Rich Donnelly

Rich Donnelly has been a big league coach for over 25 years, most recently as the third base coach of the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Early life

Donnelly graduated from Steubenville Catholic High School in Ohio where he played baseball and basketball. He then attended college at Xavier University.

Playing career

Donnelly was signed as a catcher by the Minnesota Twins in 1967 and played four seasons in the minor leagues, compiling a .230 career average with two home runs and 115 runs batted in. [ [http://losangeles.dodgers.mlb.com/team/coach_staff_bio.jsp?c_id=la&coachorstaffid=427123 The Official Site of The Los Angeles Dodgers: Team: Manager and Coaches ] ]

Coaching career

*Managed in the Texas Rangers minor league system from 1972-1979 and 1981-1982. Honored as Western Carolina League Manager of the year from 1972-1974. Led Single-A Gastonia to the league title in 1974. Managed the Rangers Triple-A affiliate from 1976-79 and 1981-82.
*First base coach for the Texas Rangers from 1983-1985
*Spent 14 seasons (1986-1999) on Jim Leyland's staff with three organizations (Pittsburgh, Florida, Colorado). Earned a World Series ring with Florida.
*Remained with the Rockies after Leyland left through 2002.
*Third Base coach for the Milwaukee Brewers (2003-2005)
*Third Base coach for the Los Angeles Dodgers (2006-2007)

*Served Under Jim Leyland, Buddy Bell, Clint Hurdle, Ned Yost And Grady Little As Their Third-Base Coach

Personal life

Donnelly also is rated in the top ten racquetball players over 50 in the United States.

There is also a wonderful story regarding Craig Counsell of the Milwaukee Brewers and Donnelly's Family . In 1993 Donnellys Daughter Amy passed away of a brain tumor at age 17. Before she passed she attended a playoff game Donnelly was coaching at third base. Amy noticed Donnelly would cup his hands and talk to the players on base. After the game Amy inquired "Dad , what were you saying to the players on base? The chicken runs at midnight or something like that?" That became the family rallying cry during Amy's illness. When in 1997 Craig Counsell joined the Marlins his path crossed Donnellys as he was the 3rd base coach for the Marlins . Counsell was nicknamed "the chicken" by Donnellys son Tim who at age 10 was the honorary bat boy that evening for good luck. Counsell was called the chicken because of the way his left arm flapped around when he was up at bat. When Edgar Renteria hit the winning hit for the Marlins Counsell crossed home with the game winner. Tim then rushed out to his Dad to hug him and congratulate him. Tim then exclaimed to his Dad, Rich, "Dad look up at the clock, its 12 o'clock midnight, the Chicken runs at Midnight". Donnellys eyes teared over as he realized he had received a message from his daughter Amy from heaven. To this day Donnelly and Counsell get goosebumps every time they return to Dolphin stadium in Miami and see the clock and on Amys tombstone the inscription reads "the chicken runs at midnight".Fact|date=July 2007

Pat "Rich" Donnelly (Co. Dublin)

Rich Donnelly also refers to Pat "Rich" Donnelly from Co Dublin. This is due to the fact that he is extremely wealthy and is a major landowner (both residential & agricultural) in the area of South County Dublin. He is well know for only working four days a week - this is also known locally as "Doing a Donnelly."Rich Donnelly is now consolidating his assets in gold & mining stocks, a usual mix of security and risk given his advanced years. He is also moving into the emerging markets area as he sees this as a rich furrow to plough.

References