Only Tug McGraw appeared in more games as a left-handed reliever for the Philadelphia Phillies than Rheal Cormier (Cap-Pele, NB), who was elected to the Canadian Hall of Fame in St. Marys, Ont., in 2012.

April 6, 2021

By Danny Gallagher and Bob Elliott

Canadian Baseball Network

Bill Saunders was close to Rheal Cormier.

You can’t get much closer than scrunched inside a deer stand.

Cormier took aim, fired and missed the deer.

“I told him ‘We were so close, you probably could have hit the deer with a baseball,” Saunders said the day of Cormier’s funeral. The 16-year veteran, who pitched 1,221 2/3 innings in the majors, died March 8 at the unfair age of 53.

“The thing about Rheal was that he was good, I don’t mean a good pitcher -- everyone knew that -- he was just a good guy, I mean a good guy,” said Saunders, a legend around New Brunswick diamonds and the man who drove Matt Stairs to his tryout camp with the Montreal Expos in 1989.

Rheal after being picked up by the Marysville Sutherland Royals in 1985

Saunders, who was coaching the Marysville Royals, a bedroom community of Fredericton picked up Cormier from Moncton to pitch for him in the 1985 Atlantic championship in Fredericton. Teams would battle for the right to go to the nationals in Kentville, N.S.

Cormier’s team won, but he did not make the trip as he was recruited by Woodstock, representing New Brunswick in a Bison tournament (juvenile age) in British Columbia.

The Cap-Pele native pitched in the New Brunswick senior league for Moncton under coach Art Pontarelli, who coached at the Community College of Rhode Island Knights in Warwick, R.I. When Pontarazelli left for home and Rhode Island, he took Cormier with him.

In 1987, Cormier was given the start for Canada to face an Italian team that was loaded with Italian Americans with the winner heading to the 1988 Olympics. He went 6 2/3 scoreless, allowing four hits. He went that far despite the fact that play was interrupted by a lengthy rain delay after a couple of innings.

Coach Bernie Beckman told Cormier he did not want to injure his arm and wanted to pitch someone else when play resumed. Cormier replied “I came here to pitch one game -- I’m pitching.”

Italy? Italy?

Ah, yes that would be the same country that eliminated Canada by a 6-2 score at the Rogers Centre in the 2009 World Baseball Classic. That would be the same country that thumped Canada 14-4 at the 2013 WBC at Chase Field in Phoenix.

* * *

Cormier was named a Junior College First-Team All-American both years, helping Rhode Island to a third place finish at the Junior College World Series in 1988 and he was selected to the All Junior College World Series team.

In his two years, he became the career leader in wins (19), innings pitched (168), earned run average (1.13) and strikeouts (226). He’s also the single season record holder in starts (15), wins (12), innings pitched (96) and strikeouts (147). He graduated CCRI with a 19-1 record.

In 2012, Cormier’s No. 20 was retired -- the first number to be retired in school history. At the ceremony three framed jerseys were on display. One went to Cormier. The other two went CCRI’s Lincoln and Warwick campuses.

St. Louis Cardinals scout Joe Rigoli convinced his club to chose Cormier in the sixth round of the 1988 draft.

On the night of Aug. 15, 1991, Cormier made his debut, working six innings and allowing one run, to record the win in a 4-1 Cards’ decision over the New York Mets before 32,096. He allowed a Howard Johnson double, a Gregg Jefferies triple and five singles.

Saunders visited Pittsburgh’s PNC Stadium in 2003, when the Phillies were in town to see both New Brunswickers in one trip. Saunders sent a note down to the Pirates dugout “To come to Cormier’s hotel room after the game.”

“I get to the hotel and there are all these Phillies fans,” Saunders said. “We heard one say, ‘Rheal Cormier came through here and Matt Stairs was with him.’ Rheal took Matt and I back to the room. It was pretty exciting times.”

They discussed fishing for salmon, playing against the Windsor Chiefs and other sandlot memories.

