:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/2511347/20120409_kkt_sv7_944.0.jpg)
Don Zimmer is almost 82 years old and has spent the past few months battling kidney and diabetes-related health issues, but he will nonetheless be returning for his 10th season as a senior advisor for the Tampa Bay Rays, according to a report by Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times on Friday.
"I had a tough time for four-five months there," Zimmer said in the report Thursday of his health problems. "I feel a little stronger now, everything's working out pretty good cause I've got a hell of a nurse. ... If I feel as good as I do now, I'll be there at every (home) game."
His "nurse" doubles as his wife, Soot, who aids Zimmer in home treatments. In what will be his 65th season in the realm of professional baseball, Zimmer's duties with the Rays includes helping out with pre-game preparations at Tropicana Field and during spring training, according to the report, as well as an overarching "guru"-type figure for the franchise as a whole.
Tampa Bay, with a record of 90-72, finished the 2012 regular season third in the American League East division.