Former St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Joaquin Andujar passed away Tuesday in the Dominican Republic after losing a long fight with diabetes. The 1982 World Series winner was 62.

"Joaquin struggled for years with diabetes and in recent days had deteriorated a lot," former major league pitcher Mario Soto, who works as a special assistant to the general manager in the Cincinnati Reds organization and is president of the Dominican Federation of Professional Baseball Players said.

"He was hospitalized several times but always came out unscathed. However, he surrendered to the disease that consumed him completely."

As noted by ESPN Deportes, Andujar was one of the best Dominican players of the 80s. He was a right-hander who compiled a record of 127-118 with a 3.58 ERA. He was a four-time All-Star in 13 Major League Baseball seasons with the Houston Astros, the Cardinals and the Oakland Athletics.

The report also notes that Andujar went 2-0 with 1.35 ERA and played an instrumental role in the Cardinals winning the 1982 World Series, which they won in seven games. In Game 7, he was on the mound for seven innings, allowing just two runs on his way to pushing his undefeated postseason record to 3-0.

"We are deeply saddened by the loss of one of the best pitchers in Cardinals history," St. Louis chairman Bill DeWitt Jr. said in a statement. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, his friends and his teammates today."

"He was "One Tough Dominican" & a member of our Cardinals family. We loved him & we will miss him. RIP Joaquin Andujar," the Cardinals' official Titter account said.

"The passion and enthusiasm he brought to the game will always be remembered by the fans and players that he played with and played against," the Houston Astros tweeted.