October 31, 200322 yr Link ESPN.com It looks like Don Zimmer will be making many more appearances at Yankee Stadium next season. They just won't be in pinstripes. Zimmer is expected to sign on as a coach with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, sources close to the 72-year-old baseball veteran told the New York Post on Thursday. It would be the 56th straight year for Zimmer in uniform. However, he will not be by Joe Torre's side with the Yankees. Zimmer would be staying in the AL East, but going from first place to the basement. The D-Rays showed improvement under new manager Lou Piniella last season, but still lost 99 games. Zimmer was reportedly upset about a midseason incident when George Steinbrenner order a clubhouse aide "not to go in the coaches' room. I don't want you talking to those a-------!" the New York Daily News reported during the playoffs. After the Yankees beat the Red Sox to win the pennant, Zimmer expressesd his frustration. "This is one a------ they don't have to worry about being fired," he said. "He (Steinbrenner) don't have to worry about that 'cause I won't be back. I'm a human being and I ain't been treated like one in 11 months!" After the World Series ended, Zimmer vowed never to work for the Boss again. It was quite a postseason for Zimmer. In Game 3 of the ALCS, Zimmer was involved in a melee that saw him get tossed to the ground by Boston pitcher Pedro Martinez. Zimmer left the ballpark on a stretcher and was taken to a hospital with what the Yankees said was a strained left groin. Zimmer tearfully apologized the next day for his actions and was fined $5,000 by Major League Baseball.
October 31, 200322 yr i keep hearing that he wasnt treated like a human being in NY. what exactly did those guys do to him?!? id like to kno cause right now i dont feel very sorry for him...
October 31, 200322 yr don zimmer is a bucket of puke who isn't capable of treating anybody like a human being. it's so ironic that he wants to be treated like a human...
October 31, 200322 yr don zimmer in tampa bay will be interesting. now you have 4, count them four, strong type A personalities coping under that dome. Raise the A/C! Namioli, LaMar, Pinella, and if Zimmer joins in the Mad Rays Parade. Fun in 2004 with both teams for a change.
October 31, 200322 yr the rays have a team similar to the 01 marlins in terms of talent waiting to happen. if they can speed it up and sign strategically this offseason (hard for TB, i know) they can have at least a .500 record
October 31, 200322 yr the rays have a team similar to the 01 marlins in terms of talent waiting to happen. if they can speed it up and sign strategically this offseason (hard for TB, i know) they can have at least a .500 record The Rays will be similar to the Marlins in a couple of years. They want the "Speed, Pitching, Defense" type of team that we have. I one day hope to see a Rays vs. Marlins World Series.
October 31, 200322 yr the rays have a team similar to the 01 marlins in terms of talent waiting to happen. if they can speed it up and sign strategically this offseason (hard for TB, i know) they can have at least a .500 record The Rays will be similar to the Marlins in a couple of years. They want the "Speed, Pitching, Defense" type of team that we have. I one day hope to see a Rays vs. Marlins World Series. after that Marlins-Rays World Series, people will still say Florida doesn't deserve Major League Baseball. Just remember the NL came to Florida in 1993 and the AL in 1998 and we already have 2 World Champion Titles in a Combined 17 seasons of baseball action entering into a new season; the Marlins' 12th and Devil Rays' 6th. Baseball is alive and well down here, or else we wouldn't have two functioning, lively franchises with passionate fans who spend lots of money to support the teams.
October 31, 200322 yr BTW, the Commissioner has an I-Owe-U for an All-Star game in Miami and Tampa Bay has a new ballpark (built 1990 and finished for baseball in 1997), but no All-Star Game even being talked about.
October 31, 200322 yr This was posted over at MLB.com Rays, Zimmer have not held talks By Paul C. Smith / MLB.com ST. PETERSBURG -- The Devil Rays and Don Zimmer have not had any official discussions about the former Yankees bench coach joining Lou Piniella's staff in Tampa Bay, according to the team. "Don Zimmer is a credit to the game of baseball, and his positive impact on the game is immeasurable. However, we have not had any contact whatsoever with him concerning employment with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays," said Chuck LaMar, senior vice president of baseball operations and general manager of the Rays. Piniella's staff already is complete, including bench coach John McLaren, who has been with Piniella more than 10 years and also came from the Mariners last offseason. Rays third base coach Tom Foley interviewed for Baltimore's manager position on Wednesday but he was one of seven people the Orioles have talked to. The Orioles are expected to name a new manager by mid-November. Zimmer, 72, is an offseason resident of Treasure Island, near St. Petersburg. He said during the playoffs that he would not be returning to the Yankees as their bench coach under Joe Torre. Zimmer may be interested in starting his 56th straight season in uniform a little closer to home. But there is no deal. Zimmer's son, Tom, told reporters on Friday that his father has never had any official talks with the Rays and that his father was confused after seeing a televised report to the contrary.
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