Donnelly had been slated to spend 2014 as manager of the Tacoma Rainiers of the Pacific Coast League, the Mariners' Triple-A affiliate.

[3] However, Stearns underwent hiatal hernia surgery prior to spring training on February 24, and his slower-than-expected recovery caused him to step down to a professional scouting post with the Mariners.

Prior to joining the Mariners' organization in 2014, Donnelly spent three seasons (2011–2013) as manager of the Brooklyn Cyclones of the New York–Penn League, Short Season-A farm club of the New York Mets.

Donnelly graduated from Steubenville Catholic Central High School in Ohio where he played baseball and basketball.

He was a third base coach for the Milwaukee Brewers from 2003 to 2005 and for the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2006 and 2007, then worked in player development for the Pittsburgh Pirates from 2008 to 2010.

[5] Donnelly rejoined the Brooklyn Cyclones for their 2018 season as the Bench Coach to manager Edgardo Alfonzo.

[9] In 1997, as a member of the Florida Marlins, he met Craig Counsell, a player his son Tim nicknamed "Chicken" because of his unique batting stance.

Rich's sons Tim and Mike, who were honorary bat boys that evening, rushed to their father in celebration.

Donnelly believes that Amy was sending him a message from Heaven, and this experience has strengthened his faith in God.

Lyndsee Longoria, the woman that Michael saved, keeps in contact with Donnelly, who comforted her in the difficult months after the accident.