", Silva said it was his idea to visit Gonzalez. He also attended San Jose State University, where he played baseball for the Spartans in 1983 and 1984. Ken Caminiti rose to prominence after being named the National Leagues Most Valuable Player in 1996. Ken was named the National League Most Valuable Player in 1996 when he was playing with San Diego. Caminiti met Silva in the park across the street from where Romero's mother lives. She doesn't know whether Caminiti took drugs that Sunday, but said she and Caminiti had not used drugs together that week. Craig Fulton named new coach of Indian men's Hockey team: What to expect? I just think she was the only person that he thought he could trust.". (U-T file) Writer began chasing story of Padres Hall of Famer a decade ago. BAT/THR. SUMMARY Career WAR 33.4 AB 6288 H 1710 HR 239 BA .272 R 894 RBI 983 SB " Gonzalez said. He was said to have a net worth of USD 12 million, which is quite a hefty amount. It was his fourth such violation and he was sentenced to 180 days in jail but given credit for time already served and released. Ranking UFC 285 fights: What's the No. In a Sports Illustrated cover story in 2002, a year after his retirement, Caminiti admitted that he had used steroids during his 1996 MVP season, and for several seasons afterwards. Romero's son was living in Bushwick in an apartment with his father, Robert Silva. [20], Caminiti also had a long struggle with cocaine, having been arrested in March 2001 for possession and sentenced to probation. [17][unreliable source? However, in 1988, Denny Walling, whom Caminiti had largely replaced the previous season, was named the Astros starting third baseman, and Caminiti started the season in the minors, playing with the Triple-A Tucson Toros of the Pacific Coast League. "He came over and gave me a bear hug like you wouldn't believe, and as he was hugging me, he says, 'Well, I let you down. Caminiti's friends offer a different account. "So out of the blue moon, he just calls me and tells me, 'I'm coming over.' He attended San Jose State University, where he played baseball for the Spartans in 1983 and 1984. Ken Caminiti was the brilliant third baseman for the Houston Astros and the San Diego Padres. They have seven grandchildren, including three from Ken and Nancy, who became high school sweethearts after meeting in the ninth grade and were married from 1987-2002: Kendall, 23, Lindsey, 21,. A primary outfielder, fluid mover who rounds the ball and reads hops with confidence. While there, he used to play football and baseball. Ken hit the weight room hard following the 1995 season, working to gain more muscle. The switch-hitting Caminiti also became the first player to ever have three games with a home run from each side of the plate,[5] remarkably having entirely done so over a single four game span. "So he called me a couple of times asking me where we could have put it." He said, 'I'm not feeling good,' and he just collapsed, and at that moment everything went like blank. Two calls were placed just after 6 a.m. from Caminiti's cellphone to American Express. After the 1994 season, Caminiti was traded by the Astros, in part to cut payroll and get younger, to the San Diego Padres in a 12-player trade (the biggest trade in terms of number of players moved since 1957),[4] along with Steve Finley, Andjar Cedeo, Roberto Petagine, Brian Williams, and a player to be named later (PTBNL), in exchange for Derek Bell, Doug Brocail, Ricky Gutirrez, Pedro Martnez, Phil Plantier, and Craig Shipley. 308 15K views 1 year ago Ken Caminiti blended brute power and acrobatic defense in his four seasons with the Padres. His debut team was Houston Astros. Ken Caminiti, the National League's most valuable player in 1996 but an admitted steroid user in his playing days and a cocaine user in recent years, died Sunday in the Bronx. The NL MVP in 1996 and an All-Star in 1994 and 96-97, he was also sure handed as he won 3 gold gloves at 3rd base from 1995-97. Kenneth Gene Caminiti (April 21, 1963 - October 10, 2004) was an American third baseman who spent 15 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB) with the Houston Astros (1987-1994, 1999-2000), San Diego Padres (1995-1998), Texas Rangers (2001) and Atlanta Braves (2001). Furthermore, Ken earned a call-up to the Double-A Columbus Astros in 1987. How SI's Tom Verducci got former NL MVP Ken Caminiti . He died of a cocaine and heroin (a speedball) drug overdose on October 10, 2004. On Sept. 14, Caminiti was arrested again after testing positive for cocaine. He died of a cocaine and heroin (a speedball) drug overdose on October 10, 2004. He was also an addict. Injuries took their toll, and Caminiti's batting average fell to .252 in 1998, though he maintained his power numbers. $0.48. She said they had