The Kansas City Royals Wednesday morning announced the hall-of-fame pitcher and Royals broadcaster Paul Splittorff has died.

A visitation is set for Monday from 5 to 8 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church at 301 South Woods Chapel Road in Blue Springs.  A funeral mass will take place Tuesday at 11 a.m. at Saint Robert Bellarmine Catholic Church in Blue Springs.

In lieu of flowers, people are asked to make donations to Saint Mary’s Medical Center Foundation in Blue Springs, or in Splittorff’s name to a charity of choice. To honor Splittorff’s memory, the Royals will wear a memorial patch that says “Splitt” on it for the rest of the season.

The team issued this statement: “The Kansas City Royals are deeply saddened to announce the passing of Royals’ Hall of Fame pitcher and broadcaster Paul Splittorff due to complications from melanoma.  The all-time winningest pitcher in franchise history passed away this morning at the family home in Blue Springs, Mo.”

The “Kansas City Star” calls Splittorff  “forever Royal.”

He was the 25th-round draft selection in 1968, the year before Kansas City took the field in its first season.  Up until recently he occupied the broadcast booth offering color commentary for the team broadcasts.

He notched 166 wins, the best in team history.

Splittorff joined the Royals organization in 1968 and compiled a 166-143 record with a 3.81 ERA in 429 games during his 15-year career

He owns the team record for 392 starts and 2,554.2 innings pitched.  Splittorff became Kansas City’s first 20-game winner in 1973 and was inducted into the Royals Hall of Fame in 1987.

A week ago, Splittorff’s family confirmed that he has been admitted to an area hospital and has received treatment for both melanoma and oral cancer.

In addition to his Royals broadcasts,  Splittorff provided analysis Big 12 basketball.

Splittorff is survived by his wife, Lynn, daughter, Jennifer, and son, Jamie.