Former All-Star Daulton has brain cancer

Chris Branch | USA TODAY Sports

Former major leaguer Darren Daulton has brain cancer.

Philadelphia radio station 97.5 FM released a statement that said the former Phillies catcher was diagnosed with a glioblastoma, a form of brain cancer the American Brain Tumor Association calls highly malignant.

Daulton, 51, had hosted a nightly radio show on 97.5 FM before doctors found two tumors in his brain June27. He had surgery July 1 to remove them.

"(Daulton) has returned to his Clearwater-area home to continue recuperating amongst his immediate family and friends," the statement reads. "He will eventually begin treatments in Florida. Darren and his family wish to thank everyone for their loving support."

Kevin Judy, the neurosurgeon who performed Daulton's surgery, termed it a success immediately after the procedure.

According to the MD Anderson Cancer Center, glioblastomas are aggressive and very infiltrative. Judy said after the surgery that Daulton, nicknamed "Dutch," likely would need radiation treatment.

The ABTA lists the survival rate for glioblastoma patients at anywhere from 14 months to three years with standard treatment.

Hall of Fame catcher Gary Carter was diagnosed with a Grade 4 glioblastoma in May 2011 and died in February 2012.

"It saddens me, but I'll still remain optimistic," Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said. "I'm hoping and praying things go well for him. He's got a tough road ahead of him, but I hope it goes well."

Daulton played for the Phillies for 14 seasons and is most remembered for guiding them to the 1993 World Series. He hit 24 home runs that season, while driving in 105 runs.

Daulton has remained beloved by the Phillies fan base, despite off-field troubles during and after his career.

Branch writes for The News Journal in Wilmington, DE