Zimmer’s Not Ready To Hang ‘Em Up

It’s typical for most Americans to retire at the age of 65, move to Florida and live a life of relaxation.

Don Zimmer has chosen otherwise.

The former New York Yankees bench coach is in his 60th year of baseball and doesn’t plan on hanging up his cleats anytime soon.

“This is the only job I’ve ever had,” Zimmer said. “I’m very fortunate to have been in the game this long.”

Zimmer was an up-and-coming infielder with the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1954.  It was a club with a packed lineup of future Hall of Famers, including Roy Campanella, Pee Wee Reese, Duke Snider and, of course, Jackie Robinson.  But it was Zimmer who would help them to possibly their biggest win in franchise history – at least he thinks so.

Heading into the 1955 World Series, Brooklyn’s last five defeats came at the hands of the cross-town rival New York Yankees.  In Game Seven that year, Dodgers manager Walt Alston sent 23-year-old Johnny Podres to the mound; Zimmer started at second.

With the score tied 1-0 in the sixth inning, Zimmer stepped into the batter’s box to face fresh relief right-hander Bob Grim.  Alston didn’t like the match-up and pulled Zimmer, also a right-hander, for pinch hitter George Shuba.

In the bottom of that inning, with Zimmer now on the bench, Alston put Sandy Amoros in left and moved Pete Gilly to second.  Yankees catcher Yogi Berra took Podres pitch and sliced a ball deep down the left field line.  Amoros darted right for it and made a sensational catch.  He then turns and fires it to the infield to double off Gil McDougald.

Many consider that moment one of the greatest run-saving plays in World Series history.  It helped give the Dodgers their first title in franchise history.  And it might have never been possible if Zimmer didn’t get pulled and replaced in the field.

“I should get as much credit as Johnny Podres did for pitching,” Zimmer said, referring to his starter’s complete game gem. “I was just pinch hit for.”

That was over 40 years ago, and Zimmer’s held a number of positions with 15 different organizations since then.  These days, the 77-year-old is a special advisor for the Tampa Bay Rays.

The Rays are off to their best start in club history, playing most of the first half at the top of the American League East standings.  While Zimmer doesn’t like to make predictions, he does admit he had a special feeling about this year’s team.

“Coming out of Spring Training we knew we were going to be a much improved club.  There was talk of .500 baseball, but who ever thought we’d be a half game out of first.”

Zimmer’s Rays are in need of some power to their lineup, but don’t look for that surge to come from all-time home run king Barry Bonds.  The former Chicago Cubs manager won’t comment on the issue, and says he doesn’t like to “get involved in that.”

What he does want to be involved with is helping the Rays get to the World Series.  Just like he did with the Dodgers, Yankees and others.

With 60 years of baseball experience, there’s no one better to teach them how to get there.