Daulton to begin treatment after cancer diagnosis

PHILADELPHIA -- Former Phillies catcher Darren Daulton has been diagnosed with Glioblastoma, a form of brain cancer, his family said in a statement Wednesday.

Daulton has returned home in Clearwater, Fla., where he will begin treatments, his family said in a release to Philadelphia radio station 97.5. Daulton had surgery to remove two brain tumors last Monday.

A leader of the 1993 team that won the National League pennant, Daulton spent parts of 14 seasons with the Phillies, and "Dutch" is still beloved in the city today. The news of his tumors and the more recent diagnosis has upset the Phillies' community.

"It saddens me, but I'll remain optimistic," Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said. "I guess he's in Florida now, and we pray that things go well for him."

The Daulton family stated that Darren thanked everyone and is "deeply touched" by the support he has received in the past few weeks.