Former MLB pitcher Doug Creek passed away at age 55 on Sunday from complications related to pancreatic cancer, West Virginia’s Journal News reported.
Scott Bullett, a teammate of Creek’s, confirmed the star’s death to the outlet.
“He was a good guy,” Bullett said. “We played against each other in minors. It’s sad to see a guy like Dougie go so soon.”
Vic Holmes, who coached Creek during his time with the Bulldogs, called his death “shocking.” Creek was diagnosed with cancer in April, only three months ago.
In 1987, Creek was named high school baseball player of the year before he began attending Georgia Tech, where he played for the Yellow Jackets.
Creek was drafted into the MLB twice, most recently by the St. Louis Cardinals with whom he played at the start of his MLB career. He would return to the team near the end of his nine years in the major leagues. In between his stints with the Cardinals, Creek played for the San Francisco Giants, Chicago Cubs, Tampa Bay Devil Rays, Seattle Mariners, Toronto Blue Jays, and Detroit Tigers.
During his time with the majors, which concluded in 2005, Creek went 7–14 with a run average of 532 and struck out 292. He also spent time playing in Japan with Hanshin Tiger, where he went 9–1 with a 2.16 ERA.
After leaving the MLB, Creek moved to Tampa Bay, FL, and began working as a charter boat captain. He also competed as an angler on the Redfish Circuit.
“There will never be a day that goes by where I don't miss you,” Creek’s daughter, Aubrey, wrote in an emotional Instagram tribute. “I still can't wrap my head around the fact that you're really gone. It just doesn't feel real. We may have butt heads quite a bit and disagreed on everything under the sun but one thing we did agree on is baseball and our love for it. It made me so happy to share a love for something you were so passionate about.”
Creek is the second MLB pitcher to tragically pass away last weekend after former Diamondbacks relief pitcher Reyes Moronta died suddenly in a “driving accident” near his home in the Dominican Republic.
