Darren Daulton, the Philly legend, has passed away yesterday due to brain cancer. Daulton will always be known for his leadership and personality on and off the field. The perfect example of Daulton’s positive attitude was his long battle with cancer ever since July 1st, 2013, when Daulton had two tumors removed from his brain. Many people would had given up on life, especially at age 51. However, Daulton took on the challenge for four long years, and at age 55, he finally lost the battle.
Daulton’s 1993 Postseason Highlights
Besides his four-year battle with brain cancer, Daulton will always be remembered as a three-time all-star and one of the leaders of the 1993 National League Champion Philadelphia Phillies team. Beating an Atlanta Braves team four games to two, a team that had three future Hall of Famers in Tom Glavine, Greg Maddux and John Smoltz. Daulton will always be remembered for his Games Five and Six performances against their division foe Braves.
In Game Five, Daulton hit a lead-off solo home run in the top of the ninth against John Smoltz to make the game 3-0 in the Phillies favor. The home run ended up being a crucial part in the game. Without the home run, the Braves would have won the game in the bottom of the ninth inning. Instead, the Braves tied the game and the Phillies won in extra innings.
In Game Six, Daulton hit a huge two-run double that gave the Phillies’ pitchers enough cushion to preserve the victory and move on to the World Series.
Daulton and the Phillies would eventually loose the 1993 World Series to the Toronto Blue Jays four games to two. Even though the Phillies lost, Daulton would be remembered for his historical Game Four performance in the World Series. Daulton hit the go ahead two-run home run to give the Phillies a 9-7 lead. However, this would not be the only time Daulton hit a home run in a World Series game.
Florida Marlins Postseason Highlight
In the 1997 World Series, as the new member of the Florida Marlins, Daulton would hit a home run in Game Three of the World Series. The Marlins would eventually win the series four games to three against the Cleveland Indians.
Now a World Series Champion, a former All-Star, and a Silver Slugger, Daulton would retire after fourteen seasons in the Major Leagues. For his career, Daulton batted .245 with 137 homer runs and 588 RBI. Despite the numbers, he will always be known for his leadership.
What do Former Teammates Say about Daulton?
Former Phillies teammate Lenny Dykstra describes Daulton as, “Catchers characteristically are the ‘coach on the field.’ Dutch was more than that. He was our anchor and our leader; ensuring that our focus was always between the lines when we played. His stewardship and incredible toughness were the inspiration for that magical year in 1993, when we put it all together, and made baseball fun again in Philly. It was a privilege to have played with him, and to have known him. I will miss him.” (CBS, Philadelphia) Daulton was not only loved by the fans, he was loved by everyone he played with, and that is something nobody will forget.
Darren Daulton, known as Dutch to his teammates, may not be a Hall of Famer by the stats, but as a person he is a Hall of Famer. From clutch hits to continuing to play baseball after five surgeries to being a three-time All-Star to being added to the 2010 Phillies Wall Of Fame, Daulton will always be a Philly Legend.
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