Jeff Torborg, former Mets manager, dead at 83
He was hired by the Mets after a successful run with the White Sox.
nypost.com
Rutgers Alum…..Jeff Torborg has passed away at 83
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He nursed Sandy Koufax to break his three game losing streak by throwing a perfect game 60 years ago.
I met him when he was inducted to the Rutgers baseball hall of fame. There was a dinner and the whole team went to celebrate. I still have the commemorative bat he signed.
RU didn’t have many MLB alums at the time, and he had had the most accomplished career.
He was very well respected and it was a who’s who of baseball guys there. For some reason, Gene Michael & Willie Randolph being there sticks in my memory.
It’s crazy, he seemed like such an old-timer at the time, but would have only been 52 (!). Time flies.
RU didn’t have many MLB alums at the time, and he had had the most accomplished career.
He was very well respected and it was a who’s who of baseball guys there. For some reason, Gene Michael & Willie Randolph being there sticks in my memory.
It’s crazy, he seemed like such an old-timer at the time, but would have only been 52 (!). Time flies.
Jim “Mighty Mo” Monahan captained the 1951 team and is in the Rutgers Football Hall of Fame. That year his 89 yard touchdown run against Temple set a record. He is also one of only four players to have hit a home run over the old fences on the baseball diamond. The April 5, 1968 Targum reported a new auxiliary fence would reduce the Rutgers field to 330 feet in left, 410 feet in center and 320 feet in right. The old measurements were 430 feet in left, between 480-550 feet in center and 470 feet in right. Besides a wind-assisted blast by a Villanova player, the other two men were UConn’s Walt Dropo, future Rookie of the Year for the 1950 Red Sox and Rutgers own Jeff Torborg, Class of 1963. Torborg was a catcher for 10 seasons with the Dodgers and Angels. He caught a perfect game by Sandy Koufax (9/9/1965) and no-hitters by Bill Singer and Nolan Ryan. He was 1990’s Manager of the Year with the White Sox and also managed the Indians, Mets, Expos and Marlins. All the home runs hit were down the left field line.
Jeff was a MLB "bonus baby." The bonus rule was in place from 1947–1965.
I always liked this 1967 Topps card... mentions his bonus and Rutgers.
I met Jeff a few times. Always a gentleman. A Rutgers legend.
R.I.P.
I always liked this 1967 Topps card... mentions his bonus and Rutgers.
I met Jeff a few times. Always a gentleman. A Rutgers legend.
R.I.P.
He was a close friend of my uncle Eddie who played minor league ball with him early in his career. When uncle Eddie died in the early 90's, Mr. Torborg was then manager of the Mets. He came to his wake in Linden and I remember poking my dad when he walked into the room and was like "Dad, is that..." My dad was just like, "Yep". After he paid his respects at the casket he came over and sat by my father and I and really gave my dad a long look. After a few minutes he leans over and asks my dad, "You're Eddie's nephew right? You were a heck of a catcher on your PAL team way back when if I remember correctly." My dad was a catcher in the 50's for his PAL team. Mr. Torborg remembered being introduced to him as Eddie's nephew all those years ago. Then he looked at me and said, "And you're his son, right?" Then he said my name and I almost fell over. I said "Yeah, that's me. How'd you know?" He answered, "All those signed baseballs and bats (Oscar Gamble) that you've gotten as gifts over the years... Who do you think Eddie knew in the Yankee locker room to take care of that?" Then he smiled. I was just floored. He made small talk with us for a few more minutes then got up and talked to my aunts for a few minutes and made his way to the door.
A really kind man with a terrific memory.
A really kind man with a terrific memory.
