Dr. Ron Taylor, a Canadian former professional baseball player and physician, passed away after a long illness at 87 on June 16, 2025.
His loving wife, Rona Douglas, along with their two children, Drew and Matthew, carry on his legacy.
Dr. Ron was a member of Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame and the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame.
He entered pro baseball in the Cleveland organization in 1956 and made Cleveland’s Opening Day roster in 1962.
However, he was traded to the St. Louis Cardinals, where he earned his first World Series ring in 1964.
The Cardinals traded him to the Houston Astros in 1965, and later, he joined the New York Mets in 1967. He was a key contributor to the Mets in their 1969 World Series Championship.
Later, the Mets sold his contract to the Montreal Expos and released him without bringing him into a game on April 20, 1972.
Afterward, he signed with the San Diego Padres but was ineffective in three of his four appearances in a San Diego uniform.
Dr. Ron entered medical school at the University of Toronto after ending his playing career in 1972. He earned a medical degree in 1977 and subsequently returned to baseball, serving as the team physician for the Toronto Blue Jays.
Ron was the only guy on our staff with postseason experience. He had won a championship with the Cardinals in 1964 and brought a winning mentality. We don’t win the title without Ron Taylor.
Art Shamsky
Dr. Ron Taylor’s Wife Was The Supportive Pillar Behind Him
Rona Douglas played a pivotal role in the life of Dr. Ron Taylor. They met at Toronto’s Mount Sinai Hospital, where Ron operated the S.C. Cooper Sports Medicine Clinic two evenings a week.
Rona was working as a nurse at that time, and their professional connection blossomed into a lifelong partnership.
This one hurts.
— Kevin Glew (@coopincanada) June 16, 2025
Dr. Ron Taylor has died.
I spoke to him many times.
A legendary relief pitcher and later Blue Jays team doctor.
Sending my condolences to his wife, Rona, and sons Drew and Matthew.
I wrote about Dr. Taylor:https://t.co/80SfLgEO2g@CDNBaseballHOF
The couple married on September 26, 1981, and went on to raise two sons, Drew and Matthew.
Their eldest son, Drew, graduated from the University of Michigan and followed in his father’s footsteps. The Toronto Blue Jays signed him in 2006.
He spent two seasons in the Rookie League and later pitched in the independent Frontier League in 2008.
Rona was a steady presence, supporting both her husband’s work and their sons’ ambitions.
Her background in nursing likely provided a strong foundation for the family, blending care and dedication in both their personal and professional pursuits.
While details of Rona’s life remain private, her influence on the Taylor family is undeniable.
As the wife of a pioneering athlete-physician and the mother of a professional baseball player, she played an essential role in their successes.
The World Of Baseball And Medicine Mourns The Passing Of Dr. Ronald Wesley Taylor
Dr. Ron Taylor was renowned for his dual careers in medicine and sports. He was a rare individual who achieved the highest honors in both professional sports and the medical field.
He left an indelible mark both on and off the field, a legacy of excellence, perseverance, and service.
June 16, 2025 (1/2) – RIP Dr. Ron Taylor (1937-2025)
— Today In Dave Stieb History (@DaveStiebToday) June 17, 2025
For 30 years, there wasn’t a #BlueJays player who didn’t seek his advice: having an 11-year ex-MLB pitcher as lead team physician is a really sound move.
“Dr. Baseball” joined the Jays in 1979, the same year as Dave Stieb. pic.twitter.com/UZSZhggHg1
Ron first gained fame as a standout relief pitcher, and his career reached its pinnacle when he earned two World Series rings.
He established himself as one of Canada’s most accomplished baseball players during his playing career.
However, his story took an extraordinary turn when he retired from baseball to pursue a career in medicine. He became a respected surgeon and later served as the team physician for the Toronto Blue Jays.
I might be able to name ten doctors in my graduating class and perhaps fifteen engineers. But I can name all my World Series teammates, both with the Mets and the Cardinals. The pressures we went through…when you win championships like those, you’re like brothers for life. That how we are, we’re all brothers.
Ron Taylor
Ron finally hung up his stethoscope at 76 in June 2014, and his two children produced a documentary film about their father’s life, entitled “Dr. Baseball.“
Beyond his professional achievements, Ron was remembered as a devoted family man, mentor, and ambassador for Canadian baseball.
Furthermore, the Taylor family will soon announce Dr. Ron’s memorial service. He lived with purpose in everything he did, whether saving games or saving lives.
Rest In Peace, Ronald Wesley Taylor.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- Dr. Ron Taylor was born on December 13, 1937, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
- He stood 1.88m tall and weighed about 88kg.
- He also served in the Royal Canadian Air Force.
- The province’s lieutenant governor appointed him as a member of the Order of Ontario in 2005.
