Cleveland Baseball Insider

Former Cleveland Manager Passes Away At Age 83

Jeff Torborg managed the Cleveland franchise for parts of three seasons from 1977 through 1979.
Logan Potosky|
Jun 27, 2024; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; A general view a Cleveland Guardians hat and glove on the dugout railing before a game against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter Aiken-Imagn Images
Jun 27, 2024; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; A general view a Cleveland Guardians hat and glove on the dugout railing before a game against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter Aiken-Imagn Images | Peter Aiken-Imagn Images

In this story:

Cleveland Guardians

The Cleveland Guardians have had many managers in their franchise's history.

From Terry Francona, to Mike Hargrove, to reigning American League Manager of the Year Stephen Vogt, the Guardians have a rich managerial history that has lasted over a century.

On Sunday, the team announced that former manager Jeff Torborg passed away at the age of 83. Torborg managed Cleveland for parts of three seasons from 1977 through 1979.

After joining the team as a coach in 1975, he eventually became the team's manager during the 1977 campaign.

He replaced Frank Robinson, who began the season 26-31 before being relieved of his duties. Cleveland then went 45-59 during the remainder of the campaign with Torborg at the helm, finishing the year 71-90 and fifth in the AL East standings.

The following year was Torborg's only full season as Cleveland's manager. The team ended up with a similar record from the previous season, ending the campaign at 69-90 and sixth in the AL East. He was then relieved of his duties during the 1979 season after beginning the year 43-52.

A navy hat with a red logo next to a black baseball glove.
Jun 27, 2024; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; A general view a Cleveland Guardians hat and glove on the dugout railing before a game against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter Aiken-Imagn Images | Peter Aiken-Imagn Images

Torborg had a long MLB career as a player, manager, coach, and broadcaster outside of Cleveland as well.

He played 10 combined seasons with the Los Angeles Dodgers and California Angels. Additionally, the former Major League catcher was a coach for the New York Yankees for a decade before managerial stints with the: Chicago White Sox (three seasons), New York Mets (parts of two seasons), and Florida Marlins (parts of three seasons).

Off the baseball field, he spent time as an MLB television broadcaster with Fox and the Atlanta Braves.

Published
Logan Potosky
LOGAN POTOSKY

Logan Potosky is an aspiring play-by-play sports broadcaster who, to date, has called approximately 350+ hours of professional, college, and high school sporting events. He is currently the Play-by-Play Broadcaster for the Lake County Captains, the High-A Affiliate of the Cleveland Guardians. He graduated from John Carroll University in May of 2023 with a degree in Communication, with a concentration in Digital Media, and a minor in Entrepreneurship.

Home/News