Former St. Louis Cardinals slugger Chris Duncan passed away at the age of 38 on Friday after battling brain cancer.
Cardinals play-by-play man Dan McLaughlin announced the terrible news to broadcast partner Jim Edmonds (a former teammate of Duncan’s) and Fox Sports Midwest viewers during Friday night’s game against the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Chris Duncan, a 2006 #STLCards World Series champion, has passed away at the age of 38. Our thoughts are with his friends and family. pic.twitter.com/CBWbvGsayc
— Bally Sports Midwest (@BallySportsMW) September 7, 2019
Jim Edmonds has not said a word on air since Dan McLaughlin delivered the news of his former teammate Chris Duncan's passing.
— Kelli 🎗 (@StlCrdsfn11) September 7, 2019
Duncan — the son of former longtime St. Louis pitching coach Dave Duncan — played for the Cardinals from 2005-2009, and was a member of the 2006 World Series title team. The outfielder/first baseman was a key part of that championship squad as a rookie, with 22 homers and a .952 OPS.
In 2011, Duncan joined sports radio with 101.1 FM- WXOS (ESPN Radio St. Louis). But a year later, he was diagnosed with brain cancer and took time off from the job. In March 2018, Duncan announced on air that the tumor had returned. And in January 2019, Duncan took a permanent leave from WXOS.
Dunc will be taking a permanent leave from 101 ESPN to continue his fight against cancer and focus on health. If you pray, please keep him in your prayers. If you don't, keep him in your thoughts. He is our brother and we miss him deeply@AnthonyStalter @Bettlach101ESPN
— TheTurn101ESPN (@TheTurn_101ESPN) January 7, 2019
Here’s what Anthony Stalter — Duncan’s co-host on “The Turn” — had to say in January regarding the news of Duncan’s permanent leave (via the St. Louis Post-Dispatch):
“It is something that I think … a lot of people here at 101 knew that it was something that probably was going to happen,” Stalter told listeners. “I know many of you (listeners) have asked for updates on Dunc. You’ve asked. You’ve asked how Chris Duncan has been. … This is the time that we decided, at 101, that this was appropriate. It is emotional. … Now, with this more permanent, the update is that basically he’s still fighting. He’s still fighting brain cancer. He’s still fighting this tumor.”
And here’s what WXOSÂ tweeted after Friday’s horrible news:
It’s with an extremely heavy heart that we announce that our former teammate Chris Duncan lost his battle today. He will always be a part of our family at the station and a big part of our community! RIP Dunc we love you! pic.twitter.com/IWqB9z2sAv
— 101 ESPN St. Louis (@101espn) September 7, 2019
[Fox 2 Now; St. Louis Post-Dispatch]
