Rich Dauer, a legendary name in Orioles history, passed away on February 3, 2025, at the age of 72. A fixture in Baltimore’s infield for a decade, Dauer played a key role as the starting second baseman in the Orioles’ 1983 World Series-winning team.
The team confirmed his passing but did not disclose the cause of death.
“We mourn the passing of Orioles Hall of Fame second baseman Rich Dauer, who spent his entire 10-year career with the O’s,” the Orioles shared in a heartfelt statement. “We send our deepest sympathies to the Dauer family as well as his many teammates and friends.”
Born in San Bernardino, California, Dauer was selected by the Orioles in the first round of the 1974 draft. He remained loyal to the franchise throughout his entire 12-year professional career before transitioning to coaching.
He also spent 18 seasons as an MLB coach. In 2017, Rich retired after celebrating another championship—this time as the Astros’ first-base coach during their first-ever World Series win.
Dauer leaves behind his wife and three children.
Rich Dauer’s Devoted Wife and Children: Their Role in His 2017 Head Injury and Recovery
Rich and his wife, Chris, built a life together long before his MLB career took off. The couple tied the knot on February 1, 1975, just as Rich was embarking on his journey with the Baltimore Orioles. Over the years, they raised three daughters—Casey Lynn, Kelsey, and Katie—while Dauer spent much of his career making a name for himself in Baltimore.
Looking back on his time with the Orioles, Dauer credited the city and the people around him for shaping his personal life just as much as his professional one. “That’s where I became a man, that’s where I became a father and a good husband,” the late MLB star once shared in an interview. “The people I hung around in Baltimore taught me all that.”
In 2017, Dauer faced one of his toughest battles—not on the field, but for his life. While celebrating the Houston Astros’ World Series win, the coach suffered a subdural hematoma due to a head injury, which required emergency brain surgery. His family stood by him through the ordeal, and in 2023, his daughter Kelsey Hoffman launched a GoFundMe campaign to help cover the mounting medical expenses.
“Our dad’s 40-year-plus baseball career is a true testament to his lifelong commitment of hard work and physical health,” Hoffman wrote. “He is an amazing husband to our mom, Chris, and a father to us three girls and our families. He always put others first; the true definition of a servant leader.”
Chris remained in awe of the medical team that saved her husband’s life, stating, “To have these awesome doctors at Methodist, I’d almost move to Houston because of Methodist Hospital.”
Dauer’s daughters have each built their own careers. Katie works as a senior manager in merchandising at CrossCountry Mortgage, LLC, while Casey pursued a career in media, having attended Brunswick High School before earning a degree in Telecommunications and Broadcast Journalism from the University of Florida.
Dauer’s Net Worth at the Time of His Passing
At the time of his death, Dauer’s wealth was estimated at $1 million. His wealth is expected to be inherited by his children.