New Brunswick is looked upon as a weak sister at the nationals by provincial giants like British Columbia, Ontario, Quebec and Alberta. Canada’s all-time home run leader is Larry Walker (Maple Ridge, BC) and second is Joey Votto (Etobicoke, Ont.).

The all-time leader in appearances is Paul Quantrill (Port Hope, Ont.). Third in career home runs among Canadians is Stairs, while second in appearances is Cormier ... the New Brunswick pair.

“That’s good, but we need indoor facilities to catch up to places in BC and Windsor,” said Saunders.

New Brunswick’s best: RHP Jason Dickson (Chatham, NB), slugger Matt Stairs (Fredericton, NB), coach Bill Saunders (Marysville, NB) and Rheal in 2013

* * *

A story which perfectly illustrates the kind of person Cormier was took place when he was with the Red Sox. On April 24, 1999, Boston was hosting the Cleveland Indians. The teams had met the previous October in the playoffs. On this night there were two bench-clearing brawls.

Cleveland starter Jared Wright hit Red Sox Darren Lewis in the right shoulder. Lewis stood at home plate and shouted at Wright who challenged Lewis. Lewis and Wright were ejected after exchanging punches.

With Cleveland down 6-5 in the sixth, Cormier faced Thome. The year before Cormier had gone to spring training with the Indians but didn’t make the club. He did make a friend in Thome, hunting and fishing together. Cormier attended Thome’s bachelor party.

No matter that they were pals. Corimer was sticking up for Lewis, so in retaliation, he hit Thome with a pitch in the ribs. This set off the second brawl as Thome charged the mound. The 5-foot-10, 185-pound Cormier sidestepped the hard-charging 6-foot-4, 250-pound Thome, who went flying over the mound, landing on his back. Thome may be in the Hall of Fame, but he did not expect the Shediac Shuffle.

Fernando Montes, Cleveland strength coach, told Thome after the game “you let the program down.” Boston catcher Jason Varitek tackled David Justice as both Thome and Cormier were ejected.

And in conclusion, Thome and his wife were standing outside Fenway waiting for a cab to the hotel. Cormier pulled up his car and gave them a ride. to the hotel.

* * *

About three or four years ago I took my son, Bob, and grandson, Xavier, to see the Moncton Fisher Cats play a senior game. We heard this from the announcer in the second inning “Now batting Patrice Cormier.” I quickly pulled out my phone and forgetting momentarily about Cormier’s famous sense of humour, sent Rheal a text:

“Am at a Moncton senior game, is Patrice Cormier any relation to you?”

His reply was “Bobby the whole Moncton lineup is related to me.”

* * *

Cormier made eight post-season appearances for the Red Sox both in 1995 against Cleveland and in 1999 facing Cleveland and the New York Yankees. He allowed one run and struck out 10 in 8 1/3 innings.

As a starter, he was as 33-36 with a 4.25 ERA in 108 starts, fanning 378 in 631 1/3 innings with the Cardinals, Red Sox and the Montreal Expos. Out of the bullpen for the Cards, Red Sox, Expos, Phillies and Cincinnati Reds, he was 37-28 with a 3.80 ERA in 576 games with 382 whiffs in 590 1/3 innings.

Enough about the numbers ... we talked to Hall of Famers, executives, a high school student and teammates, including one who told of being ripped by his manager ... half an hour later Rheal called a players-only team meeting to stick up for the young player.

* * *

A search for memories and anecdotes this size could not be completed without help from Greg Casterioto (Phillies), Rick Hummel St. Louis Post-Dispatch), Pam Kenn and Kevin Gregg (Red Sox) Larry State and Brian Bartow (Cardinals) and Randal Hendricks (the Coca-Cola of the industry).

Hall of Famer Pat Gillick, Phillies general manager: “Rheal was a professional, a great teammate, a wonderful family man and someone who always wanted to help anyone in his community. He loved to be involved.”

Hall of Famer Larry Walker (Maple Ridge, BC): “Obviously it was a sad day when we lost one of our baseball family members. Although I didn’t know him as well as others he was always a pleasure to be around and was a great man. My heart goes out to his family.”

