ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- Longtime Tampa Bay Rays field coordinator Jim Hoff passed away unexpectedly in Tampa, Fla., on Monday. He was 73.
"With heavy hearts, we mourn the untimely death of Jim Hoff," said senior vice president of baseball operations and general manager Erik Neander. "Hoffy spent more than 50 years in professional baseball, and served as our field coordinator for the last 17. During his long career, he made a profound impact on countless players, coaches and staff. He cared deeply for all of them, for the organizations in which he worked, and for the game of baseball. Hoffy was a great teacher and an even better person, beloved by all who knew him, and we will miss him terribly. The entire Rays organization sends our thoughts and sympathies to his family."
Hoff totaled 51 seasons in professional baseball, and he joined the Rays organization as field coordinator entering 2002. Prior to that, he served the Toronto Blue Jays for four seasons, as field coordinator and director of Minor League development. He also was field coordinator for the Cincinnati Reds from 1984-90. He managed in the Reds organization for 11 seasons (1973-83).
A former infielder, Hoff played in the Reds farm system from 1967-72. He graduated from University of Detroit High School in 1963 and from Xavier University in 1967, and later attended Notre Dame Law School. He is survived by his two sons, Brian and Matthew, and grandson, Hunter.