left about $400 in the hotel room the previous day. He, too, had a brother named Glenn and a sister named Carrie. He has a pure loving kind heart personality. Scroll Down and find everything about him. Daughter of Astros star Ken Caminiti writes about racism she witnessed while living in Pecan Grove Nicole Caminiti calls out racism in the Pecan Grove community. This was his fourth violation of probation, and he was sentenced to 180 days in jail but was given credit for his time already served and was released soon. "He lived around the area, so I said, 'Let me call a friend.' Between 8:57 and 9:04 a.m., eight calls were made from Caminiti's cellphone to Romero's mother's apartment. The Houston Astros selected Ken Caminiti in the third round of the amateur draft in 1984. Caminiti is the Padres all-time leader in slugging percentage (.540) and OPS (.924). Good. "I've seen people overdose, when they spit stuff out of their mouth and stuff like that, and that was not happening with him.". Caminiti played professional baseball for 15 seasons, beginning with the Osceola Astros of the Single-A Florida State League in 1985. In 1985, he made his professional baseball debut with the Osceola Astros of the Single-A Florida State League. Men's Ken Caminiti San Diego Padres Authentic White /Brown Home Jersey. He wanted to do a lot of things. Many players, including himself and Caminiti, used steroids to play many baseball games during their time. They were married from November 14, 1987, to December 10, 2002. Birthplace. Free shipping. According to information obtained by ESPN, he received a cash advance of $1,025 from American Express at 6:47 a.m. A day later, Caminiti and Romero flew to New York and checked into a Queens hotel. He was a switch-hitter with a batting average in his career. "Next . [21] Caminiti was also getting mental health therapy from the MLBs Employee Assistance Program, owing to childhood trauma from sexual abuse in middle school, which he had recounted to others participating in rehab sessions that he believed was the driving force into abusing substances (serving as a way to try and turn his mind off from the memories).[22][23]. They were about to marry, but he died unexpectedly. He had two total hits in the series and batted .143. Carlos Collazo. If you don't make mistakes. A switch-hitter, he had a career batting average of .272 with 239 home runs and 983 runs batted in. Ken Caminiti married Nancy Smith on November 14, 1987. Ken Caminiti was born on April 21, 1963, as Kenneth Gene Caminiti. In 1987, he received a call-up to the Double-A Columbus Astros, a minor league baseball team based in Zebulon, North Carolina. "He just wanted to hang out, walk around," Silva said. They might have even tried to solve this problem, but addiction is not a joke. "He just came to talk to my son to try to help him out of running with the wrong crowd, stuff like that," Silva said. Honored with an induction into the Padres Hall of Fame, he had gained the respect of his teammates for his accomplishments as a player and for his passion for the game. As for his nationality, he is an American. He was named the National League (NL) Most Valuable Player (MVP) with San Diego in 1996, and is a member of the Padres Hall of Fame. Birthdate. Playing Through the Pain builds anticipation well in detailing Caminiti's rise and tragic fall, threading in four hundred interviews with everyone from childhood friends to steroid dealers.Caminiti's story is one of the secretschildhood sexual abuse . Browse 686 ken caminiti" baseball stock photos and images available, or start a new search to explore more stock photos and images. ", "He didn't look like he was overdosing," Gonzalez said. In San Diego he reached career highs at the plate by hitting .302 with 26 home runs and 94 RBI in 1995, which rose to .326/40/130 in 1996. According to Romero, she was engaged to marry Kenneth. "He said he thought he was in a unique position to help, because this kid would listen to him," Schaffer said. Moving on to his family, he was born to his father, Lee Caminiti, and his mother, Yvonne. After college, his baseball career as a professional kicked off. [26], After final funeral services held in Solana Beach, California, a San Diego suburb, which were attended by many Padres players, past and present, Caminiti's remains were cremated and were interred at the Cambo Ranch in Sabinal, Texas, which Caminiti co-owned with former teammate Craig Biggio.