Alex Agostino (St-Bruno, Que.), former Expos scout, now with Phillies: “I really did not know Rheal well. I met him when we were both with the Expos. He was just a very down to earth, good guy. So sad. He was respected and beloved by teammates.”

Ruben Amaro, former Phillies GM: “Rheal and I used to joke around with each other about how he dominated me on the mound. I think I was 2-for-13 with a double and one RBI against him. When we would negotiate contracts he’d always remind me of that. I remember how wonderful a teammate, community guy and family man he was. He and Lucienne are/were a special couple with the kindest hearts.”

Pierre Arsenault (Roberval, Que.) Expos bullpen catcher: “Rheal was a kind and gentle man. On team flights, he would often come to the front of the plane and sit next to me and talk about our upbringings, our families and our season. What made it special was his curiosity about others, he wasn’t one to just talk about himself and his exploits. As a worker, Rheal really focused on his craft. He would always work on something specific with great attention to detail during his bullpen sessions, a good example for young pitchers to follow.

“Rheal had a tendency of speaking French with me but as much as I appreciated the gesture, I would repeatedly tell him to speak English because I couldn’t for the life of me understand his Acadian accent. He never forgot his roots and was proud of where he came from. One spring training I was having diner with my family at a crowded restaurant with Rheal and his family nearby. When we were done eating, I asked for the bill and our server said, ‘There is no bill, Rheal and his family had taken care of it.’ His generosity was never ending and Lucienne was the same as her husband, great, kind people. When I saw him in the locker the next morning and thanked him for diner, he just wanted to waive it off, almost embarrassed, a humble man.”

Brian Bartow, Cardinals publicity director: “I was sad to hear the news about Rheal. He saved CJ Cherre (Cardinals travelling secretary) many a time on our trips into Montreal when it came time to deal with customs agents.”

Chris Begg, Olympic teammate: “Back in 2008 while we were holding our pre-Olympic training camp at the Rogers Centre, I was throwing a bullpen after Rheal and I stood behind the mound watching him go about his business. I remember watching him locate all of his pitches; picking apart the bottom of the zone like a surgeon. It didn’t matter that he had an incredibly successful big-league career. It didn’t matter that he had nothing to prove, at least to us. It didn’t matter that he could throw a bullpen session in his sleep. It. Just. Didn’t. Matter. He was there to do a job. He was a pro. Like most pitchers during their bullpens, he was locked in. Focused. I thought about how this guy, at the tail end of his career, was no ‘better’ than any of us. He didn’t put himself on a pedestal, nor did he treat anyone like they didn’t deserve to be there. He was there, as we all were, to represent the country and win a medal. He wasn’t a ‘big leaguer.’ He was a Canadian. And a damn good one. I was privileged to share a field with Rheal, even if just for a short time, and wear Canada across our chests.

“To his family, thank you for sharing him with our country. If only everyone could have been so lucky to have met Rheal.”

Denis Boucher, Canada’s pitching coach in Bejing: “I met Rheal for the first time in 1984 at the Canadian championships. He was playing for Moncton and I was with Quebec. You could tell right away he was a big leaguer. We then played on the National Team together and saw each other numerous times thru the minors. After his long major league career, I was lucky to have him on my pitching staff in Beijing. Rheal was a hard worker, he always took care of himself and made everybody around him better. He was a great person and good friend.”

Bill Byckowski, Baseball Canada teammate Soeul Olympics: “Rheal pitched us into the 1988 Seoul Olympics. We finished fourth in the Americas and Italy was second in Europe so we played each other in the first game of the 1987 Intercontinental Cup with the winner going to Seoul. He was probably 87-89 MPH as a college pitcher then, but man he competed. We were roommates in Korea once. I’m sitting on one bed, Rheal is on the other. He’s listening to music so loud I can hear it even though his headphones and while he is listening he is reading the bible.”

