Lee Tinsley Obituary, Funeral

Lee Owen Tinsley, an American professional baseball outfielder who played in 1993–97 with the Seattle Mariners, Boston Red Sox and Philadelphia Phillies of Major League Baseball (MLB) and was most recently the assistant hitting coach of the Cincinnati Reds of Major League Baseball has died.

Tinsley was born on March 4, 1969 and died on January 12, 2023 at age 53. A cause of death was not stated.

Tinsley made his professional debut in 1987 with the Medford A’s of the Northwest League, after being drafted out of Shelby County High School in Shelbyville, Kentucky.

After his debut, he played for the following MLB teams: Cleveland Indians, Seattle Mariners, Boston Red Sox / Philadelphia Phillies and then made a return to the Seattle Mariners.

His return to the Seattle Mariners prior to the 1997 season was plagued with injuries:

• In May, he injured his elbow and was sidelined.
• He was activated on August 1, after returning to the lineup two days later, but was placed back on the D.L. on August 21.
• That season, he hit only .197 in 49 games.

He spent 1998–99 in AAA away from the MLB, with the affiliates of the Anaheim Angels, Montreal Expos and Cincinnati Reds.

In 2000, he played in the independent Western Baseball League with the Valley Vipers and moved to the Mexican League where he finished off the season.

Tinsley made his debut as the hitting coach for the El Paso Diablos, Arizona’s AA affiliate, in 2001.

He also served as the roving outfield instructor for the Angels’ minor league system.

He became the first-base coach for the Diamondbacks in 2006–08.

On December 1, 2008, he was named first base coach of the Seattle Mariners, a position he held through 2010.

Tinsley was the minor league outfield/baserunning coordinator for the Chicago Cubs in 2011–13.

He was named the manager of the Ogden Raptors for 2014, but chose to join the Cincinnati Reds as assistant hitting coach instead.

On October 22, 2015, the Reds opted against renewing his contract.

He died on Jan. 12, 2022 at age 53.

Details of his funeral will be made public by his family.