[27]. Women's Ken Caminiti San Diego Padres Replica Black Holographic Alternate. . [1] In football, he was invited to many all-star games after his senior football season. Oct. 12, 2004. In 1995, he achieved numerous milestones and set career highs with the San Diego squad. Caminiti was plagued with several injuries throughout his tenure in Houston, but he still hit 18 home runs in 1994 which earned him his first All Star Game selection. "He was lonely," Burns said. He was unable to give his all during his second stint with Houston due to a variety of ailments. According to the hotel bill, a call was placed at 8:40 a.m. from Caminiti's room to the Bronx. It's significant for the 6-foot-2 . He also played third base for the Indios de Mayagez along with Wally Joyner in the Puerto Rico Winter League. He told his lawyer that he wanted to mentor young players and make them aware of the impact of alcohol and drug abuse, and help them to avoid the mistakes he had made. Romero, meanwhile, said she began to worry. Ken Caminiti was inducted into the San Diego Padres Hall of Fame on Saturday and his three daughters spoke with Julie Alexandria during Padres Live. Ken Caminiti, whose 15-year big league career ended after a stint with the Atlanta Braves last season, revealed to SI that he won the 1996 National League Most Valuable Player award while on. During this time, he formed part of the nucleus of the Astros offense alongside future Hall of Famers Jeff Bagwell and Craig Biggio, plus Steve Finley and Luis Gonzalez (both of whom ended their careers with over 2500 hits and 300 home runs). Wiki Biography & Celebrity Profiles as wikipedia. "We urged him in very strong terms not to get involved to the point of him actually going to New York, because of the toxic relationship between him and Maria.". Caminiti is a three-time Gold Glove winner who has already been credited with saving two games with his glove. He requested his release from the Rangers,[3] which was granted on July 2. From the time he could hold a ball, Kenny played whatever sport was in season. MLB.TV Buy MLB.TV Buy At Bat MLB . Ken Caminiti was born Kenneth Gene Caminiti on April 21, 1963, in Hanford, California. Ken is survived by his daughters Kendall, Lindsey and Nicole; mother of his children Nancy; his parents; brother. Cam Caminiti is a 2025 OF/LHP, 1B with a 6-1 190 lb. Women's Ken Caminiti San Diego Padres Replica Brown Road Jersey. [24] At 3:36 pm, a 911 call was made while Caminiti was going into cardiac arrest. Explore Ken Caminiti Wiki Age, Height, Biography as Wikipedia, Wife, Family relation. In September 2004, he tested positive for cocaine, and on October 5, 2004, just five days prior to his death, he was taken to a Houston court for violating his probation. "He said he did buy a ring while he was in Phoenix because she liked it but nothing about matrimony at all, no way," Ethington said. He died of a cocaine and heroin (a speedball) drug overdose on October 10, 2004. "[Caminiti] went to use the bathroom while Angel went to buy some chicken," Silva said. Among the first people he visited the day after his release were Albe and Deetta Ethington, Caminiti's friends and neighbors in suburban Houston. "He was sweating a lot, but he looked OK to me," Silva said, "We were laughing. At the time of his death, he was 41 years old. We just went over there.". Free shipping. Their problem led the family to separate. SPONSORED. Kenneth Gene Caminiti Net Worth & Basic source of earning was being a successful American baseball player. At 9:23 a.m., a taxi was dispatched to the hotel. Imperfect Caminiti still terribly missed. In the strike-shortened 1994 season, he set a new career high with 18 home runs, and earned his first All Star Game selection. "We went to buy a phone," Silva said. Download for offline reading, highlight, bookmark or take notes while you read Playing Through the Pain: Ken Caminiti and the Steroids Confession That Changed Baseball Forever. He met Maria Romero, a mother of three, in 2000 when both were patients at the Smithers Center, a drug rehabilitation facility in Manhattan. In 1988, he returned to the minor leagues, and played with the Triple-A Tucson Toros of the Pacific Coast League. Kenneth Gene Caminiti (April 21, 1963 October 10, 2004) was an American third baseman who spent 15 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB) with the Houston Astros (19871994, 19992000), San Diego Padres (19951998), Texas Rangers (2001) and Atlanta Braves (2001). Caminiti, who . I said, 'When are you coming over?' October 11, 2004 / 3:24 AM / AP. Despite playing most of 1996 with a torn right rotator cuff, his performance earned him the National League Most Valuable Player Award. Three days later, he signed with the Atlanta Braves, who moved him across the infield due to the presence of Chipper Jones, and attempted to use Caminiti as a power-hitting first baseman. Ken Caminiti Position: Third Baseman Bats: Both Throws: Right 6-0 , 200lb (183cm, 90kg) Born: April 21, 1963 in Hanford, CA us More bio, uniform, draft, salary info MVP 3x All-Star 3x Gold Glove Silver Slugger 11 11 21 11 11 41 11 Become a Stathead & surf this site ad-free. Cam Caminiti was given jersey No. He was able to keep his good name and best game in all these teams. On October 5, 2004, Ken was admitted to a Houston court because he had violated his probation. Similarly, he was not present on any social media sites because there were none prior to his death. 