Ozzie Timmons, a fifth‑round pick of the Chicago Cubs in 1990, spent a decade navigating the majors with the Cubs, Reds, Mariners and the Devil Rays, etching a memorable moment by launching his final home run off Roger Clemens at Tropicana Field.
Today, Timmons channels that experience into two roles that bridge the professional and collegiate worlds: he serves as an assistant hitting coach for the Tampa Bay Rays while volunteering with the University of Tampa baseball program, the very campus where he once swung a collegiate bat.
A Mentor's Impact
His counsel to aspiring college players is blunt: seek a school where you can earn playing time, because scouts need to see you in action. "If you’re not getting on the field, you’re not getting noticed," he often tells prospects.
The University of Tampa’s baseball pedigree reflects that philosophy, having produced a steady stream of MLB talent, including alumni such as Sam Militello, Tino Martinez, Fred McGriff, Gary Sheffield, Darnell Coles, Vance Lovelace, Jody Reed and others. The program ranks fourth in Florida for draft picks over the past two decades.
Beyond the college ranks, Timmons has been a fixture in the Rays organization since 2007, later expanding his influence as the Milwaukee Brewers’ hitting coach from 2022 to 2024. His commitment to community outreach includes regular work with Little League programs, where he mentors youngsters who dream of one day stepping onto a major‑league diamond.
For Timmons, the thread that ties his playing days to his coaching career is simple: give back. By shaping the next generation at the University of Tampa and within the Rays system, he ensures that the lessons learned from mentors like Doc Gooden, Mike Heath and Floyd Youmans continue to echo across the sport.