Remembering Omar Malavé

The Dunedin Blue Jays mourn the loss of long-time manager Omar Malavé. Omar managed for eight seasons in Dunedin from 2004-2009 and 2014-2015. He is the only manager in Florida State League history to win multiple Manager of the Year Awards. Omar won over 1,000 games in the FSL, and he mentored many Blue Jays minor leaguers who went on to have great careers in Major League Baseball.

The Venezuelan born manager accomplished plenty on the field, but he will be remembered most by his impact off the field. Omar has been described by many in the organization as a true Blue Jay. He loved playing and working for the Toronto Blue Jays organization, and he was a great family man. Director of Florida Operations, Shelby Nelson, remembers Omar as the first manager he worked with when he began as the General Manager of the Dunedin Blue Jays. Nelson thinks back to his time with Omar fondly, “I learned so much from him in my first season that helped me tremendously throughout my career. It was an honor to work with and be a part of his great career.” He always made time for everyone he met, making sure to stop by everyone’s office to share a quick chat when possible. Current manager, Luis Hurtado credits Malavé with mentoring him during his playing career and helping make him the manager he is today. The sentiment shared by all was his love for his family, and he was loved by so many as well.

In 2015, Nelson had the privilege of presenting Malavé at the Florida State League Hall of Fame Awards ceremony. Omar Malavé is one of six Dunedin Blue Jays to make the FSL Hall of Fame, joining Carlos Delgado, Roy Halladay, Lloyd Moseby, Vernon Wells, and Ken Carson. Today, the Dunedin Blue Jays organization remembers the lasting impression Malavé left over his many years. He will be greatly missed, and our thoughts are with his family, friends, and players he mentored during his time in Dunedin.