Don Zimmer, who has been a fixture in professional baseball for 66 years, died Wednesday in Dunedin, Fla. He was 83.

Don Zimmer Dies

Zimmer’s death was announced Wednesday by the Tampa Bay Rays, the MLB franchise for which he was currently serving as a senior advisor. Since May 2012, when he fell into a diabetic coma, Zimmer had been on kidney dialysis, reported The New York Times. This past April, Zimmer had undergone heart surgery and had remained hospitalized.

Zimmer first came to the major leagues in 1954, rising up from the Dodgers’ farm team to play for the major league squad. He was on the Dodgers when they won the World Series in 1959. He went on to play for the Cubs, the Mets and the Washington Sentaors. He retired in 1965.

After his playing career was over, Zimmer jumped into management, working with the San Diego Padres, Red Sox, Rangers and the Cubs. He later served as Joe Torre’s bench coach with the Yankees from 1996 to 2003 before leaving for Tampa Bay.

Zimmer Remembered On Twitter

I was 21 in '93 when 1st interviewed Don Zimmer. Was terrified & thought he'd spit chew all over me. He was a delight pic.twitter.com/WqHkToLvFl

— Rob Fischer (@thefishnation) June 5, 2014

No one loved baseball more than Don Zimmer. Not ever. And he wore it, proudly, on his sleeve, May he rest in peace. #RIPDonZimmer

— Mike Greenberg (@Espngreeny) June 5, 2014

Don Zimmer is baseball He drew breath from baseball, he filled lives with baseball and Im proud to say I was in the same stadium as him once

— Shane Vincent (@ShaneTVincent) June 5, 2014

Don Zimmer's death made me strangely very sad. I don't think it was because I'm a Yankee fan, maybe more that he seemed a guy I'd love.

— Boymeat (@Boymeat) June 5, 2014

Zimmer is survived by his wife Carol Jean; son, Tom; a daughter, Donna; and four grandchildren.

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