Rays host touching Don Zimmer tribute, complete with special Brooklyn Dodgers uniforms

Baseball lost one of its best when Don Zimmer passed away this Wednesday at the age of 83. He was a true baseball lifer, playing, coaching and managing for over 60 years, passing along his knowledge, insight and humor to nearly 7 percent of all people to ever play Major League Baseball. 

My heart is very sad. A HOF person and someone overlooked for his service has moved on. Don Zimmer RIP my friend and manager. @MLB

- Johnny Bench (@Johnny_Bench5) June 5, 2014

Joe Girardi shed a few tears tonight talking about the passing of Don Zimmer. "Great baseball man. A baseball lifer. He was a mentor to me."

- Bryan Hoch (@BryanHoch) June 5, 2014

Francona on Don Zimmer:"One of my all-time favorites. And if I say he's one of my all-time favorite people, I'd have to get in a long line."

- Jordan Bastian (@MLBastian) June 6, 2014

On Saturday, with the Zimmer family in attendance, the Rays held a pre-game tribute with both Tampa Bay and Seattle players wearing Zimmer's No. 23 Brooklyn Dodgers uniform: 

At the beginning of the ceremony, everyone was asked to loosen their ties in a nod to Zimmer's famous hatred of formal neckwear. This included Joe Torre who said "Popeye" was hired as a coach, but became a "family member." 

Tommy Lasorda was also on hand to talk about his friendship with Zimmer, including his ill-fated decision to try and sneak a fastball past him:

There will never be another like him. Rest in peace, Zim.