NEW YORK – Mark Newman, a key front office executive for the New York Yankees during their run of five World Series titles from 1996 through 2009, was found dead Saturday at his home in Tampa, Florida.
The Yankees said it was not clear whether he died Friday or Saturday.
Newman was omnipresent for two decades at the Yankees’ minor league complex in Tampa, Florida, his portly frame easily recognizable from a distance.
“He was very passionate about all the guys in the minor league system,” Yankees outfielder Brett Gardner said in a statement.
“He would come to the Dominican Republic and watch me during tryouts,” Yankees catcher Gary Sánchez said in a statement.