A Phillies great has gone too soon.
Former Phillies’ catcher Darren “Dutch” Daulton has died at the age of 55 after a second battle with brain cancer. Daulton played 14 years for the Phillies with 3 of them being all-star seasons. He was the heart and soul of the surprise National League Pennant winning 1993 team. He was honored with an induction onto the Phillies’ Wall of Fame in 2010.
Daulton’s first battle with glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer, lasted from 2013-2015. Although the Philadelphia community must surely be disheartened, Daulton’s death seemed to be evident especially through the comments of former teammate Lenny Dykstra.
Dykstra posted this about a week ago on Twitter,
https://twitter.com/LennyDykstra/status/892073576253280256
He also had some touching statements about the former Phillies’ catcher while on Shark Nation Radio.
“The Philadelphia Phillies family and the world of baseball have lost a warrior. I played with several tough dudes in my career, but Dutch was the toughest. He was the unquestionable leader of our magical 1993 Phillies team that went from last to first, thereby energizing the city of Philadelphia.
His unrelenting toughness had a dramatic effect on the mindset with which we all played. Much of Dutch’s career was spent in Philadelphia, where the team often finished at or near the bottom of the standings. However, that all changed in 1993. We had a feeling in Spring Training that something was different that year, and that feeling proved to be right. Our motley characters, given virtually no chance by the prognosticators, found our way to the World Series. Dutch was always our rock, the guy who saved the ship. And [Jim] Fregosi trusted in him to keep us focused and together. Dutch did not disappoint.”
Former Phillies teammate Curt Shilling also Tweeted out to ask for prayers in Daulton’s fight with cancer.
Please send out thoughts and prayers to my former teammate and dear friend @DarrenDaulton10 .
— Curt Schilling (@gehrig38) July 26, 2017
Daulton also ran the Darren Daulton Foundation which provided financial assistance to those suffering from brain cancer and brain tumors. If you would like to donate you can do so here.
On a more personal note, Daulton and I shared a birthday on January 3rd. I always saw him as a great leader in Phillies’ history. He just seemed to know what baseball was about. I am very saddened by the passing of Dutch.
On behalf of Philly Sports Network, we send our condolences and prayers to the family, friends, and former teammates of a true Phillies legend.
Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
