RIP Don Zimmer, Baseball Legend

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Don Zimmer
When hearing the phrase “baseball lifer,” no name should come to mind more quickly than Don Zimmer (PeekYou profile here); a man who spent 65 of his 83 years working in the sport he loved, and who sadly passed away on Wednesday.

His career as a player found him as mostly a utility infielder, playing with a number of teams, but perhaps most notably with the World Series Champion, 1955 Brooklyn Dodgers. Although not necessarily the hottest hitter (his career average being .235), he was regarded as quite capable on the field. His major league career ended in 1965.

After brief stints playing in Japan and Latin America, Zimmer found himself coaching in the minors, and eventually working his way up to the majors; where — in addition to numerous coaching stints — he managed a number of different teams, such as the late-70s Red Sox and late-80s Cubs.

But he’s probably best remembered for his time as bench coach of the late-90s New York Yankees; who won four World Series titles in five years.

He is survived by his wife of 63-years, Soot (Jean Zimmer), his former high school sweetheart; whom he married at home plate before a game in 1951.

A visit to the PeekYou profile of Zimmer will give you an opportunity to explore the fascinating life and colorful career of — as well as the outpouring of memorials for — this fondly regarded legend.