BREAKING NEWS: Texas Rangers Coach Confirm Dead
Hector Ortiz, who dedicated 18 years to managing and coaching within the Texas Rangers system, passed away on Wednesday following a prolonged fight against cancer. He was 54 years old.
The Rangers announced that Ortiz passed away at the Mayo Clinic in Phoenix, located close to the team’s spring training base in the Surprise suburb.
For the last three years, Ortiz served as a coach within the minor league player development program, following stints on the major league coaching staff under two former managers, Jeff Banister and Chris
Woodward.
Ortiz served as the first base coach for four seasons, and spent one each as a bullpen coach and catching coordinator within the Rangers organization. Additionally, he contributed as both a manager and coach in the Rangers’ minor league system and held managerial roles in the Puerto Rican Winter League for multiple years.
We mourn the passing of longtime Major and Minor League coach, Hector Ortiz, who died this morning at age 54 after a long cancer battle. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends during this time. pic.twitter.com/rE5OuDEZaD
— Texas Rangers (@Rangers) February 28, 2024
As a former catcher, Ortiz had an extensive professional career spanning 18 seasons from 1988 to 2005. He appeared in 93 games in the major leagues with the Kansas City Royals and seven with the Texas Rangers, having been drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1988.
Throughout his three-year battle with cancer, Ortiz’s resilience inspired Rangers coach Bobby Wilson to create a blue hoodie featuring a Texas-themed catcher’s mask and the words “Hector Strong” on the sleeve. Proceeds from the sales of these hoodies have been directed to support families coping with cancer.
The Texas Rangers mourn the passing of longtime Major and Minor League coach Hector Ortiz, who died this morning at age 54 after a long cancer battle. The organization sends its thoughts and prayers to his family and friends.
— John Blake (@RangerBlake) February 28, 2024