Is Jeff Torborg in the hall of fame? All about former Mets manager as he dies at 83

Jeff Torborg, most known as a catcher, manager, and coach, died on Sunday at age 83, the White Sox announced. While the exact cause of death remains unclear, in recent years, he had been battling Parkinson’s disease.

Torborg was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1994. The White Sox revealed online that Torborg died in Westfield, New Jersey, his hometown.

"I am heartbroken," former White Sox player and manager Ozzie Guillen posted on X. "My mentor and my friend has passed away. Someone who truly understood me and gave me a chance to lead, to be a captain. So much of my way of managing and being in a clubhouse came from him."

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The life and legacy Jeff Torborg leaves behind: Here's everything to know about him

During his stint with the Chicago White Sox, Jeff Torborg won the 1990 American League Manager of the Year award for having helped the team to bag second place with a 94-68 in the AL West and nabbing the team 94 victories.

He served as manager for the Mets for less than two seasons, though he had a longtime coaching career for the Yankees. The height of his career as manager came in 1989-91 when he worked with the White Sox. Notably, though, his stint with the Mets was rocky. In 1992, the team came in with 70-92, earning the title “The Worst Team Money Could Buy.”

38 games into the next season, Torborg was fired and replaced by Dallas Green. He then segued into the same role for the Expos and Marlins, though he was fired once again in 2003, just before the team played for the World Series.

"RIP Jeff Torborg!" former White Sox slugger Frank Thomas said on X. "You were my first big league manager and I enjoyed playing for you. You gave me a chance to shine right away and I'm very thankful. God Bless the Torborg family."

He began his career as the manager for the Yankees in 1979, where he held nearly a decade-long run. He also held the role of broadcaster for CBS Radio and Fox for six years before he went back to managing in 2000.

American sports commentator Howie Rose also paid his respects on X, noting:

"Very sad to hear of the passing of former Mets manager Jeff Torborg. Extremely nice man with a good sense of humor. Upon seeing the busts of Mets Hall of Famers in Shea’s Diamond Club he said “They should have one of me. I was the biggest bust they ever had!” RIP."

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Jeff Torborg's most noteworthy achievements during his time as a player were catching Sandy Koufax's perfect game in 1965, as well as Bill Singer's no-hitter in 1970 and Nolan Ryan's first no-hitter in 1973, Yahoo Sports has reported.