Joaquín Andújar Dies: Former MLB Pitcher, Four-Time All Star Dead After Battle With Diabetes

Sad news for the St. Louis Cardinals as former major-league pitcher Joaquín Andújar died on Tuesday in the Dominican Republic at 62 years old, after a long battle with diabetes. Andujar was no-doubt, one of the best Dominican players in the 1980s. “Joaquín struggled for years with diabetes and in recent days had deteriorated a lot,” former MLB pitcher Mario Soto explained. “He was hospitalized several times but always came out unscathed. However, he surrendered to the disease that consumed him completely.”

Andújar won 20 games in 1984 and 1985, he was fourth in the race for the Cy Young Award in the National League two times and won a Gold Glove in 1984. In addition, he played with four clubs of the Dominican winter league for 14 years. “Everyone called him crazy because of his way on the mound,” Soto continued. “He was a great competitor and above all, very courageous. No one wanted to have problems with Andujar.”

The beloved former pitcher will be honored in his hometown, San Pedro de Marcoris, on Tuesday and will be buried on Wednesday. Fans, teams and MLB players have all expressed their condolences.