Nats bench coach Knorr's wife dies

WASHINGTON -- Kimberly Knorr, wife of Nationals bench coach Randy Knorr, died Tuesday, the club announced early Wednesday morning. She was 45.

Randy Knorr was not with the team during Tuesday night's 3-1 win over Atlanta.

"The Washington Nationals are shocked and saddened to learn of the passing of Kimberly Knorr, the wife of Nationals bench coach Randy Knorr," said Nationals president of baseball operations and general manager Mike Rizzo in a press release. "Randy and Kimberly have been beloved members of our Nationals family dating back to his days as a player for the Montreal Expos. Kimberly was an exceptionally warm, loving person who devoted much of her time to helping others. We are heartbroken by her loss. She will be missed by the many people whose lives she touched. On behalf of the entire organization, I extend our deepest sympathies to Randy and all of their family."

Kimberly Knorr served as the vice chair of Wheelchairs 4 Kids, an organization that provides wheelchairs for America's disabled children. She graduated from California State University, Fullerton with a degree in journalism, and she and her husband moved to Florida in 1994, according to Wheelchairs 4 Kids' website.

There, she spent three years working as a writer and editor for a national children's charity before spending 10 years with a national advertising agency, beginning as a writer and eventually earning the title of production director.

Knorr is in his fourth season as bench coach. Before that, he managed six seasons in the Nationals' farm system.