Ray Carter, past president Baseball Canada: “I was shocked learning of the passing of Rheal causing me to reflect on my favourite time of many spent with him. That was at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Every morning I would have breakfast with he and Lucienne something that I enjoyed immensely. We rarely talked baseball but more about life after baseball, his philosophy, his feelings for his family and others. At that time they were thinking about where they would live upon retirement and they were researching everywhere including BC. I was able to provide them with information on the many areas they were interested in. When you got to know Rheal, you soon realized that though he was a fierce competitor on the field, he really was a kind, gentle and thoughtful soul. I enjoyed him. He was one of my favorites.”

Roger Clemens, Red Sox teammate: “To Rheal’s family, just a short note ... and it’s what all of you already know: Rheal was a wonderful teammate. He would always go out and compete for his team, and teammates. I really enjoyed golfing with him on our few days off. His attitude and love for the game resonated to all of us. A true pro. I really enjoyed seeing his smile and great laugh when we would joke with one another. Thank you for sharing ‘Frenchy’ with all of us! Hugs to all of you from the Clemens Family.”

Frank Coppenbarger, Phillies clubhouse manager and travelling secretary: “Rheal always took the ball, I cannot think of a moment that truly stands out on the field. He was very durable and consistent for sure, as well as was a real family man and often brought his kids to the clubhouse with him.

“I do recall one night in Miami when we were leaving Pro Player Stadium on getaway day. I would always post the bus time then do a sweep to make sure we didn’t forget anyone. Well there was a family/friend room across the hall. Somehow I got distracted and forgot to check that room. Players with their wives always rode on the staff bus to the airport. I didn’t notice but somehow we departed for the airport and forgot Rheal and Lucienne. Fortunately they were still able to catch the players only bus. Rheal wasn’t very happy with me and phoned me to express his displeasure. Fortunately he got over it quickly. I felt bad but it was just an oversight. Gone way too soon.”

Dan Duquette, former Red Sox GM: “I saw Rheal Cormier in the summer 1987 when he and Denis Boucher were pitching for Team Canada and immediately took a personal interest in him when I noticed his hometown was Moncton, which is where my great grandmother Marie Elodie Bourque came from before marrying Phillip LeBlanc and coming to the US. Rheal was one of the most dependable relievers that I have had in my career in that he was physically dependable and available to pitch whenever and in whatever role the manager called. Every night he gave the team the best he had. He helped us advance to the playoffs in Boston in 1995 and the LCS in 1999 where his performance was nails as he didn’t allow a run to the Yankees in four appearances. May God Bless Rheal; he is a terrific role model for future Canadian ball players.”

Jeff Fassero, Expos teammate: “Rheal was one of the best teammates that I ever had. His two children were the same age as my youngest two, so we did a lot together when we were together as teammates. He will be deeply missed.”

Darrin Fletcher, Expos teammate: “My wife (Shelia) and his wife got along real well. Rheal had a nice loose arm action. He was a heck of a hitter for a pitcher (three seasons batting over .200 as a starting pitcher, .188 lifetime.). One thing I learned from him was the Cajuns in Louisiana came from Acadia which is where he was from. He was well respected. A lot of fans would come up to him and he’d slip into English-to-French-to English-to French. He was a very educated guy. He always liked to laugh and always had a smile on his face. I never saw him after we retired. I had always hoped that the Blue Jays would use him at one of their camps.”

Aaron Fultz, Phillies teammate: “Rheal was a great teammate and mentor for me when were together in Philadelphia. I could pick his brain about situations on how to pitch guys. On top of how good of a teammate he was, Rheal was a better person. My wife and I were able to go on vacation and stay with him and his family in Utah. He actually taught me how to ski. He was a great person who genuinely cared about other people.”

Peter Gammons, Hall of Fame scribe: “Rheal was a favorite of mine. His teammates called him “Frenchy,” but I knew his town in New Brunswick was Acadian, not French. He once asked me ‘Do you think I’m the greatest Acadian pitcher in baseball history?’ No doubt. Anytime Acadian and Dan Plesac are in the same pen ...”

