Former Blue Jays infielder Damaso Garcia dies at age 63

Damaso Garcia of the Toronto Blue Jays bats during a game vs. the Chicago White Sox at Comiskey Park during the 1986 season. (Ron Vesely/Getty)

Former Toronto Blue Jays infielder Damaso Garcia has died, the team confirmed Wednesday. He was 63.

Details surrounding his death were not immediately available.

The native of Moca, Dominican Republic, played 11 seasons in the MLB, including seven with the Blue Jays, with whom he made two all-star appearances (1984, ’85).

Garcia also won the American League Silver Slugger award in 1982.

After his retirement, Garcia had surgery to remove a malignant brain tumour. The cancer left him with limited mobility and speech, but he still managed to throw out the first pitch prior to a 1992 playoff game.

Originally signed as a free agent by the New York Yankees, Garcia was traded to the Blue Jays in the fall of 1979. The following season, he finished fourth in Rookie of the Year voting after hitting .278 with 46 runs batted in and 13 stolen bases.

In Toronto, he became known for his double-play combination with Tony Fernandez, who made up part of the team’s core of Latin American stars that also included George Bell and Alfredo Griffin.

Garcia’s death comes two months after fellow Dominican Fernandez died at 57 after a prolonged battle with kidney problems.

Over the course of his career, Garcia collected 1,108 hits, 36 home runs, 323 RBI and 203 stolen bases. He also boasted a .283 average across his 1032 games in the majors.

The six-foot-one, 165-pound second baseman also had stints with the Atlanta Braves and Montreal Expos.

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