Rich Donnelly

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Rich Donnelly
Donnelly in spring 2007
Manager, Tacoma Rainiers
Born: (1946-08-03) August 3, 1946 Steubenville, Ohio
Bats: Left	Throws: Right

Richard Francis Donnelly (born August 5, 1946, at Steubenville, Ohio) is an American professional baseball manager. A Major League Baseball coach for over 25 years, he was a catcher during his active career in minor league baseball.

On January 16, 2014, at age 67, Donnelly was named manager of the 2014 Tacoma Rainiers of the Pacific Coast League, Triple-A affiliate of the Seattle Mariners.^[1] He had spent the previous three seasons (2011–2013) as skipper of the Brooklyn Cyclones of the New York-Penn League, Short Season-A farm club of the New York Mets.

Early life

Donnelly graduated from Steubenville Catholic Central High School in Ohio where he played baseball and basketball. He then attended college at Xavier University.

Playing career

Donnelly was signed as a catcher by the Minnesota Twins in 1967 and played four seasons in the Twins' and Washington Senators' minor league systems, compiling a .224 career batting average with two home runs and 73 runs batted in in 313 games played.^[2]

Coaching career

Managed in the Texas Rangers farm system from 1972–1979 and 1981–1982. Honored as Western Carolinas League manager of the year from 1972–1974. Led Single-A Gastonia to the league title in 1974. Managed the Rangers Triple-A affiliate from 1976–1979 and 1981–1982.
Bullpen coach for the Texas Rangers, 1980; first base coach for the Rangers from 1983–1985.
Spent 14 seasons (1986–1999) on Jim Leyland's staff with three organizations—Pittsburgh (1986–1996), Florida (1997–1998) and Colorado (1999). Earned a World Series ring with Florida in 1997.
Remained with the Rockies after Leyland left through 2002.
Third base coach for the Milwaukee Brewers (2003–2005).
Third base coach for the Los Angeles Dodgers (2006–2007).
Served under Pat Corrales, Doug Rader, Bobby Valentine, Jim Leyland, Buddy Bell, Ned Yost and Grady Little as a coach.
Advisor, player development, for the Pittsburgh Pirates (2008–2010).
Manager, Short Season-A Brooklyn Cyclones (New York Mets), (2011–2013).
Named manager, Triple-A Tacoma Rainiers (Seattle Mariners), on January 16, 2014.^[1]

Personal life

Donnelly also is rated in the top ten racquetball players over 50 in the United States.

Perhaps the best known story of Donnelly is his experience coaching the Florida Marlins in the 1997 World Series. Rich Donnelly's 17-year old daughter, Amy, died of a brain tumor in 1993. Before her death, Amy attended a 1992 playoff game in which Rich was coaching. After the game, she asked, 'Dad, what are you telling them? That the chicken runs at midnight, or what?'" since she noticed that he would cup his hands over his mouth while yelling out instructions to runners on second base. Since her death, the Donnelly family would deem that as her catchphrase and serve inspiration for the family.

Years later in 1997, as a member of the Florida Marlins, he would meet Craig Counsell, a player his son Tim nicknamed "Chicken Wing", because of his unique batting stance. In the 11th inning of Game 7, Counsell reached base, and was able to advance to third base as the inning progressed. Edgar Renteria then hit a single on which Counsell scored, winning the World Series for the Marlins. Rich's sons Tim and Mike, who were honorary bat boys that evening, rushed to their father in celebration. Tim pointed out to the stadium clock which read 12:00 midnight, telling his father, "The chicken ran at midnight, dad." Donnelly believes that Amy was sending him a message from Heaven, and this experience has strengthened and solidified his faith in God even more.^[3]

This story can be found at the Los Angeles Dodgers website at this link, as well as the documentary "Champions of Faith", highlighting the stories of Catholic baseball professionals playing in Major League Baseball.

References

↑ 1.0 1.1 Tacoma News-Tribune
↑ Baseball Reference (Minors)
↑ http://www.ncregister.com/site/article/other-worldly-series/

External links

Career statistics and player information from Baseball-Reference (Minors)

Preceded by Tommy Helms	Texas Rangers first base coach 1983–1985	Succeeded by Art Howe
Preceded by Rick Peterson	Pittsburgh Pirates bullpen coach 1986–1992	Succeeded by Terry Collins
Preceded by Gene Lamont	Pittsburgh Pirates third base coach 1993–1995	Succeeded by Gene Lamont
Preceded by Bill Virdon	Pittsburgh Pirates bench coach 1996	Succeeded by Rick Renick
Preceded by Cookie Rojas	Florida Marlins third base coach 1997–1998	Succeeded by Fredi González
Preceded by Gene Glynn	Colorado Rockies third base coach 1999–2002	Succeeded by Sandy Alomar, Sr.
Preceded by Gary Allenson	Milwaukee Brewers third base coach 2003–2005	Succeeded by Dale Sveum
Preceded by Glenn Hoffman	Los Angeles Dodgers third base coach 2006–2007	Succeeded by Larry Bowa
Preceded by John Stearns	Tacoma Rainiers manager 2014–	Succeeded by Incumbent

v t e Florida Marlins 1997 World Series Champions

7 Kurt Abbott 8 Jim Eisenreich 9 Gregg Zaun 10 Gary Sheffield 14 John Wehner 15 Cliff Floyd 16 Edgar Rentería 18 Moisés Alou 19 Jeff Conine 20 Darren Daulton 22 Devon White 23 Charles Johnson 24 Bobby Bonilla 25 Al Leiter 26 Alex Arias 27 Kevin Brown 28 John Cangelosi 30 Craig Counsell 31 Robb Nen 39 Jay Powell 41 Tony Saunders 42 Dennis Cook 49 Félix Heredia 52 Ed Vosberg 57 Antonio Alfonseca 61 Liván Hernández (World Series MVP) Manager 11 Jim Leyland Coaches Rich Donnelly Bruce Kimm Jerry Manuel Milt May Larry Rothschild Tommy Sandt

Regular season National League Division Series National League Championship Series

Persondata
Name	Donnelly, Rich
Alternative names
Short description	American baseball coach
Date of birth	August 5, 1946
Place of birth	Steubenville, Ohio
Date of death
Place of death

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