Rich Dauer and his wife lived at a rehab center near Jacksonville, Florida, for around three months.
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 on February 3, 2025, at 72.
Highlights
- Rich Dauer has passed away at 72 on February 3, 2025.
- He was married to Chris King on February 1, 1975. Their married life ended after 50 years.
- Dauer and King had three daughters: Casey, Katies, and Kelsey Hoffman.
The Orioles announced Rich’s death on Monday, but the cause of death was not mentioned. Hall of Famer Jim Palmer poured a small tribute to Rich through his social media by stating,
“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,” “Richie had an infectious personality that kept us loose, yet focused. Another reason I was so blessed to be an Oriole for life. RIP.”
Jim Palmer
Shortly after the Astros won the World Series in 2017, Rich, their first base coach, had emergency surgery on a blood clot in his brain.
As per the MLB.com, he had a significant stroke in 2023. Former Astros manager A.J. Hinch also took to his social media and posted,
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,” “RIP, my friend. And thank you for being you.”
A.J. Hinch
Rich played for the Orioles from 1976 to 1985. He homered to open the scoring in Game 7 of the 1979 World Series against Pittsburgh, but the Pirates returned and won.
Baltimore returned to the World Series in 1983 and defeated Philadelphia.
Dauer entered the Orioles Hall of Fame in 2012. He was also part of the 2021 College Baseball Hall of Fame class and helped Southern California win national titles in 1973 and 1974.
Wife Chris King Is Mourning The Death Of Her Husband, Rich Dauer
Orioles Hall of Famer Rich Dauer, born Richard Fremont Dauer, married Chris King of San Bernardino on February 1, 1975, shortly before the beginning of his MLB career.
Recently, on February 1, 2025, the couple celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary.
Earlier in 2017, when Rich Dauer underwent emergency brain surgery to repair a blood clot in his brain, his wife Chris was amazed by the doctors who saved her husband’s life. She said,
“To have these awesome doctors at Methodist, I’d almost move to Houston because of Methodist Hospital.”
Chris King
In late 2022, Rich suffered a stroke for which he lived at a rehab center in Jacksonville, Florida, with his wife, Chris, for around three months.
However, their married life ended after 50 years following the tragic death of Rich Dauer.
Closed ones and relatives have offered their heartfelt condolences to Dauer’s family and urged them to stay strong in this challenging time.
Rich Dauer Had Three Children With His Wife, Chris King
American baseball infielder and coach Rich Dauer and Chris King were blessed with three children: Casey, Kelsey, and Katie.
Rich’s daughter, Katie Bailey, is a senior manager at merchandising of CrossCountry Mortgage, LLC.
She also served as a Merchandising manager at Links Unlimited and lead coordinator and assistant at Get Well Media.
Bailey completed her graduation from Kent State University in 2011.
She shares one son named Brooks Bailey with her husband, whose identity has not been revealed.
On the other hand, Rich’s second daughter, Kelsey Hoffman Dauer, shares one son and one daughter with her husband.
Earlier in 2023, Kelsey organized a fundraising campaign on GoFundMe after Rich was rushed to ICU, where he was diagnosed with severe and extensive brain injuries.
Rich’s third daughter, Casey Dauer Brothers, attended Brunswick High School and later studied Telecommunications and Broadcast Journalism at the University of Florida.
After graduation, she served as the athletic operations Coordinator. Head Volleyball coach at Whitefield Academy.
She lives in Atlanta, Georgia, and shares one daughter and son with her husband, Dan Brothers, a franchise business consultant at Fab’rik.
Additional Information
- Rich Dauer acted in the 1988 motion picture Stealing Home, where he appeared as the coach of the San Bernardino Spirit.
- Selected in the first round of the 1974 MLB draft in early June, Rich was the 24th overall pick and started his pro career in the Single-A South Atlantic League with the Asheville Tourists.
- He played college baseball for the San Bernardino Valley College Indians and then transferred to the University of Southern California.
