Tragic history

Boston professional athletes who died while still active in their sports:

Marty Bergen, Boston Nationals (Braves), Jan. 19, 1900: The catcher killed his wife, son, and daughter with an ax before cutting his own throat in North Brookfield.

Chick Stahl, Boston Americans (Red Sox), March 28, 1907: Player-manager killed himself in West Baden, Ind., by drinking carbolic acid.

Tony Boeckel, Boston Braves, Feb. 16, 1924: Third baseman is killed in an automobile accident in La Jolla, Calif., just before start of spring training.

Ed Morris, Red Sox, March 3, 1932: Pitcher dies from stab wounds suffered in Florida after an argument at a fish fry given in his honor the night before he was to leave for spring training.

Harry Agganis, Red Sox, June 27, 1955: The "Greek God" from Lynn, who starred in football and baseball at Boston University, was a first baseman for the Sox when he was stricken with pneumonia and subsequently died from a pulmonary embolism.

Len Bias, Celtics, June 19, 1986: Two days after being drafted by the Celtics in the first round, second overall, the University of Maryland star forward was dead of cocaine intoxication after a night of partying near the school.

Reggie Lewis, Celtics, July 27, 1993: Working out at Brandeis University three months after collapsing in a playoff game because of an apparent heart ailment, the Celtics' All-Star forward collapsed again, and was pronounced dead two hours later.

Marquise Hill, Patriots, May 29, 2007: Body of defensive end is found in New Orleans's Lake Pontchartrain a day after he falls off a Jet Ski while not wearing a life vest.