PHILADELPHIA – Rheal Cormier, the durable southpaw who spent 16 seasons at the championships and shot remarkably at the Olympics before and after his time in the big leagues, died on Monday. He was 53 years old.
Philadelphia Phillies said Cormier died of cancer at his home in New Brunswick, Canada.
Cormier had a cool spot in Phillies’ history: he was the winning pitcher in the final game Philadelphia won at Veterans Stadium in 2003, and he was also the winner in the first game the Phils won after moving to Citizens Bank Park in 2004 .
Overall, he was 71-64 with two saves and an ERA 4.03 with St. Louis, Boston, Montreal, Philadelphia and Cincinnati. A Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame member, Cormier pitched 683 games – among his countrymen, only Paul Quantrill (841) pitched more in the majors.
Cormier also made other prominent appearances on the mound.
Three years before his major league debut, he launched for Canada at the Seoul Olympics in 1988. Then, in 2008, a year after his last championship game, he played again for Canada at the 2008 Beijing Games – he got ready to the event by launching a senior men’s league.
“Rheal was one of the most vibrant people I had the pleasure of meeting,” said former teammate and Hall of Fame member Jim Thome in a statement released by the Phillies. “He loved baseball, but he always put his family first.”
“Frenchy was the type of guy who would do anything for you and I’m lucky to have called you my friend for many years. Our time together in Philadelphia as teammates was unforgettable. said.
Cormier went 8-0 with an ERA of 1.70 in 65 games for the Phillies in 2003. That was the last season in the majors for another Philadelphia southpaw, longtime reliever Dan Plesac.
“One of my favorite teammates of all time. Big heart, I spent 2 years sitting next to him in the @Phillies bullpen,” tweeted Plesac. “he made everyone he played the best with … keep playing that 3-2 divider into the sky.”
“Frenchy” RIP … Rheal Cormier lost his battle with cancer. One of my favorite teammates of all time. Big heart, spent 2 years sitting next to him in the @Phillies bullpen (2002-2003) … he made everyone with whom he played better … keep throwing that 3-2 divider into the sky. RIP my friend. pic.twitter.com/lGDGBCm8T2
– Dan Plesac (@ Plesac19) March 8, 2021
In 2004, Cormier reached 84 games, a Phillies record for a left-handed pitcher.
Cormier debuted with the Cardinals in 1991 and started at the beginning of his career. He launched his only shutout in 1996 for Expos, a three-game streak against St. Louis.
A left-handed expert in his later years, he finished six games for the Cincinnati in 2007, making his last appearance in the major championships five days before his 40th birthday. He reached the postseason twice, both with Boston.
The Phillies said Cormier became an American citizen on September 22, 2004, during a Philadelphia-Marlins series in Miami.
“I am living the American dream and I feel that I can give back, help the community and be a part of this country,” said Cormier shortly before the ceremony.
The Phillies said Cormier was active at Phillies Charities Inc. during his six years at the club and was involved in teen suicide and drug prevention programs in Canada.
Cormier leaves his wife, Lucienne, son Justin and daughter Morgan.