Former MLB outfielder Brian Dayett died Sunday, according to a Facebook post from his former teammate, Jody Davis. He was 68.

Dayett, who played with the New York Yankees and Chicago Cubs in his five-year major-league career, battled Parkinson’s disease.

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“Brian fought a 25 year battle against Parkinson’s Disease, with the loving support of his wife Christine and their two sons,” Davis wrote. “He became critically ill in early 2024 and held on fiercely for an amazing year and a half – to be with those he held dearest and to continue watching baseball, a game which he loved until the end.”

Dayett was drafted by the Yankees in the 16th round of the 1978 draft and made his debut with New York in 1983. He played in the Bronx for two years and was traded to the Cubs before the 1985 season.

Across 218 career MLB games, Dayett hit .258/.316/.427 (average/on-base percentage/slugging percentage) with 14 home runs and 68 RBIs.

He played with the Cubs through the 1987 season and then joined the Nippon Ham Fighters of Nippon Professional Baseball from 1988-1991.

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He returned to the U.S. and began a coaching career in 1997, working in various independent leagues. He managed the Cook County Cheetahs (now the Windy City ThunderBolts) to the 1998 Heartland League title. Over the next few years, he also coached the Michigan Battle Cats, the Tri-City Valley Cats, and the Lexington Legends, according to Newsday.

“We offer our condolences to the friends and family of Brian Dayett who passed away yesterday at the age of 68 due to complications from Parkinson’s disease,” the ThunderBolts posted on X. “Brian spent two seasons as manager (1997-98), leading the Cook County Cheetahs to the 1998 Heartland League title.”

Dayett also served as a special assignment coach for the Texas Rangers from 2012-14.

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Bridget Hyland may be reached at bhyland@njadvancemedia.com.

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