Sports
Former MLB Catcher and Manager Jeff Torborg Dies at 83
CHICAGO, Ill. — Jeff Torborg, a former Major League Baseball catcher and manager whose career spanned over four decades, died on Sunday at the age of 83, the Chicago White Sox announced. No cause of death was provided, though Torborg had been battling Parkinson’s Disease in his later years.
Torborg, a baseball lifer, played 10 seasons in the majors as a catcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers and California Angels from 1964 to 1973. He later managed five teams over 11 seasons, including the Cleveland Indians, Chicago White Sox, New York Mets, Montreal Expos, and Florida Marlins, from 1977 to 2003.
As a player, Torborg was known for his defensive prowess behind the plate. He caught two of baseball’s most iconic pitching performances: Sandy Koufax’s perfect game in 1965 and one of Nolan Ryan’s seven no-hitters in 1973. Torborg also played a key role in the Dodgers’ 1965 World Series championship team.
After retiring as a player, Torborg transitioned to coaching and managing. He began his managerial career with the Cleveland Indians in 1977 and later led the White Sox to a division title in 1983. Despite mixed success as a manager, Torborg was widely respected for his baseball acumen and dedication to the game.
“Jeff was a complete baseball man,” said a former colleague. “He was a class act, a fine gentleman, and the epitome of what baseball represents.”
Torborg’s legacy extended beyond the field. He was remembered by fans and peers alike as a kind and knowledgeable figure who left an indelible mark on the sport. “Another one of my 60’s Baseball Card collection passes away,” one fan wrote online. “RIP Jeff.”
In addition to his baseball career, Torborg was the father of professional wrestler The Kiss Demon, whose real name is Jeremy Torborg. The elder Torborg’s influence reached beyond the diamond, touching multiple generations of sports enthusiasts.
No funeral arrangements have been announced at this time. The baseball community continues to mourn the loss of a man who dedicated his life to the game.
