After 60 Years in MLB Baseball, Don Zimmer Gone at 83

05 Jun, 2014

Don Zimmer, a colorful baseball lifer whose career touched such storied franchises as the Brooklyn Dodgers, New York Yankees, Chicago Cubs and Boston Red Sox, died in Florida on Wednesday at age 83, the Tampa Bay Rays said.

The former Major League Baseball player, manager, coach and most recently senior adviser to the Rays, enjoyed a career that spanned more than 60 years.

Zimmer, a stocky man with muscular forearms and a jowly face that brought him the nickname “Popeye”, had battled health issues in recent years and in April underwent heart surgery.

MLB Commissioner Bud Selig in a statement called Zimmer “a memorable contributor to baseball… Don was the kind of person you could only find in the National Pastime.

“On behalf of Major League Baseball and the many clubs that ‘Popeye’ served in a distinguished baseball life, I extend my deepest condolences to Don’s family, friends and his many admirers throughout our game.”

Zimmer broke into the major leagues in 1954 as a infielder with the Dodgers, he was an original member of the New York Mets, he managed the Chicago Cubs and Boston Red Sox and was bench coach of the Yankees for four World Series champions.

Zimmer played 12 seasons in the majors, also appearing for the Cubs, Reds, Los Angeles Dodgers and Washington Senators.

He managed 13 seasons, compiling a career record of 885-858 in stints with the San Diego Padres, Red Sox, Rangers and Cubs.

Zimmer was National League manager of the year in 1989 when he led the Cubs to a surprising division title, and managed the 1978 Boston Red Sox, who lost the division title in a memorable playoff game at Fenway Park to the Yankees.

Zimmer leaves behind his wife, Soot, whom he married at home plate before a minor league game in Elmira, New York, in 1951, a son and daughter and four grandchildren.

Reuters

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