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Scenes from Don Zimmer's 66 years in professional baseball

Ron Frehm/AP

Don Zimmer celebrates during a ticker-tape parade in Manhattan after the Yankees won the World Series in 1999. Photo via Ron Frehm/AP

MLB lifer Don Zimmer passed away Wednesday at the age of 83. Zimmer spent 66 years in professional baseball, and won six World Series over the course of his great career. Zimmer made his MLB debut in 1954 with the Brooklyn Dodgers, and played for four other franchises — the Cubs, Mets, Reds and Senators — in his 12-year career, mostly as an infielder. After a year in Japan, Zimmer returned as a player-manager in the minors before beginning his long career as a coach and manager in MLB. He was named NL manager of the year in 1989 with the Cubs, and won four World Series on Joe Torre’s bench in New York. During Wednesday’s A’s-Yankees game, YES Network commentator Michael Kay recalled that Zimmer once said he never earned a dime outside of baseball. The game was his life.

Zimmer, on the left, with members of the 1955 Brooklyn Dodgers. AP File Photo

Zimmer, on the left, with members of the 1955 Brooklyn Dodgers. AP File Photo

Los Angeles Dodgers' Harold "Pee Wee" Reese, with infielders Dick Gray, Don Zimmer, Charlie Neal, and Jim Gilliam in 1958.

Los Angeles Dodgers’ Harold “Pee Wee” Reese, with infielders Dick Gray, Don Zimmer, Charlie Neal, and Jim Gilliam. AP File Photo

Boston Red Sox manager Don Zimmer in 1976. AP File Photo

Boston Red Sox manager Don Zimmer in 1976. AP File Photo

Chicago Cubs manager Don Zimmer in 1989. Photo via Charles Cherney/AP

Chicago Cubs manager Don Zimmer in 1989. Photo via Charles Cherney/AP

Colorado Rockies bench coach Don Zimmer hits grounders during spring training in 1995. Photo via Ed Andrieski/AP

Colorado Rockies bench coach Don Zimmer hits grounders during spring training in 1995. Photo via Ed Andrieski/AP

New York Yankees coach Don Zimmer argues with Tim McClelland in 1998. John Dunn/AP

New York Yankees coach Don Zimmer argues with Tim McClelland in 1998. John Dunn/AP

Boston Red Sox pitcher Pedro Martinez grabs New York Yankees coach Don Zimmer during Game 3 of the 2003 ALCS. Paul J. Bereswill/AP

Boston Red Sox pitcher Pedro Martinez grabs New York Yankees coach Don Zimmer during Game 3 of the 2003 ALCS. Paul J. Bereswill/AP

Tampa Bay Devil Rays special advisor Don Zimmer in 2007. Chris O'Meara/AP

Tampa Bay Devil Rays special advisor Don Zimmer in 2007. Chris O’Meara/AP

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