Michael Weiner, the executive director of the Major League Baseball Players’ Association, died Thursday after a prolonged battle with brain cancer. He was 51.

According to a statement released by the MLBPA, Weiner passed away quietly at home in New Jersey surrounded by his loving wife, Diane, and three daughters.

“I am deeply saddened by the passing of Michael Weiner, with whom I had the pleasure of working for many years,” Dodgers president Stan Kasten said in a statement. “I had so much respect for him and admired his leadership of the players and Players Association. He was truly a great individual, a brilliant lawyer and a thoroughly decent person. All of baseball, labor and management, has suffered a great loss. Michael was always viewed as the path to a reasonable resolution. He will be missed. The Dodgers and I send our deepest condolences to Michael’s family.”

Many from around the baseball world expressed their condolences.

“All of Major League Baseball mourns the loss of Michael Weiner, a gentleman, a family man, and an extraordinarily talented professional who earned the trust of his membership and his peers throughout the national pastime,” MLB commissioner Bud Selig said in a statement. “Our strong professional relationship was built on a foundation of respect and a shared commitment to finding fair solutions for our industry. I appreciated Michael’s tireless, thoughtful leadership of the Players and his pivotal role in the prosperous state of Baseball today.

“Michael was a courageous human being, and the final year of his remarkable life inspired so many people in our profession,” Selig continued. “On behalf of Major League Baseball and our 30 Clubs, I extend my deepest condolences to Michael’s wife Diane, their three daughters, his colleagues at the MLBPA and his many friends and admirers throughout the game he served with excellence.”

Said NHLPA Executive Director and former MLBPA Executive Director, Donald Fehr:

“My wife Stephanie and I are enormously saddened to learn of Mike Weiner’s passing today, and our thoughts go out to Diane and their three daughters. Mike was an extraordinary individual in so many ways: as a loving husband and father, as an exceptional union leader and lawyer, and as a great friend to so many. He was an indispensible part of the MLBPA staff for more than two decades, and was the right man to lead the union.

“This is a great loss, for his family, for his friends, for the players, and for everyone who crossed his path.”

RIP, Michael Weiner. Baseball just lost a great man.

— Peter Moylan (@PeterMoylan) November 22, 2013

Also, just a quick note on the passing of Mike Weiner. Very sad news, prayers to his family!

— Mike Piazza (@mikepiazza31) November 22, 2013

@MLB_PLAYERS:Saddened to hear of the passing of an amazing leader and friend, Michael Weiner. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family.

— Nick Punto (@Shredderpunto) November 22, 2013