1997 Upper Deck Collectors Choice Ken Caminiti All Star #21 Graded 8 NM-MT. or Best Offer. Kenneth Gene Caminiti has a net worth of $5.00 million (Estimated) which he earned from his occupation as baseball player. Despite being injured several times during his time with Houston, he hit 18 home runs that year, earning him his first All-Star Game selection. We were talking. He started playing baseball professionally in the late 80s and played on till the early 2000s. In the 1999 National League Division Series against Atlanta and batted .471 with three of his eight hits being home runs. Ken Caminiti breaks into MLB Ken Caminiti made his MLB debut with the Houston Astros in 1987. "We had some money at the hotel and he couldn't find that money," Romero said. During his 15 years as a pro baseball player, Caminiti played with the Houston Astros, Texas Rangers, San Diego Padres, and Atlanta Braves. Ethington and two other friends said Caminiti had several thousand dollars with him when he left Houston to see Romero. After meeting at the park, Silva said the two men hailed a taxi and went to Caminiti's hotel. Ken was an ideal celebrity influencer. His remains were cremated and were interred at the Cambo Ranch in Sabinal, Texas, which he co-owned along with his friend and former teammate Craig Biggio. frame from Scottsdale, AZ who attends Saguaro. Read this book using Google Play Books app on your PC, android, iOS devices. Video Film Room Hub Statcast MLB Network MLB Originals Podcasts. Aug 6, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Padres president Ron Fowler (R) presents the family of former third baseman Ken Caminiti with a plaque honoring his induction into the Padres Hall. Nancy might have thought about it and its effects on their children. How SI's Tom Verducci got former NL MVP Ken Caminiti for a 2002 cover story that blew the lid off baseball's steorid problem once and for all. $59.99 $109.99. NEW YORK - Ken Caminiti, the 1996 National League MVP who later admitted using steroids during his major league career, died Sunday. So, he was American from birth and certification too. [11] He dropped off slightly in 1997, but remained productive, batting .290 with 26 home runs and 90 RBIs, and was voted the National League's starting third baseman for the All Star Game. But he ended up doing direct shoulder lifts and damaged the weakened shoulder, Dave Moretti said. In 2016, he was posthumously elected into the San Diego Padres Hall of Fame. The program was eliminated in May of that year and Caminiti was forced to leave after completing most of the program. The late Ken Caminiti had two tours of duty with the Astros, from 1987-94 and 1999-00. Besides. I was freaking out. By Nick Canepa. He admitted that he used to use steroids when he played baseball, which developed controversies surrounding his awards and plays. Similarly, he played as the third base for Indios De Mayaguez in the Puerto Rico Winter League. We could have gone to Brooklyn. He was slowed by injuries during his second tenure in Houston, and after struggling the first half of 2001 with the Texas Rangers where he hit just .232, he was released and finished his career with the Atlanta Braves, who moved him across the infield in an effort to fulfill their desire for a power-hitting first baseman. Romero said she and Caminiti had not set a wedding date, but planned to "get married, be healthy and be happy.". It was going all good at first as they were pretty happy with their life. With the San Diego team, he achieved several milestones and reached his career highs at that time by hitting .302 with 26 home runs and 94 RBI in 1995, which increased to .326/40/130 in 1996. Also find out how he got rich at the age of 41. Moving on to his family, he was born to his father, Lee Caminiti, and his mother, Yvonne. However, going through the life of Ken Caminiti, we can say that one of the reasons was his struggle with substance abuse. Caminiti, she said, worked out at a gym near their hotel on Friday. https://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/kenneth-gene-caminiti-2068.php. In terms of his educational background, he attended Leigh High School in San Jose and graduated in 1981. Caminiti paid for Romero to fly from Houston to Tampa with two of her children who had been living with the couple. "Then, when [Silva] told me, 'It's Ken Caminiti,' I said, 'You're damn right it is.' 