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SAN DIEGO (AP) — San Diego Padres vice president of scouting Don Welke has died. He was 75.
The team says he died Wednesday night in San Diego surrounded by family. No cause was given.
Welke worked in baseball for more than 50 years. He joined the Padres in 2014, following general manager A.J. Preller from the Texas Rangers to San Diego. Welke also worked the Phillies, Dodgers, Orioles, Blue Jays, Royals and Reds.
Welke was instrumental in the Rangers reaching consecutive World Series. He was directly involved in the signings and acquisitions of Adrian Beltre, Jurickson Profar and Elvis Andrus. He also helped sign Dave Stieb, Pat Hentgen and John Olerud.
In a statement, Preller calls Welke a "visionary who knew and loved baseball, and he shared that knowledge and passion with me and countless other scouts throughout his five decades in the game."
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