irabu hung himself.

The former Japanese superstar started 80 games over six major league seasons with the New York Yankees, Montreal Expos, and Texas Rangers. Irabu, who helped force a trade to the Yankees from the San Diego Padres in 1997, went 29-20 during three seasons in the Bronx while winning two World Series titles in 1998 and 1999.

Irabu had run-ins with the law following his retirement from baseball in 2002. He was arrested for drunk driving in 2010 and was charged with assaulting a bar manager in Japan in 2008.

[NBC Sports]