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Let us learn more about this legends life, how he jumped into baseball to make a career out of it, how he became the most valuable player, and how it all came to an end. Ken Caminiti Death: and Cause of Death On October 10, 2004, Ken Caminitidied of non-communicable disease. Ken was one of the best third basemen of his time, and he played Major League Baseball for 15 seasons till the end of his career and, sadly, his life. 11 to start his Scottsdale Saguaro baseball career. Taller and high waisted frame with an athletic look but plenty of growth remaining. Watch. In the early afternoon of October 10, 2004, Caminiti was in the apartment of a friend in The Bronx, New York City. In his debut, he went 2-3 with a home run, a triple, and scored the game-winning run. The future of the NFL combine: Is there really a chance it could end forever? In 2016, he was posthumously elected into the San Diego Padres Hall of Fame. Ran a 7.60 in the sixty yard dash. In an exclusive report by Sports Illustrated, Caminiti says he used the steroids the year he hit a career-best .326 with 40 home runs and drove in 130 runs for the San Diego Padres. Popularly known as the baseball player of United States of America. After his studies were over, he was signed by the Houston Astros as a third-round pick in the amateur draft. Reporter Jeremy Schaap and producer William Weinbaum gathered the above information for a report that originally aired on ESPN's "Outside The Lines. In 1994, 1996, and 1997, he appeared in the All Star Game. Moving on, he met Maria Romero in 2000. Hector Romero is a convicted drug dealer. I wanted him to meet Ken, and he was excited, you know what I'm saying? Preliminary news reports indicated he died of a heart attack, but the autopsy results stated that acute intoxication due to the combined effects of cocaine and opiates caused his death, with coronary artery disease and cardiac hypertrophy (an enlarged heart) as contributing factors. That's fine.' Ethington said Caminiti told him he was traveling that night to see Maria Romero's son, but promised that he would return to pick up his dogs, two yellow labs named Casey and Candy, from Ethington, and take them to Montana for a hunting trip. Throughout his career, Ken Caminiti struggled with drug abuse problems. $69.99 $179.99. Caminiti died at Lincoln Hospital in The Bronx at 6:45 pm. Major League Baseball Player: Switch-hitting Ken Caminiti was a tough as nails 3rd baseman who spent 15 productive years in the Major leagues. He had the finances to help her and she took advantage of that," Burns said. Expand. The cause of death was reported to be a heart attack, according to the preliminary news reports. Caminiti's friends, in fact, worried about violence in the relationship. Romero said she and Caminiti spent the next two days relaxing, shopping and visiting her family. After his retirement, he honestly admitted to using steroids while playing matches in the 1996 season. $69.99 $179.99. We could have gone to Queens. As for his salary during his years as a player, we do not have exact information. Darius Days Bio: Family, Contracts And Net Worth, Gus Johnson Bio: Family, Documentary & Net Worth, Mike Conley Net Worth: Charity & Endorsements, Shaun Livingston Bio: Injuries, NBA Championships, Net Worth & Kids, Jose Altuve Bio: Early Life, Career, Net worth, Personal Life, Andrey Rublev: Early Life, Height, Career, Net worth, Girlfriend. After his honest revelation, the Senate Subcommittee on Consumer Affairs, Foreign Commerce and Tourism called a meeting, and 50 days after that, the baseball players were asked to test for steroids and drugsfirst time in their history. "The Cammy Room," Kevin Towers says. Ken Caminiti was a gritty, larger-than-life Major League ballplayer most notably for the Houston Astros and the San Diego Padres in his 15-year big league career that ended in 2001. First time I'd seen anything like that happen.". During his second tenure with Houston, he could not give his best due to several injuries. Oct 04, 2014 at 1:23 am. "I'd been talking with him every now and then. $200.00. In 1994, 1996, and 1997, he appeared in the All Star Game. Rule Changes Probable Pitchers Starting Lineups Transactions Injury Report World Baseball Classic MLB Draft All-Star Game MLB Pipeline Postseason History. The three-time All-Star played for several major league baseball teams and was named the National League's Most Valuable Player in 1996. He admitted in 1994 to having a problem with alcoholism and checked himself into a rehabilitation center in 2000. He graduated from high school in the year 1981. He was the 1996 National League Most Valuable Player. In addition, he signed a $9.5 million contract with Houston in 1999 and returned as a free agent for two additional seasons. Born In: Hanford, California, United States, children: Kendall Caminiti, Lindsey Caminiti, Nicole Caminiti, place of death: New York, New York, United States, See the events in life of Ken Caminiti in Chronological Order. 