Tom Gordon, Red Sox and Phillies teammmate: “I just received this and I’m deeply saddened by this news. Rheal was my friend and my teammate. He was an awesome teammate. He was fun to be around, treating everyone with great respect. He showed professionalism and had that huge. We called Rheal Frenchy. He will be missed I am sad to say. But I’m one of his teammates that appreciate our time together and the friendship. Sorry to hear about the loss of a great man and friend as well as his family’s loss. Keep God first.”

Paul Hagen, Hall of Fame scribe: “His first year with the Phillies, I wrote a story on him. I asked what I thought was a pretty obvious question: Why baseball instead of hockey? He said his family couldn’t afford hockey equipment and said that they lived in a house so old and dilapidated that in the winter you could feel wind blowing through cracks in the walls. Rheal said he couldn’t remember the name of the street they lived on because they called it ‘P-P Street’ ... P as in poor. I’m not sure I ever met a player who had more post-career success that had nothing to do with baseball (other than contacts he made). He explained it to me once during an alumni weekend but it went over my head, something to do with investments.”

Greg Hamilton, coach and director of National Teams, Baseball Canada: “After a storied professional career, Rheal spent the spring and early summer months of 2008 preparing to play for Canada in the Summer Olympic Games in China. His presence in our clubhouse and pride in the Canadian uniform was evident from the time he joined our Olympic Team in Raleigh, NC for a pre-Olympic series against Team USA. While his pro accomplishments afforded him instant respect amongst his peers, it was his genuine desire to represent his country and compete for Gold that reinforced his position as a highly respected on field and clubhouse leader. Rheal’s character truly embodied the essence of the Olympic Spirit of competition and commitment to excellence on and off the playing field.”

Ah that would be pictures of a pair of double-A Arkansas farmhands in the St. Louis Cardinals system, with Rheal Cormier posing stone faced as a right-hander and Rich Hoffman pretending he is a lefty.

Rich Hoffman, teammate in St. Louis minor-league system: “Rheal and I were on the same team at double-A Arkansas. One day we arrived at the field and it was the picture day for baseball cards. Rheal came to my locker as I was putting on my uniform and said ‘Rich, I have a great idea, I want to take my card photo wearing your glove and you can take your photo wearing mine.’ I said that will look awful odd because on my card it says I’m a right handed pitcher and on your card it says you are a lefty. Rheal, said ‘exactly and someday if one of us makes it to the big leagues and has a real successful career these cards will be worth a fortune because they look like a misprint. Can you say collector’s item?’ Then, 26 years later at my 50th birthday celebration in New York he presented me with the two cards framed.

“In the spring of 1990 we were in the Cardinals camp running sprints in the outfield and I was struggling with the Florida heat. Rheal sprinted by me like I was standing still (I regularly was able to run with him stride for stride). He nonchalantly looked over his shoulder and said ‘suck it up buttercup.’ I could not stop laughing. Then for about the next five games whenever I was starting he would put a buttercup candy in my locker to motivate me. He wanted me to get better and pushed me in his own funny way. That’s Rheal style!”

Dave Hollins, Phillies teammate: “What a tragedy. He was as good a teammate as you could have. He was a left-handed bullpen guy, a Canadian ... I didn’t know what a great athlete he was until the last five years we’ve been going to Fantasy Camp ... he could golf, run, hit. He could do anything. And the last day we faced the campers he was throwing close to 90 MPH with a nasty curve. Physically when you watched him it was ‘Wow, what an athlete.’ I was shocked when I found out he was sick. He was one of our best teammates. My heart goes out his family.”

Mike Johnson (Edmonton, Alta.), Owner of 5 Tool Fieldhouse, 2008 Olympics teammate: “My memory of him is that of a down to earth guy, who I became instant friends with in Beijing. A guy who has done almost everything in the game, but came to the National Team with no chip on his shoulder, no ego. A true Canadian who was proud to don the Maple Leaf. Seeing how proud he was to play for Canada in the Olympics and have his family there to share in the experience was something I won’t forget. Rheal was an amazing person, teammate, husband, son and father. He was a player that aspiring players like myself at the time, wanted to emulate, and hoped to accomplish a fraction of what he was able to attain in the game.”

