brooklyndodgermemories

Zimmer was leading the American Association with 23 HR and 63 RBI on July 7, 1953 when he was hit in the head by a Jim Kirk pitch. He was unconscious for almost two weeks, lost his speech for six, and dropped 44 lbs. Inserted in his head were four "buttons...like tapered corkscrews in a bottle," he explained. He returned in 1954 and was Brooklyn's second baseman in the 1955 World Series. He was doing well in 1956 when a pitch from the Reds' Hal Jeffcoat fractured his cheekbone and ended his season.
Built like a fireplug and nicknamed Popeye for his strength, the scrappy Zimmer came back again and was the Dodgers' starting shortstop in 1958, reaching career highs of 17 HR and 60 RBI. He lost the job to Maury Wills with a woeful 1959 season, spent his two busiest years with the 1960-61 Cubs, and was an original New York Met. He finished his playing career in Japan.

Zimmer managed in the minors and coached for the Expos and Padres before spending 1972 and 1973 as San Diego's manager. He was a Boston coach when named manager in mid-1976. In 1978, his Red Sox won 99 games, but lost the AL East title in a one-game playoff with the Yankees. He piloted the Rangers in 1981-82, coached for the Yankees, Cubs, and Giants, and was named Cubs manager by his high-school buddy, GM Jim Frey, for 1988. He won the division title, and AP Manager of the Year, in 1989 with unorthodox strategic moves (he likes the squeeze bunt with the bases loaded) and with lots of rookies and journeymen in his lineups.

Zimmer was also the starting shortstop in 1957, when Reese was injured just before the start of the season. Reese eventually went to third base amd Zimmer lost the shortstop job to Charlie Neal.

Seeing Zimmer in his playing days , and seeing him now is amazing. When Gil Hodges was managing the Washington Senator's, they picked up Zimmer. Hodges had Zimmer learn to catch and Don actually caught a couple of games.

Robert: I would say seeing Zimmer play and seeing him nowadays is STUNNING.

Zimmer suffered a stroke on Dec. 23, 2008. He is said to be doing OK.

Thank you Pete, I never read anything about Don being ill.

Zimmer suffered the stroke while he was with his family around Christmas (Dec. 23rd). He told no one about his symptoms which included problems speaking. He is said to be doing OK, and has vowed to return to his post with the Rays.

I meant to post this earlier. I hope this will serve as an incentive for Don to lose some weight.I saw Zimmer a couple of times at the Trop this year, and he is almost as big around as he is tall. I hope he heeds the warning.

I always thought that Zimmer would have had a helluva career as a New York Giant.

I saw him at opening day at Yankee stadium 2007 he was sitting a few seats away boy was he big, looked like he didn't miss a pre or post game meal. I hope he loses weight and gets healthy. Pete why do you think he'd be a good NY Giant.

I believe Zim would have fit right in over at the Polo Grounds. He would have started, gotten 600 AB's, and I think he could have had some real good numbers there.

Zimmer had good power for a little guy, that short porch in left would have probably given the ability to hit 20 homers a year. Although you wouldn't know from looking at him now, but he had good speed and was a good fielder. Those two beanings did hurt him at the plate. He was a little gun shy and who could blame him.

Back then 20 HR's for a shortstop would have been tremendous output. He would have beaten Pee Wee out for the All Star Game! lol