RIP Don Zimmer

[HanSenSE]

From the Chicago Tribune obit:

His exit was also one of the most memorable in Cubs’ history. Zimmer handed an ultimatum to Tribune Co. executive Don Grenesko to give him a contract extension early in the 1991 season, asking for the same kind of security the players had.

“‘Am I any different?’” Zimmer said he told Grenesko. “‘What am I? A piece of garbage in Lake Michigan?’”

The ploy didn’t work, and Zimmer was fired. In typical fashion, he invited the beat writers into his New York hotel suite and told them to empty out the mini-bar so he could charge it to the team.

 

[Michael_ Gee]

This is very sad news, but Zim spent his whole life just where he wanted, and you can't do better than that.

 

[Songbird]

If you've got 5 minutes, give Vin a listen as he rhapsodizes about Zimmer.

The last story is marvelous.

A few minutes in, as he's talking about one of the beanballs, Van Slyke was beaned.

http://atmlb.com/1pH3KEW

 

[Songbird]

Getty Images.

 

[Mizzougrad96]

Early in my career, I was in the locker room and Zimmer walked out of the shower buck naked and into the locker room, which was just packed with media. One of the female TV reporters said under her breath, "Oh. My. God."

There are some things in life you just can't unsee.

Great guy... RIP...

 

[Liut]

This is very sad news, but Zim spent his whole life just where he wanted, and you can't do better than that.

Well said, Michael.

Zim was likeable and approachable. Not long ago I read his book "The World According To Zim" and thoroughly enjoyed it. For some reason, I think of him and Whitey Herzog as similar. I guess it's both were mediocre players, coached/managed for several organizations, and terrific judges of talent.

RIP, Mr. Zimmer.

 

[Liut]

Early in my career, I was in the locker room and Zimmer walked out of the shower buck naked and into the locker room, which was just packed with media. One of the female TV reporters said under her breath, "Oh. My. God."

There are some things in life you just can't unsee.

Great guy... RIP...

I had a similar experience involving Yogi Berra. ;D

 

[3_Octave_Fart]

The managing job he pulled off in 1989 was an all-timer.
Hits and runs, runs and hits, double steals, squeezes - every lever he pulled worked and he got every drop out of a pretty average team.
Rest in peace, Zim.

 

[I Should Coco]

If you've got 5 minutes, give Vin a listen as he rhapsodizes about Zimmer.

The last story is marvelous.

A few minutes in, as he's talking about one of the beanballs, Van Slyke was beaned.

http://atmlb.com/1pH3KEW

Well worth a listen ... although I was a bit distracted by one of the fans behind home plate. :D

Even as a White Sox fan, I always appreciated Zimmer as a manager. A true character and, by all accounts, good guy.

RIP.

 

[BenPoquette]

When I think of Zimmer, I think Cubs.

And yes kids..he was more than just the guy that Pedro tossed to the side.

I think Red Sox and the 1978 collapse.

This...probably because I read The Bronx Zoo when I was 10 years old.

 

[Armchair_QB]

RIP to my favorite Cubs manager. That 89 team was fun to watch.

 

[terrier]

For anybody who remembers the "Here Comes Gossage...here comes Bailey...where's Bernie?" era:

 

[Armchair_QB]

The managing job he pulled off in 1989 was an all-timer.
Hits and runs, runs and hits, double steals, squeezes - every lever he pulled worked and he got every drop out of a pretty average team.
Rest in peace, Zim.

At least twice that year he put on a hit and run with the bases loaded.