Rich Dauer, an infielder who played a decade in the major leagues and won a World Series as a player with Baltimore and as a coach with Houston, has died. He was 72.
The Orioles announced Dauer’s death Monday. They did not announce a cause of death.
“My long time teammate Richie Dauer passes. Was part of the Oriole way, where you didn’t have to be a star to help the O’s win,” Hall of Fame pitcher Jim Palmer said on social media. “Richie had an infectious personality that kept us loose, yet focused. Another reason I was so blessed to be an Oriole for life. RIP.”
Shortly after the Astros won the World Series in 2017, Dauer — their first base coach — had emergency surgery on a blood clot in his brain. MLB.com reported in 2023 that he had recently had a significant stroke. Dauer was born in San Bernardino and graduated from Colton High. A park in Colton is named for him. Dauer played college baseball at San Bernardino Valley College and USC, where he helped the Trojans win national titles in 1972 and 1973.
“Baseball has brought incredible people into my life. Loved him when he coached me and learned from him when he was on my staff in Houston,” former Astros manager A.J. Hinch said. “RIP, my friend. And thank you for being you.”
Dauer was selected in the first round of the 1974 draft and played for the Orioles from 1976-85. He homered to open the scoring in Game 7 of the 1979 World Series against Pittsburgh, but the Pirates came back and won. Baltimore returned to the World Series in 1983 and defeated Philadelphia.
When he retired, Dauer held two American League single-season fielding records for a second baseman with 86 consecutive errorless games and 425 straight errorless chances in 1978.
Dauer entered the Orioles Hall of Fame in 2012 and was also part of the 2021 class for the College Baseball Hall of Fame.