Former Phillies Catcher, WPEN (97.5 The Fanatic)/Philadelphia Host Darren Daulton Dies At 55

Daulton

Former PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES catcher and BEASLEY Sports WPEN (97.5 THE FANATIC)/PHILADELPHIA "TALKIN' BASEBALL" host DARREN "DUTCH" DAULTON died SUNDAY (8/6) after a battle with a recurrence of brain cancer (glioblastoma) at 55.

DAULTON, the catcher for the colorful 1993 NATIONAL LEAGUE champion PHILLIES who was also on the roster for the 1983 league champions and later played for the 1997 World Champion FLORIDA MARLINS, hosted the seasonal baseball show at THE PHANATIC in 2010-2013 until he was diagnosed with brain tumors; he survived that round and established the DARREN DAULTON FOUNDATION to provide financial assistance to brain cancer patients, only to be diagnosed with a recurrence this year.

"Darren was a true leader of men. The PHILLIES would not have gone to the 1993 WORLD SERIES without his leadership," said PHILLIES Chairman Emeritus BILL GILES in an official statement from the team. "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.'"

"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. (Then-Manager) 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."

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