PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — The Phillies announced Thursday that former infielder Kim Batiste is dead at age 52.
According to The Inquirer and NBC Sports Philadelphia, Batiste died Wednesday in Louisiana following complications from kidney surgery.
Tuesday was the 27-year anniversary of Batiste’s heroics in Game 1 of the 1993 National League Championship series at Veterans Stadium against the mighty Atlanta Braves.
Batiste entered the game in the top of the 9th inning for third baseman Dave Hollins as a defensive replacement with the Phillies leading 3-2. With no outs and a runner on first base, closer Mitch Williams got Mark Lemke to hit into a potential around-the-horn double play. But Batiste committed an error by throwing the ball off target into right field. Two batters later, Atlanta tied the game.
Batiste had a chance to redeem himself in the bottom of the 10th inning with one out and John Kruk on second base.
“(My teammates) was all encouraging me real good,” Batiste later told CBS Sports that night. “They were saying, ‘Hey, don’t worry about what happened in the field. It’s behind you now. Just go out — it’s your turn to hit this inning, so go out and make up for what you did, take your time and be patient.’”
He hit a fast ground ball down the left field line to score Kruk, send The Vet into absolute pandemonium and capture a 1-0 series lead, en route to winning the National League pennant in six games.
The late, great Harry Kalas’ call of that walk-off double still resonates with fans 27 years later.
After Kruk crossed home plate, the Phillies went over to Batiste to celebrate, with pitcher Danny Jackson and outfielder Milt Thompson carrying him on their shoulders off the field.
“With a bunch of guys like that behind you, you can’t let 'em down,” Batiste continued telling CBS.
The next morning, as posted by Inquirer Phillies reporter Matt Breen on Twitter, the front page of the Philadelphia Daily News read “Kim-Back,” and the back page read “Kim Dandy To The Rescue.”
“The Phillies are saddened to hear about the passing of Kim Batiste, a member of the 1993 National League champions,” the organization said in a statement. “Kim will always be remembered in Philadelphia for his 10th-inning base hit to give the Phillies the walk-off win in Game 1 of the 1993 National League Championship Series. The Phillies organization sends its condolences to Kim’s family, friends and teammates.”
Phillies icon Larry Bowa, the third base coach for that 1993 club, tweeted that Batiste was a great individual and tremendous team player.
Former Phillies General Manager, Ruben Amaro Jr., who played a little bit for that memorable team, tweeted, “It’s been difficult to find the right words. God bless, Batty.”
Former Phillies second baseman and current Club Ambassador Mickey Morandini posted on Instagram, "RIP my friend. #KimBatiste #1993Phillies"
Batiste was drafted by the Phillies in the third round of the 1987 MLB Amateur Draft from St. Amant High School in St. Amant, Louisiana. He made his major league debut in September of 1991 and played for the Phillies through 1994. In 1996, he won on the San Francisco Giants.
Batiste played for the Camden Riversharks when they first entered the Independent Atlantic League. The Inquirer noted how Batiste also played for the Atlantic City Surf in that league, as well as spent time in China.
In 1993, Batiste hit .282 in 79 games, with 161 plate appearances. When Hollins was briefly out with an injury during the season, Batiste filled in. He also hit a walk-off grand slam against the Mets on Aug. 13 of that season.
The night of Sept. 28, when the Phillies clinched the division at Pittsburgh’s Three Rivers Stadium, Batiste told Phillies broadcaster Chris Wheeler on PHL17, “Maybe I didn’t get a lot of playing time, but I still got in, did what I had to do, and I was very happy and satisfied about helping the team to get where we at right now and hopefully we can go farther.”
They were able to go farther, and Kim Batiste played an important part in that happening.