Don Zimmer

Who was Don Zimmer?

Donald William Zimmer was an American infielder, manager, and coach in Major League Baseball. Zimmer was involved in professional baseball from 1949 until his death, a span of 65 years.

Zimmer signed with the Brooklyn Dodgers as an amateur free agent in 1949. He played in MLB with the Dodgers, Chicago Cubs, New York Mets, Cincinnati Reds, and Washington Senators. Shortly thereafter came a stint with the Toei Flyers of Nippon Professional Baseball in 1966.

In between, Zimmer saw action in all of parts of 18 minor league seasons spanning 1949–1967. He also played winter baseball with the Elefantes de Cienfuegos and the Tigres de Marianao of the Cuban League during the 1952–1953 season, as well as for the 1954–1955 Puerto Rican League champion Cangrejeros de Santurce en route to the 1955 Caribbean Series. Zimmer led his team to the Series title, topping all hitters with a .400 batting average, three home runs and a .950 slugging percentage, while claiming Most Valuable Player honors.

During a minor league game on July 7, 1953, Zimmer was struck by a pitch thrown by pitcher Jim Kirk, causing Zimmer to lose consciousness. He suffered a brain injury that required surgery.