Hector Ortiz, a manager and coach in the Texas Rangers organization for the previous 18 years, died on Wednesday after a long battle with cancer. He was 54.
The Rangers say Ortiz died at the Mayo Clinic in Phoenix, near the club’s spring training facility in Surprise. Ortiz has spent the last three years as a coach on the minor league player development staff, having previously worked for two major league managers, Jeff Banister and Chris Woodward.
Ortiz spent four seasons as first base coach and one each as bullpen coach and catching coordinator. He also managed and coached in the Rangers’ minor league system and spent several years as a manager in the Puerto Rican Winter League.
From 1988 to 2005, the former catcher played 18 professional seasons, appearing in 93 major league games with Kansas City and seven for the Rangers. The Los Angeles Dodgers drafted Ortiz in 1988.
Ortiz’s three-year cancer fight inspired Rangers coach Bobby Wilson to create a blue sweatshirt with a Texas-themed catcher’s mask and the words “Hector Strong” on the sleeve. Sales proceeds have gone to help cancer patients and their families.
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