Rich Donnelly
| Rich Donnelly | |||
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 Donnelly with the Seattle Mariners | |||
| Third Base Coach | |||
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Born: August 3, 1946 Steubenville, Ohio | |||
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Richard Francis Donnelly (born August 5, 1946, at Steubenville, Ohio) is an American professional baseball coach. On March 7, 2014, he was named third-base coach of the Seattle Mariners, replacing John Stearns.[1] He served in the post for two seasons, through 2015, before his release on October 9, 2015.[2] Donnelly was a Major League Baseball (MLB) coach for over 25 years, and was a catcher during his active career in minor league baseball.
Donnelly had been slated to spend 2014 as manager of the Tacoma Rainiers of the Pacific Coast League, the Mariners' Triple-A affiliate.[3] However, Stearns underwent hiatal hernia surgery prior to spring training on February 24, and his slower-than-expected recovery caused him to step down to a professional scouting post with the Mariners.[1] Donnelly was then named to take his place on the staff of skipper Lloyd McClendon, whose playing tenure with the Pittsburgh Pirates (1990–1994) coincided with Donnelly's service on Jim Leyland's coaching staff.
Prior to joining the Mariners' organization in 2014, Donnelly spent 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 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.[4]
Coaching career
Donnelly managed in the Texas Rangers farm system from 1972 to 1979 and 1981 to 1982. He was honored as the Western Carolinas League Manager of the Year from 1972 to 1974. He led the Class A Gastonia Rangers to the league title in 1974. He managed the Rangers Class AAA affiliate from 1976 to 1979 and 1981 to 1982.
Donnelly was the bullpen coach for the Texas Rangers in 1980. He served as the first base coach for the Rangers from 1983–1985. Donnelly spent 14 seasons on Jim Leyland's staff with three organizations—Pittsburgh (1986–1996), Florida (1997–1998) and Colorado (1999). He earned a World Series ring with Florida in 1997. He remained with the Rockies through 2002.
He was a third base coach for the Milwaukee Brewers from 2003 to 2005 and for the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2006 and 2007, then worked in player development for the Pittsburgh Pirates from 2008 to 2010. From 2011 to 2013, Donnelly was the manager of the short-season Class A Brooklyn Cyclones. He was named manager of the Class AAA Tacoma Rainiers on January 16, 2014.[3] He became the Seattle Mariners third base coach on March 7, 2014.[5]
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. His 17-year-old daughter, Amy, died of a brain tumor in 1993. Amy attended a 1992 playoff game in which Rich was coaching. She noticed that he would cup his hands over his mouth while yelling out instructions to runners on second base. After the game, she asked, "Dad, what are you telling them? That the chicken runs at midnight, or what?" Since her death, the Donnelly family would deem that as her catchphrase and serve inspiration for the family.
In 1997, as a member of the Florida Marlins, he met 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 Rentería 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 his faith in God.[6][7]
This story was featured on the documentary "Champions of Faith", highlighting the stories of Catholic MLB players.
References
- 1 2 mlb.com
- ↑ Dutton, Bob (October 9, 2015). "Dipoto fires McClendon as Mariners' manager; several coaches also fired". Tacoma News-Tribune. Retrieved 2015-12-10.
- 1 2 Tacoma News-Tribune
- ↑ Baseball Reference (Minors)
- ↑ Johns, Greg (March 7, 2014). "Citing recovery, Stearns resigns as third-base coach". MLB.com. Retrieved March 7, 2014.
- ↑ Beattie, Trent (September 19, 2011). "Otherworldly Series". National Catholic Register. Retrieved March 7, 2014.
- ↑ Gurnick, Ken (March 22, 2006). "'The chicken runs at midnight'". MLB.com. Retrieved March 8, 2014.
External links
- Career statistics and player information from Baseball-Reference (Minors)
| Sporting positions | ||
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
Seattle Mariners third base coach 2014–2015 |
Succeeded by Manny Acta |
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