Jeff Torborg, a longtime figure in Major League Baseball as a player, coach, and manager, passed away on January 19, 2025, at the age of 83 in Westfield, New Jersey. His death was announced by the Chicago White Sox, though the cause was not disclosed. Torborg had been battling Parkinson’s disease in recent years .(en.wikipedia.org, nypost.com)
Torborg’s MLB journey began as a catcher with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1964. He played ten seasons in the majors, also spending time with the California Angels. Notably, he caught Sandy Koufax’s perfect game in 1965 and one of Nolan Ryan’s no-hitters in 1970 .(en.wikipedia.org, si.com)
Transitioning to coaching and management, Torborg managed five MLB teams: the Cleveland Indians (1977–79), Chicago White Sox (1989–91), New York Mets (1992–93), Montreal Expos (2001), and Florida Marlins (2002–03). His most successful managerial stint was with the White Sox, earning the American League Manager of the Year award in 1990 after improving the team’s win total by 25 games .(si.com)
Torborg also served as a coach for the New York Yankees from 1979 to 1988. After his managerial career, he worked as a broadcaster for Fox and CBS Radio, covering the World Series from 1995 to 1997 .(sports.yahoo.com, nypost.com)
Born in Plainfield, New Jersey, on November 26, 1941, Torborg was an All-American catcher at Rutgers University before embarking on his professional baseball career .(en.wikipedia.org)
Torborg’s contributions to baseball spanned over four decades, leaving a lasting impact on the sport. He is remembered for his dedication, leadership, and the respect he garnered throughout the baseball community.
