Toronto Blue Jays: Damaso Garcia passes away at 63 years old

Former Toronto Blue Jays All Star second baseman Damaso Garcia passed away on Wednesday in the Dominican Republic. He was 63 years old.

The Toronto Blue Jays family has been hit hard this year. Former All Star shortstop and four time Blue Jay Tony Fernandez passed away earlier this year at 57 years old due to complications from pneumonia. On Wednesday, former teammate and fellow All Star Damaso Garcia followed his double play partner, passing away at 63 years old.

Garcia was a solid infielder during the first half of the 1980s. Stolen from the Yankees in a trade after the 1979 campaign, Garcia blossomed in Toronto. He became a two time All Star and won the 1982 Silver Slugger with the Blue Jays, a solid hitter with excellent speed and a decent enough glove. However, before the 1987 season, Garcia was traded to the Braves, where his career began to come apart.

He was sidelined for the entire 1987 campaign due to a knee injury. Healthy for the 1988 campaign, Garcia just was not the same player, his speed sapped from the injury. He played just 21 games for Atlanta before being released. Garcia signed with the Dodgers, but did not return to the majors and was released after approximately two months. While he found some success with the Expos in 1989, he was unable to make the Yankees out of spring training the following year and retired.

Over his 11 seasons in the majors, Garcia posted a .283/.309/.371 batting line, hitting 183 doubles and stealing 203 bases. Following his career, Garcia ran a baseball camp in the Dominican Republic for children suffering from hemophilia, a condition that his eldest son suffered from. The camp was supported by the likes of his former teammate Fernandez and Pedro Martinez.

Not everything was perfect for Garcia after his playing days. He had been diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor, and given just six months to live. However, after surgery and chemotherapy, he was able to recover, even throwing out the first pitch of a playoff game in 1992. That tumor and the related procedures left Garcia with speech and mobility issues, as well as a large scar.

Our thoughts go out to the Toronto Blue Jays and the friends and family of Damaso Garcia.