Former manager of the Philadelphia Phillies and Chicago Cubs Lee Elia – perhaps most renowned for his passionate tirade aimed at fans aforementioned – has passed away at 87 years old, announced by the Phillies on Thursday, shortly before his 88th birthday.

“Affiliated with 10 different organizations throughout his distinguished career, he always considered himself a Phillie at heart,” stated the team.

As a player, Elia had brief stints in the majors, playing as an infielder for the Chicago White Sox in 1966 and later for the Cubs in 1968. However, he is predominantly recognized for his long tenure as a coach and manager. His managerial debut occurred with the Cubs in 1982. That season, he led them to a disappointing 73-89 record, culminating in a last-place finish in the National League East. After a rough start to the following season, particularly a loss to the Dodgers which dropped the Cubs’ record to 5-14, Elia became part of baseball lore with a three-minute expletive-laden outburst directed at critics in the stands. Portions of his monologue included:

“What am I supposed to do? Go out there and let my f—ing players get destroyed every day and be quiet about for the f—ing nickel dime people who show up? The motherf—ers don't even work. That's why they're out at the f—ing game. They should go get a f—ing job and find out what it's like to go out there and earn a f—ing living. Eighty-five percent of the world is working, the other 15 come out here.”

He was terminated before the season concluded, finishing with a record of 127-158 in his Cubs tenure. Originally from Philadelphia, Elia later managed the Phillies for portions of the 1982 and 1983 seasons and continued his impressive coaching career in the majors, including several years with the Seattle Mariners.

“Lee was special,” said Mariners manager Dan Wilson in a statement on Thursday. “Baseball has lost a giant. A great baseball man and an even better human. He was like a father to me and taught me how to be a big leaguer.”