Baseball lost one of its most beloved figures this week, as former Baltimore Orioles second baseman Rich Dauer passed away at the age of 72. The Orioles announced his passing on Monday, though no cause of death was given.

Dauer, a cornerstone of the Orioles’ infield throughout the late 1970s and early 1980s, spent his entire 10-year MLB career in Baltimore, helping lead the team to two World Series appearances and securing a championship in 1983. His contributions to the game extended well beyond his playing days, as he later became a respected coach and mentor to countless players.

A consummate team player, Dauer wasn’t the flashiest star, but he was the kind of ballplayer that winning teams are built around. Over a decade in Baltimore, he slashed .257/.310/.343 with 43 home runs, but his value couldn’t be measured by statistics alone. He was the steady, dependable presence every successful team needs—an infielder who made the routine plays, a hitter who delivered when it mattered, and a teammate who elevated those around him.

Dauer’s defining moment as a player came in Game 4 of the 1983 World Series, when he notched three hits in a pivotal win over the Philadelphia Phillies. The Orioles went on to clinch the title, the franchise’s last World Series victory to date. For Dauer, who had been part of the team’s heartbreaking 1979 World Series loss to the Pirates, the triumph was particularly sweet.

His impact on the game was recognized long after his retirement, as he was inducted into the Orioles Hall of Fame in 2012 and later enshrined in the College Baseball Hall of Fame in 2021, honoring his success at USC, where he won two College World Series titles.

Dauer’s contributions to baseball didn’t end when he hung up his cleats. He transitioned into coaching, making stops in Cleveland, Kansas City, Milwaukee, and Colorado before eventually serving as the first base coach for the Houston Astros during their 2017 World Series-winning season.

That victory celebration nearly ended in tragedy, as Dauer suffered a life-threatening subdural hematoma during the Astros’ championship parade. Miraculously, he survived and continued to inspire those around him.

Beloved by his teammates and coaches, Dauer was affectionately known as “Wacko” during his playing days in Baltimore—a nod to his fun-loving personality and infectious energy in the clubhouse. Hall of Fame pitcher Jim Palmer, Dauer’s longtime teammate, made it clear just how much his presence meant to the Orioles’ golden years.

“We all loved him because he was Richie Dauer,” Palmer told the *Baltimore Banner.* “If you don’t have teammates like that, I don’t get to the Hall of Fame. We don’t win a lot of games. We don’t go to the World Series. And that’s what the Orioles were about. He’ll be missed because he had such a vibrant personality.”

Rich Dauer wasn’t just a baseball player—he was a competitor, a leader, and a champion. His story is one of perseverance, dedication, and an unwavering love for the game. The city of Baltimore and the baseball world have lost a true icon, but his legacy will continue to inspire generations of players and fans alike.