ZEBULON, N.C. -- P.J. Carey, who managed the 2002 Carolina Mudcats when they were the Double-A affiliate of the Colorado Rockies, died Friday night at the age of 59. Carey had been battling a long illness.

During his lone season at Five County Stadium, Carey guided the Mudcats to a 35-71 finish. His career in the Rockies' organization spanned 13 years, from 1993-2006.

In 1997, he made it to the Major Leagues as the Rockies' bench coach. Carey managed a total of six different affiliates within the Rockies' player development system.

Carey joined the Los Angeles Dodgers system for the 2007 season and finished a 40-year career as a senior adviser for player development with the Dodgers in 2011.

A native of Scranton, Pa., Carey was born on Nov. 4, 1953. He played four seasons in the Philadelphia Phillies organization before becoming a coach. He managed in the Phillies, Cincinnati Reds and Seattle Mariners organizations before joining the Rockies.

The entire Mudcats organization would like to extend our thoughts and prayers to P.J., wife Katherine and his family during this difficult time.