RIP David West

Former Fukuoka Daiei Hawk pitcher David West has passed away from cancer at age 57.  West was a top prospect in the Mets organization in the 1980's who was traded to the Twins in 1989 in the Frank Viola deal.  He spent a couple years with Minnesota, winning a World Series title in 1991 before going to the Phillies in 1993 in time to appear in another World Series.  He and the Phillies parted ways after the 1996 season and he spent 1997 in Japan with the Hawks, going 8-5 in 19 starts with a 6.38(!) ERA.  He returned to North America in 1998 and played in Houston's and Boston's organizations before finishing his career by splitting 1999 between the Dodger's organization and the independent Atlantic League's Lehigh Valley Black Diamonds.  Here's his only Japanese card I have of him (the only other one I know of is from the 1997 BBM Diamond Heroes set):

1997 BBM #244

This one hits a little close to home as he and I are almost exactly the same age - my birthday is just a few days before his.