Former Toronto Blue Jays second baseman Damaso Garcia, a two-time All-Star in the mid-1980s, died Wednesday in his native Dominican Republic. He was 63.
His son Damaso Jr. confirmed García’s death to The Associated Press. The son said he passed away at 7.15 a.m. in Santo Domingo. He was at home with his wife Haydee Benoit.
Garcia was a career .283 hitter with the New York Yankees, Blue Jays, Atlanta Braves and Montreal Expos from 1978-89. His best season was 1982, when he batted .310 with a career-high 57 stolen bases for the Blue Jays.
Two years after retiring with the Expos, García was diagnosed with a brain tumor and underwent surgery in 1991. He was told he possibly only had six to eight months to live. He recovered, but had to deal with speech and mobility issues afterward.
Garcia had several health problems in recent years, including a stroke, according to his son. He was also dealing with respiratory issues, but the death is not related to COVID-19, Damaso Jr. said.
He is survived by his wife, a daughter and son, and three grandsons.
They will have a service in Santo Domingo on Thursday morning.
First Published: April 16, 2020, 12:17 a.m.