New Jersey native was Mets’ manager from 1992-93
Former Mets manager and Yankees coach Jeff Torborg died Sunday morning, the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum announced. He was 83.
Torborg caught Sandy Koufax‘s perfect game (Sept. 9, 1965), Bill Singer‘s no-hitter (July 20, 1970) and Nolan Ryan‘s first no-hitter (May 15, 1973).
After a 10-year playing career with the Dodgers (1964-70) and Angels (1971-73), Torborg’s managerial career started in Cleveland (1977-79). He went 157-201 before joining the Yankees as a coach (1979-88).
Torborg was 250-235 with the White Sox and subsequently led the Mets from 1992-93. He went 85-115, including a 13-25 start to the 1993 campaign, which led to his early-season firing.
Torborg’s later managerial stints included the Expos (2001) and Marlins (2002-03).
A New Jersey native by way of Westfield, Torborg was a catcher at Rutgers, which retired his No. 10 jersey in 1992, before signing as an amateur free agent with the Dodgers in 1963.
He slashed .214/.268/.265 with eight home runs and 101 RBI in 574 games across 1964-73 for the Dodgers and Angels.