1996 Upper Deck Collectors Choice Crash the Game Silver #CG22C Ken Caminiti. Gonzalez said Caminiti and Silva were at his apartment, watching football, when he left to get chicken and beer from a neighborhood store. "He looked familiar to me at first," Gonzalez said. Two years after making a groundbreaking admission of steroid use to Sports Illustrated magazine in 2002, Caminiti died at age 41 of drug-induced cardiac arrest. He finished his career in 2001 with the Atlanta Braves. By then, he had admitted his use of steroids as a player, and he was struggling with substance abuse. Ken was considered one of the very few players who was born to play the game. In his personal life, he married Nancy Smith on November 14, 1987. Both players were homering back and forth. Prior to 1989, the Astros' new manager Art Howe announced that Caminiti would be the starting third baseman. In addition to all of the awards he has won, he was elected into the San Diego Padres Hall of Fame in 2016, which is quite an achievement for any player playing any sport in the world. Skipping Triple-A, Caminiti was called up and made his major league debut at age 24 with the Houston Astros on July 16, 1987. In football, he was invited to many all-star games after his senior football season. He was named the National League (NL) Most Valuable Player (MVP) with San Diego in 1996, and is a member of the Padres Hall of Fame. "He loved her and the kids dearly and this is where he wanted to go.". He seemed like a huge man even though his height was only 6 feet, which was quite average for a baseball player. Ken had a brother named Glenn and a sister named Carrie. Many Padres players attended the event. He starred in football and baseball at Leigh High School in San Jose, California, where he graduated in 1981. His funeral services were held in Solana Beach, California. Caminiti's story is one of the secretschildhood sexual abuse, drug abusethat undid a generous spirit and preternaturally talented ballplayer. 2021. He was a National League MVP in 1996 and participated in All . Men's Ken Caminiti San Diego Padres Authentic Brown Road Jersey. He tested positive for cocaine in September 2004. "Sometimes it was so bad that she would actually strike Ken," Ethington said, "and being the gentleman he was, he never hit back.". Silva said he doesn't know whether Caminiti was using drugs in the bathroom. In February 2003, Caminiti tested positive for cocaine while already on probation for cocaine possession and was ordered to visit a Texas Department of Criminal Justice-operated treatment program. Ken Caminiti was born on April 21, 1963, in Hanford, California as Kenneth Gene Caminiti. Silva met Gonzalez, 41, when both men served time at the Hudson Correctional Facility in upstate New York on drug charges. Caminiti was pronounced dead at 6:45 p.m. Just $3 remained in his wallet. Despite reportedly being offered more money by the Detroit Tigers,[3] Caminiti returned to Houston on a $9.5 million contract with an option for a third year at $5.5 million. Caminiti and Romero met four years earlier when both were patients at the Smithers Center, a drug rehabilitation facility in midtown Manhattan. "That's about it.". He grew up along with his brother Glenn, and a sister, Carrie. Moving on toward his family members, he was born to his father Lee Caminiti, and his mother Yvonne. A Beloved Figure. One highlight of the season was the August 18 game against the Mets in Monterrey, Mexico, which saw him play with dehydration and diarrhea. "Next thing I know, he came out of the bathroom. Romero said Caminiti told her he was coming home, but he never showed. He was 6 feet tall and weighed 90 kg, according to his body measurements. Caminiti died at Lincoln Hospital in The Bronx at 6:45 pm. However, later in their marriage, there were some differences in opinions between the spouses, which made them struggle as a couple. Furthermore, he is a member of the Padres Hall of Fame, which is a huge achievement. No question, the San Diego Padres and Ken Caminiti flourished during their time together. "Ken said he had to catch a plane to Florida," Schaffer said, "and he explained the situation in which he needed to go from Florida to New York to help Maria's son. In terms of education, Ken graduated from Leigh High School in California and enrolled at San Jose State University. Caminiti struggled with substance abuse throughout his career, including steroid use. $29.99. $5.00 shipping. In the early afternoon of October 10, 2004, Caminiti was in the apartment of a friend in The Bronx, New York City.