Tom Foley

Thomas Michael Foley (born September 9, 1959) is an American former professional baseball infielder and coach who played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Cincinnati Reds, Philadelphia Phillies, Montreal Expos, and Pittsburgh Pirates, from to . After retiring as a player, Foley served as an on-field coach for the Tampa Bay Rays, from through , when he moved into the team's front office.

Early years Foley was born in Columbus, Georgia. His father was in the U.S. Army so he moved a lot in his childhood. When he was growing up he lived in France, Hawaii, and Japan for four years.

Foley graduated from Miami Palmetto High School, where he played both football, basketball and baseball. After high school, Foley played baseball at Dade South Community College until the Cincinnati Reds drafted him in the 7th round of the 1977 amateur draft.

Playing career At age 23, Foley made his major league debut on April 9, 1983. In his first start 8 days later, he had a walk and a two-run double in the first inning before even taking the field.

During the 1985 season, he was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies along with Alan Knicely and a player to be named later (Freddie Toliver) for Bo Diaz and Greg Simpson. Projected as the Phillies' starting shortstop in 1986, he was hit by a pitch in spring training and wound up playing sparingly (but well) behind the incumbent, Steve Jeltz. On July 24, 1986, Foley was traded to the Montreal Expos along with Lary Sorensen for Skeeter Barnes and Dan Schatzeder. Fielding metrics back that up—over his career, Foley compiled above league-average range factors at both second and third base, and average range factors at shortstop. He led the Copper Kings to a 37-35 record and was named the Pioneer League's Manager of the Year. After four years as field coordinator, Foley became the Rays' director of minor league operations in 2000. He also managed an Arizona Fall League team, the Maryvale Saguaros, in 2001. He is the longest-tenured coach in Rays history.

Personal life He married Marta Wright on August 28, 1981, and they have three children together, Bryan, Brett and Brooke. Brett works within the Rays organization with his father. He is an area supervisor scout covering Iowa, Illinois, Minnesota and Wisconsin.