Former Rockies coach P.J. Carey passes away

Former Colorado Rockies major- and minor-league coach P.J. Carey passed away at the age of 59, according to Tracy Ringolsby of Root Sports.

Carey spent 13 years as an instructor in the Rockies organization, including a year in the majors in 1997. He served as the manager for several different Rockies minor-league affiliates, most recently with the Casper (now Grand Junction) Rockies from 2003-06.

Rockies centerfielder Dexter Fowler reacted to the news of the death of his first manager in professional baseball:

RIP PJ Carey, my first manager, hardest working man I've ever met! Taught me a great deal in pro ball!

— Dexter Fowler (@DFowler24) December 8, 2012

Carey left the Rockies organization in 2007 to join the Los Angeles Dodgers' minor-league staff as a roving fielding coordinator. Two years later, he was moved into a player development advisory role, a position he held until after the 2011 season.

In 40 years of professional baseball, Carey spent time in the Rockies, Dodgers, Philadelphia Phillies, Cincinnati Reds and Seattle Mariners organizations as a player, coach, manager and front office staff member.