Former Philadelphia Phillies All Star catcher Darren Daulton has died at the age of 55 after battling brain cancer, the team said on Sunday.
After doctors discovered two brain tumors in 2013, Daulton was later diagnosed with glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer.
Daulton was a key member of the Phillies team that reached the 1993 World Series, losing to the Toronto Blue Jays in six games.
“All of us at the Phillies are saddened to hear of Darren’s passing,” Phillies Chairman David Montgomery said in a statement. “From the day that we drafted him until today, he constantly earned our respect and admiration as both a player and person.
“Our thoughts and prayers go out to his wife, Amanda, his parents, his brother and his four children. (He) was truly ‘one of a kind’ and we will dearly miss him.”
Daulton was known for his strong work ethic and ever-present smile.
“Darren was a true leader of men,” said Phillies chairman emeritus Bill Giles in a statement. “The Phillies would not have gone to the 1993 World Series without his leadership. In addition to being an outstanding clubhouse leader, he was also a fighter. He battled through five knee operations to become an All-Star. I really enjoyed watching him for 14 years in uniform. Darren was a super human being. His teammates loved him. I loved him like he was one of my own. In fact, he called me ‘Uncle Bill.’”
Daulton was selected to the National League All Star team three times in his 14-year career.
In 1997, after 17 years in Philadelphia, Daulton was traded to the Florida Marlins, where he played his final 52 games. But plagued by knee injuries, Daulton was moved to first base and played as a pinch hitter in Florida. After the Marlins won the World Series in 1997, Daulton announced his retirement.
