RAYTOWN, Mo. -- About 1,000 people, including former teammates Frank White and John Mayberry, gathered Friday to remember former major league catcher Darrell Porter as a loving friend.

"He touched people's lives,'' said E.M. Hay, pastor of Noland Road Baptist Church in Independence. "He loved people -- all people, not just people of position and prominence.''

Porter, 50, who played for four major league teams and was the MVP of the 1982 World Series, was found dead late Monday afternoon next to his car in a park. Autopsy results had not yet been released Friday, but authorities have said they do not suspect foul play and have suggested heat may have played a role.

Friday's service at First Baptist Church in Raytown, a suburb of Kansas City, was attended by family, friends and former Royals teammates, including White, Mayberry, Paul Splittorff, Dennis Leonard and Fred Patek. But the service focused on Porter's achievements as a friend, not as a baseball player.

"What a privilege to be a friend of Darrell Porter's,'' said the Rev. Charles Funderburk, associate pastor of the church. "I don't know why Darrell loved me, but he did.''

Jerry Terrell, a former teammate and longtime family friend, recalled a time when Porter unexpectedly purchased a punch bowl that Terrell's wife had wanted.

"In all those things that Darrell did for people, he never once asked for anything in return. Never,'' a tearful Terrell said. "We went back and reminisced and we thought about all the things. He never asked for anything in return.

"So all I've got to say is this: 'Darrell, I love you, man. I really miss you. Thanks for the memories.'''

Porter is survived by his wife, Deanne, and three children -- Lindsey, 20; Jeff, 18; and Ryan, 14. None of them spoke at the funeral. A private graveside service was held later.

Porter broke into the major leagues in 1971 with the Milwaukee Brewers, who traded him to the Royals after the 1976 season. He was an All-Star twice in his four years with Kansas City.

But in 1980, he left spring training and entered a drug rehabilitation clinic. He later chronicled his fight with addiction and recovery in a 1984 book, "Snap Me Perfect! The Darrell Porter Story.''

He returned to the Royals but his production dropped. His average fell to .249 in 1980, but he was a key factor as the Royals reached the World Series for the first time, losing to Philadelphia in six games.

Porter signed with the St. Louis Cardinals after that season as a free agent.

He struggled in his first two seasons with the Cardinals but was the MVP of the National League playoffs and World Series as St. Louis beat Milwaukee in seven games for its ninth title.

He played in his third World Series when the Cardinals lost to the Royals in 1985. He then spent two seasons with the Texas Rangers before retiring in 1987.

In 17 he hit .247 with 188 home runs and 826 RBI.