FOG BLOG SPORTS LOG: NB NATIVE & MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL PITCHER RHEAL CORMIER DIED OF CANCER!

MONCTON NATIVE WHO PITCHED FOR MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL FOR THE PHILLIES AND CARDINALS......RHEAL CORMIER DIED OF CANCER AT THE AGE OF 53........Canadian pitcher Rhéal Cormier, who spent 16 years in the major leagues, died Monday after a battle with cancer.

The native of Moncton, N.B. was 53. The Philadelphia Phillies, one of Cormier's former teams, confirmed his passing.

"We are saddened to learn of the passing of former relief pitcher Rheal Cormier after a courageous battle with cancer," the club tweeted.

The Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame says Cormier ranks second all-time for games pitched by a Canadian with 683.

"I am shocked and saddened to learn of Rheal's passing," said Baseball Canada president Jason Dickson. "He was a tremendous pitcher and competitor who represented our country on the biggest stage. Above all, Rheal was a great person and family man who will be dearly missed."

A sixth-round pick by the St. Louis in 1988, Cormier broke into the big leagues with the Cardinals three years later. After being traded to Boston (1995), Cormier was shipped to the Montreal Expos in 1996.

Cormier spent two years with Montreal before finishing his major-league career with Boston (1999-2000), Philadelphia (2001-06) and Cincinnati (2006-07). For his career, Cormier was 71-64 with a 4.03 earned-run average.