Rheal Cormier was a Canadian professional baseball player who played as a left-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball (MLB) for 16 seasons. He was born on April 23, 1967, in Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada. Cormier began his baseball career in 1988 when he was drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals in the sixth round of the MLB draft.
Cormier made his MLB debut with the Cardinals in 1991 and played for them until 1994. He then played for the Boston Red Sox from 1995 to 1996, the Montreal Expos from 1996 to 2002, the Philadelphia Phillies from 2001 to 2006, and the Cincinnati Reds in 2007. Cormier was known for his ability to pitch effectively as both a starter and a reliever.
Throughout his career, Cormier had a record of 71-64 with an earned run average (ERA) of 4.03. He pitched in 683 games, starting 65 of them, and recorded 760 strikeouts. Cormier was also known for his durability, as he pitched in at least 50 games in eight different seasons.
One of Cormier's most memorable moments came in 2003 when he pitched in the All-Star Game as a member of the Expos. He retired all three batters he faced, including future Hall of Famers Derek Jeter and Manny Ramirez.
Cormier was also known for his philanthropic work off the field. He was involved in several charitable organizations, including the Make-A-Wish Foundation and the Boys and Girls Club of America. In 2006, he was awarded the Roberto Clemente Award, which recognizes players who demonstrate a commitment to giving back to their communities.
After retiring from baseball in 2008, Cormier returned to his hometown of Moncton, where he continued to be involved in charitable work. He also coached youth baseball and served as a mentor to young players.
Sadly, Cormier passed away on March 8, 2021, at the age of 53 after a battle with pancreatic cancer. He was remembered by his former teammates and fans as a talented player and a kind-hearted person who made a positive impact both on and off the field.
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