SURPRISE, Ariz. -- Rangers scout Jose Luis Felomina had been battling cancer for a number of years in his native Curacao.
Rangers assistant general manager Mike Daly saw him a few weeks ago. Felomina was in hospice, but every day he changed his shirt, alternating from a blue Rangers T-shirt to a red one to gray.
On Thursday, Felomina passed away in Curacao at the age of 50.
"He was a good man, a great baseball man," Daly said. "He had a passion for the game. He was one of those guys who lived and breathed baseball. He lived in Curacao, knew everybody there and everybody knew him and respected him. He coached down there and scouted down there."
Felomina had worked for the Rangers since 2008.
"The Texas Rangers family is truly saddened by the passing of Jose Luis Felomina," general manager Jon Daniels said Thursday in a team statement. "Jose was a dedicated scout who was outstanding at his job and a great asset to this organization. His grace and continued work ethic as he fought these last couple of years was an example for all of us.
"We send our thoughts and prayers to his family at this difficult time."
Felomina spotted several dynamic Major League talents while working for the Rangers in Curacao beginning in 2008. He began following infielder Jurickson Profar at age 11 and helped the Rangers to sign both he and his younger brother, Juremi. Felomina also helped Texas sign outfield prospect Sherman Lacrus.
"He was very close to Jurickson and Juremi," Daly said. "He knew them for a number of years and he was still close to the family. He was a good man."