PHOENIX — The Arizona Diamondbacks issued the following statement on the passing of legendary scout Bill Bryk, who passed away today at the age of 70. Bryk spent the last 11 seasons with the D-backs, including 7 seasons as a Special Assistant to the General Manager. He also spent time with the San Diego Padres and Pittsburgh Pirates organizations as a scouting supervisor, special assignment scout, assistant scouting director, assistant farm director, national crosschecker and pitching coordinator.

An Indiana resident, Bryk was named Midwest Scout of the Year in 2013 and was inducted into the Midwest Scouts Association Hall of Fame. In 2010, he was given the prestigious George Genovese Lifetime Achievement Award by the Professional Baseball Scouts Foundation. The Illinois native was drafted by the Washington Senators in 1969 and also pitched in the Mets organization before embarking on a post-playing career that spanned more than 5 decades.

“Brykie will be remembered not only for his tireless dedication to baseball but more importantly, for his kindness. He filled nearly every role possible in our game, from player, coach and manager to numerous positions in scouting and player development and he left a mark on multiple generations. Our heartfelt thoughts and prayers are with his wife, Jackie, and their entire family during this difficult time.”