Dauer slipped and fell the night before the Houston Astros won the World Series. He went on to coach that unforgettable game. However, Dauer was unaware of bleeding in his brain. Dauer collapsed part of the way through the World series parade and was rushed to the hospital. He suffered a subdural hematoma. A neurosurgeon performed an emergency surgery to correct the issue, but the family was told there was a low chance of survival.
The surgery was ultimately successful, but it left Dauer in a coma. Fortunately, he woke three days later. However, in spite of a successful surgery Dauer informed the Astros that he would be retiring in November.