The Cleveland Guardians announced that longtime bullpen coach and player development figure Luis Isaac has died at the age of 79, as relayed by Cleveland.com.
Videos by FanBuzz
Isaac spent 44 years with the organization, building a career that spanned multiple roles and generations of players. He joined Cleveland's minor league system in 1965 after being selected from Pittsburgh in the Double-A phase of the Rule 5 Draft.
Though he did not reach the major leagues as a player, Isaac transitioned into coaching and managing in 1972 and became a central figure in the club's development pipeline.
He managed at several minor league affiliates, including Portland, Batavia and Chattanooga, and later served as a scout and instructor. Isaac was widely known for his ability to connect with young players, particularly those from Latin America adjusting to professional baseball in the United States.
Isaac served as Cleveland's major league bullpen coach from 1987 to 1991 and again beginning in 1994. He was part of the organization during its rise in the 1990s, working closely with pitching staffs during one of the franchise's most successful stretches.
Former All-Star infielder Carlos Baerga credited Isaac as a mentor both on and off the field.
"He was one of the guys that I really respect," Baerga said, via Cleveland.com. "He helped me a lot."
Isaac received the Frank Gibbons/Steve Olin Good Guy Award twice, in 1998 and 2008, recognizing his professionalism and relationship with the media.
He was dismissed following the 2008 season after more than four decades with the organization.
