Rich Dauer

Richard Fremont Dauer (born July 27, 1952), is a former professional baseball player who played in Major League Baseball with the Baltimore Orioles primarily as an infielder from 1976-85. He played in two World Series with the Orioles. He is currently the first base coach for the Houston Astros.

After high school, Dauer went to community college and played for the Indians of San Bernardino Valley College. Later, he transferred to the University of Southern California, where he was an All-American and helped the Trojans win the 1973 and 1974 College World Series.

In 1976, playing for the Rochester Red Wings of the Triple-A International League, Dauer won the batting title with a .336 clip. He was called up by the Orioles that year but struggled, getting only four hits in 39 at bats.

Dauer's struggles continued at the start of 1977, as he had just one hit in his first 41 at bats. He began the year as the Orioles' starting second baseman but soon lost the role to Billy Smith. He credited Brooks Robinson and Lee May with helping him out, saying, "You can't make it in the Majors by yourself." By the end of the year, he had regained the second base job from Smith. He batted .243 with 74 hits, 15 doubles, five home runs, and 25 RBI in 96 games while compiling a .982 fielding percentage at second base.

Dauer participated in the 1979 World Series, when his Orioles, after defeating the California Angels in four games, 3-1, in the 1979 American League Championship Series, lost to the Pittsburgh Pirates in seven games. He also participated in the 1983 World Series, also known as the "The I-95 Series."

Rich Dauer holds two American League single season fielding records for a second baseman, including 86 consecutive errorless games and 425 straight errorless chances, both set in 1978.

Dauer is one of the few baseball players to have won a College World Series and an MLB World Series. In addition, he is also one of the few players to have participated in a MLB World Series as both a player and as a coach.

In 2012, Dauer was inducted into the Baltimore Orioles Hall of Fame, becoming the 12th member of the 1983 championship team to be inducted.

Dauer also has worked as a Minor League coach for five organizations, and managed the Dodgers' Class A San Bernardino Spirit affiliate in 1987. At the major league level, he coached for the Cleveland Indians, Kansas City Royals, Milwaukee Brewers and Colorado Rockies.

On December 19, 2012, he was named Manager of the Padres' Class AA affiliate, the San Antonio Missions.

Former teammate Lenn Sakata credited Dauer with helping him at shortstop in 1981 and '82. "While I was at short, Rich gave me all the help and encouragement I needed. He was one of the best."