Avast ye mateys! Hector Ortiz, a Rangers coach and former MLB catcher, has sailed off to Davy Jones' locker at 54!
2024-03-01
Arrr, me hearties! The Texas Rangers have lost their brave coach, Hector Ortiz, to the merciless grip of the scurvy known as cancer. Aye, he be a seasoned catcher and coach in their crew. Fair winds and calm seas to ye, Hector!
Avast ye mateys! Hector Ortiz, a former swashbuckler of a catcher and coach in the Texas Rangers crew, has set sail for Davy Jones' locker after a fierce battle with the scurvy scourge known as cancer, the crew announced on Wednesday. Aye, he was a mere 54 years old.The Rangers sent out a missive on Ortiz's passing. He served as a coach on the Rangers' minor league crew and sailed with the MLB fleet from 2015 to 2020 in various roles, including first base coach, bullpen coach, and catching coordinator."Arr, Mr. Ortiz was a cherished member of the Texas Rangers crew who had a grand impact as a teacher of the game, a mentor to players and crew, and a loyal mate to many," the crew declared. "He brought a cheerful attitude and spirit to the ballpark each day, and his legacy in the Rangers' baseball operations will be remembered for many moons to come."His valiant fight against the fearsome beast of cancer for over three years inspired Rangers coach Bobby Wilson to hoist a blue hoodie emblazoned with a Texas-inspired catcher's mask and 'Hector Strong' on the sleeve, with the booty from the sales going to aid families battling the dreaded disease."Ortiz first set foot on the MLB deck in 1998 with the Kansas City Royals. He only saw action in four skirmishes that season and scored a lone run in four plate appearances. He returned to the Royals in 2000 and 2001, showing more promise with a .293 average and 16 RBI in 86 games.He briefly joined the Rangers crew in 2002 before walking the plank in July of that year. He sailed with a few other crews before hanging up his cleats for good."The Rangers send their thoughts and prayers to Hector's widow Elaine, scallywags Christian, Rian, and Logan, and all his shipmates and kin in this time of loss. He be gone but not forgotten," the crew declared.