Jeff Juden, Expos teammate: “Frenchy was a great teammate. He had a great competitive spirit. He was a laid back family man off the field and a great competitor between the lines. We enjoyed playing some golf together and he got along well with everyone. A great friend that will be sadly missed.’’

Mike Kozak (Burlington, Ont.), Expos assistant trainer: “Rheal was an athletic trainer’s perfect pitcher. He was a great person and he stayed healthy. I always admired his pleasure to represent French Canadians in the game.”

Rheal with coach Bill Saunders in 1987

Andy Levine, father of grade 10 student Asher Levine of Park City Utah: “Asher and Rheal had a really neat friendship. How often does a big league pitcher throw batting practice and give pitching lessons to a 16 year old? Rheal was such a humble guy. Ego never came into it, he was one of the guys, but with a huge, huge heart.

“He loved joking around with Ash throwing batting practice especially when throwing his change-up after multiple fastballs. If Ash bit on it and swung early, Rheal starting dancing and talking smack. So funny to watch and be a part of. So many great times with Rheal, but what I will most cherish was the time he spent with my son. For that I will always be eternally grateful.”

RHP-INF Asher Levine, 16: “My dad knew Rheal and mentioned that I played ball. So Rheal offerred to throw me batting practice for a solid few weeks (about nine months ago). Our hourses were probably about three minutes apart. He taught me to have fun with it and get my reps in. Most of what he said was about the mental aspects, not too much technical. My head coach (David Feasler) was thrilled I was working with Rheal. We’d go to my coach’s Park City Academy and Rheal would throw me five or six fastballs in a row. Then he’d mix in a knuckleball, curve or a change. I’d miss it by about three feet and he would tease me. My parents told me about his passing. I was upset. He was very young. I definitely thought of him our first practice after I received the news.”

Joe Magrane, Cardinals teammate: “Frenchy was a kind and low key kid when he first came up. He was fun to be around and a quick study. When he got on the mound, out came the heart of a lion.”

Ken Mandel, scibe, mlb.com, who covered the Phillies 2002-08: “He was probably the first player I got to meet my first year on the beat. I was having a bad year and he was having a bad year. I’d be eating alone and feeling like I didn’t belong. You don’t become friends with players -- until you do. You kept your distance, but Rheal was a guy I could go to, to get questions answered. He’d say, ‘I can’t be quoted but you should talk to this guy.’

“I remember Canada beat Team USA (2006) in the WBC and when Rheal came back he said ‘We shocked the world.’ He was so proud of that and being Canadian. He was the best golfer and the best runner on the Phillies plus he loved his badminton. He’d call once in while in the off season to see how I was. Once I found a Rheal Cormier baseball card in the basement. I sent him a text and asked if I should keep it. The answer came back ‘it’s worthless.’ My friend Tom went to the Phillies Fantasy camp two years ago. Tom and Rheal sent me a picture of the two of them. Tom and I play vintage ball together, so Tom and I had our picture taken and sent it to Rheal.”

Ron McClain, Expo trainer: “I thought he was very serious about the art of pitching. Rheal was a hard worker and always in great condition. He always took the ball and never had any excuses. He loved playing in Montreal. He was a bright player and was very funny as well. He was always happy and full of life.”

Brooks McNiven (North Vancouver, BC), Team Canada teammate 2008 Olympics: “Rheal’s passing is certainly very tragic. He was a good baseball person gone to soon. I only played with him at 2008 Olympics. I wasn’t as close with him as some guys. The one thing I remember is being in Toronto before we headed to Beijing and he took us all out for dinner at The Keg. He and Chris Retisma were the two veteran leaders on that team and they certainly took care of us younger guys. Between the two of them they took on the role of team leaders and put together a few things to bring us closer together before we headed off to the Olympics.”

