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Philadelphia Phillies: Darren Daulton Dead at 55

By Brendan Canney

PHILADELPHIA, PA - MAY 15: Former catcher Darren Daulton throws out the first pitch prior to the game between the Cincinnati Reds and Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on May 15, 2016 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Reds defeated the Phillies 9-4. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - MAY 15: Former catcher Darren Daulton throws out the first pitch prior to the game between the Cincinnati Reds and Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on May 15, 2016 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Reds defeated the Phillies 9-4. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /
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Former Philadelphia Phillies catcher Darren Daulton passed away today at the age of 55 after a four-year battle with brain cancer.

“Dutch,” as he was affectionately known to fans and teammates alike, was a three-time all-star who played a total of 14 seasons, almost entirely with the Philadelphia Phillies. The most famous of those years coinciding with a berth in the 1993 World Series.

The Phillies were not able to win it all that year, yet the journey that team took to get there was one etched into the memory of every Phillies fan that experienced it. Those lovable goofballs brought a lot of happiness to this city and its fans.

As a 7-year old kid, I can remember every pitch and swing from that postseason run. It captivated me, beginning a long love affair with baseball, and sports in general.

Darren Daulton won the Silver Slugger award in 1992 while leading the league that year in RBIs. A feat accomplished by only three catchers before him. He is also the only Phillies catcher to record two 100 RBI seasons in team history.

Daulton spent all but 52 games with the Phillies, finishing his career with the Florida Marlins. He was the veteran leader of a World Series team, winning it in his final major league season.

The organization released a statement on his passing:

"“All of us at the Phillies are saddened to hear of Darren’s passing. From the day that we drafted him until today, he constantly earned our respect and admiration as both a player and person,” said Phillies Chairman David Montgomery. “Darren was the face of our franchise in the early 1990’s. Jim Fregosi asked so much of him as catcher, clean-up hitter and team leader. He responded to all three challenges. One of my toughest decisions as team president was to approve his trade to the Marlins in July of 1997. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his wife, Amanda, his parents, his brother and his four children. Dutch was truly “one of a kind” and we will dearly miss him.” – Phillies.mlb.com"

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In 2011 Daulton established the Darren Daulton foundation. In 2013 that organization shifted its philanthropic goal to help provide financial assistance to those who have brain cancer.

Thank you for all the memories Dutch. “Right on; Fight on,” brother.

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