Dennis Mattingly, who founded the Anchorage Bucs as a men's adult league baseball team before turning them into one of the famed franchises of the Alaska Baseball League, passed away at age 63 late Thursday night. Mattingly died of complications from multiple myeloma, an incurable form of bone cancer.
Mattingly had been fighting the disease for several years and had two stem cell transplants, but his battle did not prevent him from serving as general manager of the team he founded until the 2011 season. Through his decades of service, Mattingly helped develop dozens of professional baseball players.
According to a statement released by the Bucs, their beloved general manager passed away peacefully surrounded by friends and family at 11:21 p.m. Thursday.
Bucs Director of Baseball Operations Gary Lichtenstein says a celebration of life will be held in Mattingly's honor sometime next week.
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