Left-handed pitcher Rheal Cormier passed away Monday from cancer. He spent 16 years in major league baseball. (photo from Baseball New Brunswick)
Canadian pitcher Rheal Cormier passed away on Monday at the age of 53 following a battle with cancer.
The left-handed pitcher was born in Saint-André-LeBlanc near Cap-Pele and spent 16 years in the majors with St. Louis, Montreal, Philadelphia, Cincinnati, and two stints with the Boston Red Sox.
His Phillies teammate, Jim Thome, described the time they played together as “unforgettable.”
While Dan Plesac said he made everyone he played with better and “keep throwing that 3-2 splitter in heaven.”
The Toronto Blue Jays also tweeted their sadness at Cormier’s death following his “courageous battle with cancer.”
We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Canadian Baseball Hall of Famer, Rheal Cormier, after his courageous battle with cancer.
Our hearts go out to Rheal’s family and friends during this difficult time 💙 pic.twitter.com/VqZyFiXZCk
— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) March 8, 2021
In 2008, he became the oldest athlete to represent Canada in competition at the Beijing Olympics at the age of 41.
He was inducted into the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame in 2012.
We are saddened to learn of the passing of former relief pitcher Rheal Cormier after a courageous battle with cancer: https://t.co/VqcNlKcYCf pic.twitter.com/FB6wXMnlW5
— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) March 8, 2021
New Brunswick’s premier has offered his condolences on the death of Canadian baseball legend, Rheal Cormier.
Cormier was from Cap-Pele originally and spent 16 seasons in the majors and he also represented Canada at two Olympic games.
Cormier was called to the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame in 2012 and to the provincial hall a couple of years later.
Premier Blaine Higgs called Rheal Cormier a “kind and generous man” who was proud of his Acadian heritage.
Here is the Premier’s full statement:
Marcia and I were saddened to learn of the passing of former major league pitcher Rhéal Cormier.
Originally from Saint-André-LeBlanc, Rhéal played for 16 seasons in Major League Baseball and pitched for Canada at the Seoul Olympics in 1988 and the Beijing Olympics in 2008. He was the first francophone to pitch in an opening game for the Montreal Expos.
Rhéal was inducted into the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame in 2012 and to the New Brunswick Sports Hall of Fame in 2014.
He was a kind and generous man, proud of his Acadian origin. He is survived by his wife, Lucienne, son Justin and daughter Morgan.
On behalf of all New Brunswickers, I offer my sincerest condolences to Rhéal’s family and friends.
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