Baltimore Orioles History: Steve Bechler Dies in Spring Training
During the early part of the 2000’s, before more scrutiny was placed upon the supplement industry, there were a great deal of questionable substances being consumed. One this day in 2003, Baltimore Orioles pitching prospect Steve Bechler died after taking the supplement Ephedra.
Major League players will do whatever they need in order to get in shape and find a competitive advantage, and Baltimore Orioles pitcher Steve Bechler was no exception. A heavier person, Bechler was 6’4″ and weighed 230 pounds when he arrived to Spring Training with the Baltimore Orioles. Naturally, he tried everything to lose weight.
As a part of his attempt to lose the weight, Bechler went against the advise of his personal trainer and started taking Ephedra. Despite numerous reports of side effects, and deaths resulting from the drug, it was marketed as a natural weight loss supplement. That drew the attention of Bechler, who took the supplement while skipping meals.
That combination, along with strenuous exercise during conditioning drills, proved to be a fatal combination. Bechler collapsed on the field, and was rushed to a nearby hospital. There, he was found to have a temperature of 108 degrees. He died on this day in 2003, just one day after suffering from heatstroke and having several organs fail. Bechler was only 23 years old.
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It was discovered in the autopsy that Bechler also had hypertension and an abnormally functioning liver, conditions brought about by the use of Ephedra. His widow would go on to sue Nutraquest, the makers of the supplement, for $600 Million. The lawsuit would be suspended when the company filed for bankruptcy later in the year.
Meanwhile, Bechler’s death brought sweeping changes. Teams began banning the use of the supplement, with Major League Baseball banning it outright a few weeks later. Congress called hearings on Ephedra, with Bechler’s parents testifying. On December 30, they voted to ban the supplement in the country.
Bechler’s legacy would live on. He died while his wife was pregnant, with their daughter, Hallie, being born two months after his passing. His parents started the Steve Bechler Scholarship Fund, helping high school students from South Medford High School afford college.
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Every year, there are players who try to use Spring Training to get themselves back into shape, even if it involves taking a shortcut or two. Baltimore Orioles pitcher Steve Bechler tried to do that with the supplement Ephedra, and paid for it with his life.