Kevin Cash facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Kevin Cash
Cash in 2015
Tampa Bay Rays – No. 16
Catcher / Manager
Born: (1977-12-06) December 6, 1977 (age 47) Tampa, Florida, U.S.
Batted: Right Threw: Right
debut
September 6, 2002, for the Toronto Blue Jays
Last appearance
October 3, 2010, for the Boston Red Sox
MLB statistics (through June 27, 2025)
Batting average	.183
Home runs	12
Runs batted in	58
Managerial record	865–735
Winning %	.541
Teams
As player Toronto Blue Jays (2002–2004) Tampa Bay Devil Rays (2005) Boston Red Sox (2007–2008) New York Yankees (2009) Houston Astros (2010) Boston Red Sox (2010) As manager Tampa Bay Rays (2015–present) As coach Cleveland Indians (2013–2014)
Career highlights and awards
2× AL Manager of the Year (2020, 2021)

Kevin Forrest Cash, born on December 6, 1977, is an American professional baseball manager. He currently manages the Tampa Bay Rays in Major League Baseball (MLB). Before becoming a manager, Cash played as a catcher for several MLB teams. These included the Toronto Blue Jays, Tampa Bay Devil Rays, Boston Red Sox, New York Yankees, and Houston Astros.

Cash was a bullpen coach for the Cleveland Indians before joining the Rays in December 2014. He won the American League Manager of the Year award in both 2020 and 2021. This made him the first manager in the American League to win the award two years in a row. He has been the longest-serving manager in MLB since the start of the 2024 season.

Early Baseball Days

Kevin Cash grew up playing baseball in Tampa, Florida. He was a second baseman for Northside Little League. His team even made it to the 1989 Little League World Series.

He went to Gaither High School. At first, he didn't make the school's baseball team. But he kept working hard!

College Career at Florida State

After high school, Cash played college baseball for the Florida State Seminoles baseball team. He played under coach Mike Martin. Cash started 148 games as an infielder. He had a batting average of .299.

In 1998, he played in a special exhibition game. It was the first game ever for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. They played against the Seminoles. Cash also played in two College World Series in 1998 and 1999. In 1999, his team finished second. He was even named second-team All-American at third base.

Becoming a Catcher

In the summer of 1999, Cash played for the Falmouth Commodores. He volunteered to play catcher for the team. In his very first inning behind the plate, he threw out two runners! He became an All-Star and the team's MVP that year.

Playing in the Major Leagues

Starting with the Blue Jays

In August 1999, Kevin Cash signed with the Toronto Blue Jays. He was not chosen in the draft, but he still got a chance. He started his professional career with the Hagerstown Suns. Even though he played third base in college, he was told to learn how to be a catcher.

In 2001, he played for the Dunedin Blue Jays. He hit .283 with 12 home runs. He was also very good at throwing out runners. In 2002, he moved up to Double-A. He hit .277 and had 44 RBI. He was promoted to Triple-A in June. In September, he made his major league debut. He got his first hit on September 11.

Cash started the 2003 season in Triple-A. He hit .270 with eight home runs. He also played in the All-Star Futures Game. In August, he was called back up to the major leagues. He hit his first major league home run on September 27. In 2004, Cash was the starting catcher for the Blue Jays.

Time with the Devil Rays

In December 2004, Cash was traded to the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. He started the season with a shoulder injury. But he returned in June and hit a home run on his first pitch back! He played 13 games for the Devil Rays.

Playing for the Red Sox

Cash with the 2008 Red Sox

Cash signed with the Boston Red Sox in 2007. He spent most of that season in the minor leagues. In August, he was called up to the Red Sox. He became the backup catcher for the 2008 season. He often caught for knuckleball pitcher Tim Wakefield.

Cash was on the Red Sox team that made the playoffs in 2008. He hit a home run in his first playoff at-bat! After the 2008 season, he became a free agent.

New York Yankees and Houston Astros

Cash with the 2009 New York Yankees

In 2009, Cash signed with the New York Yankees. He played 10 games for them. He then had surgery for a shoulder injury.

Before the 2010 season, he signed with the Houston Astros. He even pitched in one game for them! He played 20 games for the Astros.

Second Time with the Red Sox

In July 2010, Cash was traded back to the Boston Red Sox. He played 29 games as their backup catcher. After the season, he became a free agent again. He then played one more season in the minor leagues for the Texas Rangers in 2011.

Life After Playing Baseball

Becoming a Coach

On January 8, 2012, Kevin Cash announced he was retiring as a player. He then became a scout for the Blue Jays.

After the 2012 season, he joined the Cleveland Indians as their bullpen coach. He worked under manager Terry Francona. Cash stayed with the Indians for the 2013 and 2014 seasons.

Managing the Tampa Bay Rays

In December 2014, the Tampa Bay Rays hired Kevin Cash as their new manager. He became the youngest manager in MLB at the time. His first contract was for five years.

• 2015-2017 Seasons: In 2015, the Rays finished with an 82–80 record. In 2016, they had a tough year with an 11-game losing streak. But the team's owner supported Cash. In 2017, the Rays improved their record to 80–82.
• Introducing the "Opener": In 2018, Cash and the Rays started using a new strategy called the "opener". This is when a relief pitcher starts the game for a few batters. Then, another pitcher comes in to pitch for many innings. This idea became popular with other MLB teams. Cash also became known for making unusual player changes during games. The Rays finished with a 90–72 record in 2018.
• Playoff Success: In 2019, the Rays continued to use the opener strategy. They made it to the American League Wild Card game. They beat the Oakland Athletics but then lost to the Houston Astros. Cash was named American League Manager of the Year by Sporting News for leading his team to the playoffs.
• World Series Appearance: The 2020 Rays finished first in their division. They won many playoff games and reached the 2020 World Series. They played against the Los Angeles Dodgers but lost the series. Cash made a controversial decision in Game 6. He took out his starting pitcher, Blake Snell, even though Snell was pitching very well. Many people debated this decision. Despite the loss, Cash won his first official American League Manager of the Year Award.
• Back-to-Back Awards: In 2021, the Rays won their division again. They faced the Boston Red Sox in the playoffs but lost. However, Cash won his second Manager of the Year award. This was the first time an AL manager won it two years in a row!
• Recent Seasons: In 2022, the Rays made the playoffs again but were swept by the Cleveland Guardians. In 2023, Cash's team started with a 13-game winning streak. They finished with a strong 99–63 record. But they were swept again in the playoffs by the Texas Rangers. Cash finished third in Manager of the Year voting that year.
• Long-Term Commitment: In February 2024, the Rays announced that Cash signed a contract extension. On May 4, 2024, Cash earned his 755th career win. This made him the winningest manager in Tampa Bay Rays history! It was reported in June 2024 that Cash is under contract with the Rays through the 2030 season.

Managerial Record

Personal Life

Kevin Cash is married to Emily, and they have three children. They live in Pinellas County, Florida. His uncle, Ron Cash, also played in MLB.

Awards and Honors

• 1999 College World Series – Tallahassee Regional MVP
• 2001 Florida State League – All-Star Team
• 2002 All-Star Futures Game
• 2020 AL Manager of the Year
• 2021 AL Manager of the Year