Barry Meister, agent: “From the day he got to the big leagues until the day he died I represented Rheal. The year he was promoted to the Cardinals 40-man roster and he called asking questions about the media guide. I told him ‘Don’t worry, they will give you prompts like What’s your favorite food, your favorite actor.’ Well, I don’t know what the prompt was, but Rheal who worked at a 7-11 store cutting wood and stocking shelves tells them he’s a lumberjack. And they print it. So for months I get calls from media outlets asking if they can do a story about the lumberjack turned major leaguer.

“I loved Rheal. The four of us became close friends, Lucienne and Rheal, my wife Heidi and myself, we took vacations together. One time we go on a cruise, Denny Neagle, Dave Parker, Jason Bates and their wives back in the late 1980s. My wife asks is there another way to say ‘thank you’ in French other than ‘Merci.’ Rheal answers ‘ferme le bouche’ which of course means ‘shut your mouth.’ He didn’t tell us until the last day. We laughed. One time we went to a secluded beech realize we only have 35 minutes to get back to the ship. Lucienne said ‘Get on the shuttle, hurry.” And Rheal answers ‘we’re not going anywhere until we get another Black Storm (dark rum and ginger beer). He was willing to miss the ship, but he was not missing last call. The world is now a darker place.”

Greg O’Halloran (Mississauga, Ont.), Team Canada teammate: “Rheal loved to talk, loved to laugh and was an easy guy to be around. I told him we were coming to Moncton for the Canada Cup in 2019. He came to the park and then to the hotel to speak to three pitchers -- Campbell Ellis (Georgetown, Ont.) Steve Phillips (Vaughan, Ont.) and my son Connor. He spoke candidly saying ‘I wasn’t the greatest athlete, but I wanted to take a chance.’ He told them how tough the road was, how he learned the split finger. The kids asked lots of questions. You would never know he played 16 years in the majors. He was very self-deprecating.

“One spring I was with the Marlins and we went to Fort Myers to play the Red Sox. Both Stairs and Cormier were there. Roger Clemens was pitching and they told me not to take a big cut. I took a big hack and missed. Clemens’ next pitch was inside ... just missed my hip. I stepped out and could hear Rheal laughing at the top of his lungs.”

Jose Oquendo, Cardinals teammate: “He was a great person. Oh, wow! That’s a big surprise. You’ve almost got me speechless. He had a good idea of how to pitch. He could compete with the best and he got the best out of his ability. He was a smart player. He didn’t have the 90-plus high fastball but he knew how to get people out. He made hitters swing the bat and played to his defence.”

Claude Pelletier (Ste-Lazare, Que.), Mets scout: “The first time I saw Rheal was at the 1989 Florida State League All Star game that in Vero Beach. He was part of the St. Louis Cardinals organization and Marc Griffin (Quebec City, Que.) represented the Los Angeles Dodgers. Cormier came on in relief. Griffin won the MVP.”

Dan Plesac, Phillies teammate: “I played with Rheal for two seasons in Philadelphia but it felt like many more. We were the two old lefties in the pen and I loved every minute with him. He was one of my all-time favorite teammates and had a heart of gold. One thing that really stood out about Rheal was how much he cared about his teammates. He always wanted to make sure that everyone was going about their business the right way. He was very respectful of everyone in the clubhouse, from the bat boy all the way up to the manager. And he loved to compete on the mound.”

Luis Pujols, Expos coach: “I remember that he was a small left-handed pitcher. He didn’t have an overpowering fastball but had great control. He was also a very quiet guy.’’

Chris Reitsma (Calgary, Alta.), Bejing Olympic teammate: “It was so sad to here about Rheal. I played with him on the Olympic team with him in 2008 and played against him a bunch in the National League East. Rheal always had a smile on his face when greeting a fellow Canadian from an opposing team during batting practice. He was calm and cool under pressure and never seemed stressed out or overwhelmed. Rheal was kind hearted and fun loving. He was a hard worker that could run for days. He competed every day.”

Scott Richmond (North Vancouver, BC), a teammate with the Olympic team: “It’s super sad. I had no idea he was ill. It took him very quick which is horrible. I met him a few times and don’t have any standout memories except for the fact that he was from New Brunswick and my dad was living there at the time so we started talking about that and I remember him being a most genuine person with great stories. He was always there to help a young guy out. He talked to my dad one night for hours and it was a really cool time for him. He will be missed dearly and I hope his family is doing OK.”

