Another Sad News:Jeff Torborg, former Mets manager, dead at 83

eff Torborg, a distinguished figure in Major League Baseball as both a player and manager, passed away on January 19, 2025, at the age of 83 in Westfield, New Jersey.iagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2010, Torborg’s health had been in decline in recent years.citeturn0search4

orn on November 26, 1941, in Plainfield, New Jersey, Torborg’s baseball journey began at Rutgers University, where he earned All-American honors in 1963 after leading the nation with a .537 batting average—a school record that still stands.citeturn0search3 ollowing his collegiate success, he signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers, marking the start of a decade-long playing career.

s a catcher, Torborg was renowned for his defensive prowess and had the unique distinction of catching three no-hitters: Sandy Koufax’s perfect game in 1965, Bill Singer’s no-hitter in 1970 (both with the Dodgers), and Nolan Ryan’s first no-hitter in 1973 with the California Angels.citeturn0search0 e also caught Don Drysdale’s record-setting fifth consecutive shutout in 1968.

ransitioning to management, Torborg took the helm of several teams, including the Cleveland Indians, Chicago White Sox, New York Mets, Montreal Expos, and Florida Marlins.is most notable managerial achievement came in 1990 with the White Sox, where he led the team to a 94-68 record—a remarkable 25-game improvement from the previous year—earning him the American League Manager of the Year award.citeturn0search4

eyond his on-field accomplishments, Torborg was celebrated for his leadership and mentorship.ormer players often spoke of his ability to foster a familial atmosphere within the clubhouse.obin Ventura, who played under Torborg with the White Sox, remarked, “He was a family man who ran his team like a family.”citeturn0search4 zzie Guillén, another of his protégés, credited Torborg with significantly influencing his own managerial style, stating, “So much of my way of managing and being in a clubhouse came from him.”citeturn0search3

fter retiring from managing, Torborg remained active in baseball as a broadcaster, lending his insights to CBS Radio and Fox Sports.e also contributed to the Atlanta Braves’ broadcast team in 2006.citeturn0news10

orborg is survived by his wife of over 60 years, Suzie, and their three sons: Doug, Greg, and Dale.is legacy in baseball is marked not only by his statistical achievements but also by the profound impact he had on those he mentored and led throughout his extensive career.

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