Phils '93 NLCS hero Kim Batiste dies at 52

PHILADELPHIA -- Former Phillies infielder Kim Batiste, who went from goat to hero in Game 1 of the 1993 National League Championship Series, died Wednesday at the age of 52.

Inquirer.com reported that Batiste passed away in a Louisiana hospital following complications from emergency kidney surgery.

“The Phillies are saddened to hear about the passing of Kim Batiste, a member of the 1993 National League champions,” the team said in a statement. “Kim will always be remembered in Philadelphia for his 10th-inning base hit to give the Phillies the walk-off win in Game 1 of the 1993 National League Championship Series. The Phillies organization sends its condolences to Kim’s family, friends and teammates.”

Batiste played for the Phillies from 1991-94. He batted .282 with a .734 OPS in 161 plate appearances with the ’93 NL champions. He regularly entered games as a defensive replacement. After he replaced third baseman Dave Hollins in the ninth inning of Game 1 of the NLCS, a Batiste throwing error put runners at the corners with no outs. Atlanta tied the game two batters later, but Batiste redeemed himself with a game-winning double in the 10th inning.