Scott Rolen, Phillies teammate: “The amount of respect that I have for Frenchy as a teammate is through the roof. He was a strong true professional. I was quite young when we were on the same team and he was a great professional role model for me. It’s awful that this has happened and he’s gone so young. Frenchy did his job. He was solid as a person. He was solid as a pitcher. He did his job every day and was great to have as a teammate.”

Tim Scott, Expos teammate: “I just know he was a great teammate and I know he left a lot of pressure wanting to do well because he was Canadian.’’

Mike Stanley, Red Sox teammate: “I’ll always remember Frenchie as one of the most competitive teammates I ever played with in Boston ... or anywhere. He cared about winning and had a fearless attitude in going about it.”

Ugueth Urbina, Expos teammate: “That is unfortunate news about Rheal. May he rest in peace.’’

Chase Utley, Phillies teammate: “Rheal was a special person to have on our team, there’s no doubt about that. But what sticks out in my mind when I think back to our time together in Philadelphia was his athleticism. Whether it was his fielding on the mound or even his approach at the plate - in the few times he batted - you knew you were looking at a professional athlete.”

Ed Wade, former GM of the Phillies: “Aside from his durability as our ‘long lefty’ out of the bullpen, there are two off-the field events which I believe spoke volumes about what type of person Rheal was. The first took place in 2004 when he and his wife Lucienne became U.S. citizens. I remember that they were sworn in while the team was in Miami in late September and that they then got a great ovation from our fans when we saluted them at Citizens Bank Park during the season’s final home stand. Here’s a guy who loved Canada, represented his country in the Olympics, but also fell in love with the U.S. and all it represented.

“My second memory took place at a Phillies alumni event a few years ago. I was fortunate enough to sit with Rheal and Lucienne at dinner and they spoke about their European travels – much of it by bike — and the love of their home in Utah. It was obvious that they were a family unencumbered by the boundaries of baseball nor the boundaries of nations. Albeit much too short, Rheal lived a life that we’d all love to have.”

Randy Wolf, a Phillies teammate: “Rheal was nine years my elder and when we became teammates in 2001 he took me under his wing. However, Rheal had such an inclusive personality to where he never made me feel like he was a veteran taking a young player under his wing, he just made me feel like I belonged. From phone calls to all the guys in the mid-morning – telling us what time we were going to eat sushi for lunch – to late stumbles home in Montreal getting a cup of poutine on the way, he always wanted everybody involved. He had a passion for work ethic, on both the physical and mental side, and was always available to talk mechanics or how to get certain hitters out. He was a genuine, kind and generous human being that would make you feel better about yourself.

“One story I vividly remember was on one of our morning runs in spring training. Brett Myers was doing his best to impress everybody and running as fast as he could to beat everybody in our distance run. One day, Rheal decided, as the guy 13 years older, that he was gonna end that. Rheal easily blew him out of the water – and I mean easily. Rheal was an absolute freak when it came to running and endurance. Afterward, Rheal and a recruited few (including me) tied and froze all his workout clothes together, hammered his running shoes to the inside of the locker at the Carpenter Complex and Rheal wrote a note, “SLOW DOWN YOUNGSTER”. I’m not sure if Brett ever knew about it, though. Our manager, Larry Bowa, told our clubhouse guy Frank Coppenbarger to take it all down and replace everything before the next day. Now, this was not an example of hazing, as much as that seemed the case. This was actually a show of inclusion. He was letting Brett know he’s one of us, part of the team and the point is to stick together, not to show each other up. Rheal could have smoked everybody on that run every day, but he wanted the group to stick together and stay a unit because that’s what he and a team is all about. He was really an awesome guy.”

Rheal Cormier when he was inducted into the Canadian Baseball Hall in St. Marys, Ont., in 2012.

Elliott: Boucher, Clemens, Duquette, Hollins, Reitsma, Rolen, Wolf recall Rheal Cormier