Arlington, Texas — Hector Ortiz, who spent the last 18 years as a manager and coach in the Texas Rangers organization, passed away on Wednesday morning at the Mayo Clinic in Phoenix, Arizona after a long battle with cancer. He was 54 years old.

Mr. Ortiz had been a coach on the minor league player development staff for the last three years after serving on the Rangers’ Major League coaching staff from 2015-20 as first base coach (2015-17; 2019), bullpen coach (2018), and catching coordinator (2020) for managers Jeff Banister and Chris Woodward. Prior to that time, he managed and coached in Texas’ minor league system at several levels from 2005-14. He also managed several years in the Puerto Rican Winter League.

The former catcher played 18 professional seasons from 1988-2005, including 93 Major League games with Kansas City (1998; 2000-01) and Texas (2002), appearing in seven games with the Rangers in 2002. He was originally selected by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the June 1988 MLB draft after playing at Ranger (TX) and Paris (TX) Junior Colleges.

Mr. Ortiz was a beloved member of the Texas Rangers organization who had an enormous impact as a teacher of the game, a mentor to players and staff, and a loyal friend to so many. He brought a positive attitude and spirit to the ballpark each and every day, and his influence on the Rangers’ baseball operations department will not soon be forgotten.

His courageous fight of more than three years against cancer inspired Rangers coach Bobby Wilson to design a blue hoodie with a Texas-inspired catcher’s mask and “Hector Strong” on the sleeve with proceeds of the hoodie sales going to support families battling cancer.

The Rangers send their thoughts and prayers to Hector’s wife Elaine, children Hector Josue, Christian, Rian, and Logan, and all his friends and family at their loss. He will not be forgotten.

The Rangers will observe a moment of silence in the memory of Hector Ortiz prior to Thursday’s game against the Milwaukee Brewers at Surprise Stadium. Information on a memorial service will be announced at a later date.