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Rutgers Alum…..Jeff Torborg has passed away at 83

He was a great rep of the local teams and RU. He lived in Mountainside right? Great guy - RIP.
 
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.
 
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.
 
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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.

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He was a close friend of my uncle. 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 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.
 
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RIP Jeff
>
In his three-year career from 1961-63, the Westfield, NJ native batted .390, which still ranks third in Rutgers baseball annals. His number (#10) was retired in 1992. Playing in the Northeast when shorter seasons were common, he still holds the career slugging percentage mark of .684. During his career the Knights were 15-4-1, 14-4 and 11-5 for a three-year mark of 40-13-1 (.741 winning percentage).<
 
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Great stuff guys. Thanks for sharing your memories. Although a generation apart, Jeff and I both attended McKinley grammar school in Westfield.
 
Torborg was a 1963 All-American and set the school record for season batting average (.540) that year. His slugging percentage that year (1.032) is also a single-season standard. In 1963, he led the team with 21 RBI and six home runs.

https://scarletknights.com/news/2025/1/20/baseball-mourns-loss-of-jeff-torborg.aspx
To the best baseball player to come out if Rutgers @RutgersBaseball may you Rest in Peace Jeff Torborg. You were not only a great baseball player, but an awesome human being.

— Todd Frazier (@FlavaFraz21) January 20, 2025
 
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Torborg was a year older than me. Didn't know he was a Bonus Baby. Real good career. RIP Jeff.
 
He was a close friend of my uncle. 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 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.
Thank you for posting this. It’s incredible but there are so many stories similar to yours posted here and on my FB feed. The man truly valued personal relationships and wanted to give back.
 
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Loved him!! Was a great manager for my White Sox in ‘90 and ‘91. Overachieved big time. In ‘90, my Sox were picked by most to lose 100 games. Instead they won 94 in the last season at Old Comiskey. Youngsters Jack McDowell, Robin Ventura, Lance Johnson and Bobby Thigpen all came of age that summer. August 1st call ups of Frank Thomas and Alex Fernandez were like blockbuster trades. Captains Ozzie Guillen and Pudge Fisk kept everyone in line. Probably made 10-12 games that season. It was as magical a year as could have been without winning the division, but they hung with the Roid-induced A’s most of that season in the West. No wildcards to take comfort in. Of course, our asshole owner, always thinking he’s the smartest man in the room, Jerry Reinsdorf, let him walk after the next season, a pretty good, not great year, to takeover the Mets.
 
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Jeff was my classmate at RU and graduated with me in 1963. He captained the baseball team and I captained the RU golf team. We were great friends. She he played for the Dodgers in the 1960’s and played the Mets, I would meet him at Shea to get together. I went to the Dodger Fantasy camp in February 2001 and Jeff was one of many Brooklyn and LA Dodger greats running the camp. He chose me to be on his team due to our relationship. I had a ball with him and his wife Susie was there with him. Maybe 2 or 3 years ago I met and sat with him and Susie in the Audi Club at an RU football game. It was just like old times. He confided in me that he had Parkinson’s which I assume eventually killed him. He was a caring snd humble guy. What a great man.
 
Jeff was my classmate at RU and graduated with me in 1963. He captained the baseball team and I captained the RU golf team. We were great friends. She he played for the Dodgers in the 1960’s and played the Mets, I would meet him at Shea to get together. I went to the Dodger Fantasy camp in February 2001 and Jeff was one of many Brooklyn and LA Dodger greats running the camp. He chose me to be on his team due to our relationship. I had a ball with him and his wife Susie was there with him. Maybe 2 or 3 years ago I met and sat with him and Susie in the Audi Club at an RU football game. It was just like old times. He confided in me that he had Parkinson’s which I assume eventually killed him. He was a caring snd humble guy. What a great man.
Great stuff!
 
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