Former NL MVP Caminiti, 41, dies of heart attack

NEW YORK -- On the field, Ken Caminiti's all-out style served him well. Off the field is where it got him in trouble.

The 1996 National League MVP, who later admitted using steroids during his major-league career, died Sunday. He was 41.

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Caminiti died of a heart attack in the Bronx, said his agent-lawyer Rick Licht. The city medical examiner's office performed an autopsy Monday but could not rule on a cause of death until toxicology tests were complete, spokeswoman Ellen Borakove said. That process could take as long as 10 days.

"What we all loved about Cammy was his devotion to the game and his desire for the game," said one of his former coaches, Houston manager Phil Garner. "But it went into uncontrollable levels with no discipline."

Caminiti's 15-year big league career ended in 2001, five seasons after he led the San Diego Padres to a division title and was a unanimous pick for MVP. But the three-time All-Star third baseman often was in trouble the last few years.

Just last Tuesday, he admitted in a Houston court that he violated his probation by testing positive for cocaine last month, and was sentenced to 180 days in jail.

State District Judge William Harmon gave Caminiti credit for the 189 days he already served in jail and a treatment facility since he was sentenced to three years probation for a cocaine arrest in March 2001.

"This is the largest mistake I've made in my life," Caminiti said when he pleaded guilty in March 2002. "I had a real good thing going for me and I got sidetracked. It doesn't have to be that way. It doesn't have to be drugs. It doesn't have to be alcohol. That part of my life is over."

Ken Caminiti had been sentenced jail time last week in a Houston court for a probation violation.(AP)

In May 2002, Caminiti told Sports Illustrated he used steroids during his MVP season, when he hit a career-high .326 with 40 home runs and 130 RBI. He estimated half the players in the big leagues were also using them.

Licht said Caminiti hoped to get back into the game, possibly in a position that would allow him to mentor younger players about avoiding the mistakes he made.

"I'm still in shock," Padres general manager Kevin Towers said. "He was one of my favorite all-time players."

Caminiti did return to baseball this year, serving as a spring training instructor with San Diego.