Jeff Torborg, a World Series winner for the Los Angeles Dodgers who went on to manage five MLB teams, has died in New Jersey. He was 83 years old.
His death was announced Sunday by the Baseball Hall of Fame and several of his former teams.
He played catcher, won the 1965 World Series with the Dodgers and also caught Sandy Koufax's perfect game against the Chicago Cubs. He also played for the California Angels.
“Jeff Torborg, a defensive standout who caught Sandy Koufax's perfect game and Bill Singer's no-hitter among his 358 games for the Dodgers, has died at age 83,” the Dodgers said Sunday on social media. “The Dodgers offer our deepest condolences to his family and friends.”
As manager, Torborg took control of the Cleveland Indians, Chicago White Sox, New York Mets, Montreal Expos and Florida Marlins.
Torborg was named American League Manager of the Year in 1990 with the White Sox.
“Former MLB catcher and Chicago White Sox manager Jeff Torborg passed away this morning in Westfield, New Jersey,” the White Sox said in a statement.
“Torborg was named American League Manager of the Year in 1990 after leading the Sox to a 94-68 record that season, a 25-game improvement from the previous year.”
He left Chicago for New York, signing a four-year contract with the Mets beginning with the 1992 season, but was fired in the 1993 season with a record of 85-115.
After stints with the Expos and Marlins, Torborg went into broadcasting.
He called three World Series from 1995 to 1997 for CBS and also worked for Fox.