Baseball great Don Zimmer passes away at 83

You would be hard-pressed to find an organization across baseball that has not been touched by the work of Don Zimmer, whether as a player or a coach.

Major League Baseball lost a good one tonight, as Zimmer passed away at age 83. According to WTSP10News:

Zimmer was still serving as a senior adviser to the Rays’ organization. His playing career started in 1949 with the Brooklyn Dodgers. An infielder, Zimmer played for the Dodgers, Cubs, Mets, Reds, and then Washington Senators.

He is probably best known for his coaching career, during which he managed, served as a bench coach, and fulfilled other roles for the Expos, Padres, Red Sox, Yankees, Cubs, Rockies, Rangers, and Rays. He was a part of championship teams and he was a part of rebuilding projects. He was always one of the trusted voices in the organization.

Zimmer had been with the Rays organization since 2004.

Baseball is a game that always tries to stay connected to its history. For that, we are always grateful for figures like Zimmer who stay in the game for so many years. With Zimmer you had a guy who played for the Dodgers when they were in Brooklyn, served as a player-manager, and saw the Red Sox-Yankees rivalry at its most intense, among many, many other things.

Baseball lost a legend tonight. Condolences to Zimmer’s family and friends on their loss.