Longtime Rays field coordinator Jim Hoff dies at age 73

LAS VEGAS – Longtime Rays minor-league field coordinator Jim Hoff passed away Monday unexpectedly, the team announced. He was 73.

Hoff spent 51 years in professional baseball and had been with the Rays since 2002.

"With heavy hearts, we mourn the untimely death of Jim Hoff," Rays GM Erik Neander said in a statement "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."

Before joining the Rays, Hoff worked for the Blue Jays for four seasons, as field coordinator and director of minor-league development. Before that he was with the Reds as field coordinator from 1984-90 and as a minor-league manager from 1973-83 after playing as in infielder in their system from 1967-72.

Hoff graduated from University of Detroit High School in 1963 and Xavier University in 1967, and also attended Notre Dame Law School.

He is survived by sons, Brian and Matthew, and a grandson, Hunter.