Houston Astros first base coach Rich Dauer suffered an acute subdural hematoma during the team’s World Series parade. It not only forced him to retire from coaching, but was nearly fatal. On Monday — the day where the Astros unveiled their first championship banner — Dauer returned to throw out the first pitch.
It was quite an emotional scene in Houston.
What a moment. Astros coach Rich Dauer was given a 3% chance to survive after suffering an acute subdural hematoma during the team's World Series parade.
He beat the odds and threw out the first pitch tonight after getting his ring. pic.twitter.com/rWn1qYN9Q1
— ESPN (@espn) April 3, 2018
Dauer played his entire MLB career with the Baltimore Orioles, winning the 1983 World Series. He got into coaching shortly after retiring as a player in 1985.
It’s certainly unfortunate that his career in baseball had to end as it did. But getting to throw out the first pitch during the home opener after a World Series win certainly shows what an impact Dauer made.