ALEX COLE MADE A FAST IMPRESSION AS A ROOKIE
Alex Cole's rookie season in 1990 seemed to be an indication of greatness to come. Instead, it proved to be the high-water mark of a seven-year MLB career.
When the 24-year-old center fielder broke into Cleveland's lineup during the summer of 1990, he went 0-for-4. But in the second game of that July 27 doubleheader, he went 3-for-4 and stole a base.
Cole's speed made an impact in game after game over the next few months. He stole five bases in a game on Aug. 1, scored four runs in a three-hit game three days later and kept his batting average at .300 or better for the remainder of that season.
Cole finished ninth in American League Rookie of the Year voting after he stole 40 bases in just 63 games. He hit .300/.379/.357 as Cleveland's primary leadoff hitter.
That would prove to be Cole's career year. He later was a pick of Colorado in the expansion draft and became an original Rockie when the team debuted in 1993. He spent only one year in Colorado, bounced to the Twins for two years and finished his MLB career with 24 games with the Red Sox in 1996.
Cole compiled a career .360 on-base percentage with a slap-hitting approach and high walk rate. He stole 148 bases in seven seasons.
Cole died on Aug. 19. He was 58.
[https://cdn.magzter.com/1398697516/1693837706/articles/lJK-I_fxt1693910984727/3177638838.jpg]
TIGERS CATCHER JIM PRICE BECAME LONGTIME BROADCASTER
Jim Price was the Tigers' backup catcher from 1967 to 1971. In that role, he got very comfortable hanging out in the dugout, which would serve him well later in life.
A Pirates minor leaguer, Price's contract was sold to the Tigers at the start of 1967. He immediately became Detroit's backup to Bill Freehan. But Freehan was both an all-star and an iron man.
In 1967, Freehan played in 155 games with 618 plate appearances. Spending the whole year on the roster, Price made only one start in April and one more in May. He started 22 games that year and finished with fewer than 100 plate appearances.
Price topped 200 plate appearances in a season only once, in 1969. He was the backup catcher on the Tigers' 1968 World Series champions, though he got just two PAs in the World Series.
Price decided to retire after the 1971 season, even though he was just turning 30. He found he had a talent for broadcasting and eventually became a fixture on Tigers broadcasts.
Price spent 31 years as a Tigers broadcaster, spending much of that time working with Ernie Harwell on the radio. He never retired and was still part of the Tigers' broadcast team in 2023.
Price passed away on Aug. 7. He was 81.
[https://cdn.magzter.com/1398697516/1693837706/articles/lJK-I_fxt1693910984727/1988381336.jpg]
Braves Prospect Mel Roach Could Have Been A Star With Better Luck
When Mel Roach was at Virginia, he truly did it all. He played quarterback and defensive back in football, was a solid scorer in basketball and starred as a hitter and infielder on the diamond.
So it was no surprise that he was in high demand from baseball scouts. Ultimately Roach's career proved to be a question of what could have been.
Because he signed for $40,000, Roach had to sit on the Milwaukee Braves' MLB roster for two seasons-1953 and '54-as a so-called bonus baby. Having played in just eight games in two years, Roach then missed two more seasons due to military service.
Roach was 24 years old when he returned to baseball in...
Alex Cole's rookie season in 1990 seemed to be an indication of greatness to come. Instead, it proved to be the high-water mark of a seven-year MLB career.
When the 24-year-old center fielder broke into Cleveland's lineup during the summer of 1990, he went 0-for-4. But in the second game of that July 27 doubleheader, he went 3-for-4 and stole a base.
Cole's speed made an impact in game after game over the next few months. He stole five bases in a game on Aug. 1, scored four runs in a three-hit game three days later and kept his batting average at .300 or better for the remainder of that season.
Cole finished ninth in American League Rookie of the Year voting after he stole 40 bases in just 63 games. He hit .300/.379/.357 as Cleveland's primary leadoff hitter.
That would prove to be Cole's career year. He later was a pick of Colorado in the expansion draft and became an original Rockie when the team debuted in 1993. He spent only one year in Colorado, bounced to the Twins for two years and finished his MLB career with 24 games with the Red Sox in 1996.
Cole compiled a career .360 on-base percentage with a slap-hitting approach and high walk rate. He stole 148 bases in seven seasons.
Cole died on Aug. 19. He was 58.
[https://cdn.magzter.com/1398697516/1693837706/articles/lJK-I_fxt1693910984727/3177638838.jpg]
TIGERS CATCHER JIM PRICE BECAME LONGTIME BROADCASTER
Jim Price was the Tigers' backup catcher from 1967 to 1971. In that role, he got very comfortable hanging out in the dugout, which would serve him well later in life.
A Pirates minor leaguer, Price's contract was sold to the Tigers at the start of 1967. He immediately became Detroit's backup to Bill Freehan. But Freehan was both an all-star and an iron man.
In 1967, Freehan played in 155 games with 618 plate appearances. Spending the whole year on the roster, Price made only one start in April and one more in May. He started 22 games that year and finished with fewer than 100 plate appearances.
Price topped 200 plate appearances in a season only once, in 1969. He was the backup catcher on the Tigers' 1968 World Series champions, though he got just two PAs in the World Series.
Price decided to retire after the 1971 season, even though he was just turning 30. He found he had a talent for broadcasting and eventually became a fixture on Tigers broadcasts.
Price spent 31 years as a Tigers broadcaster, spending much of that time working with Ernie Harwell on the radio. He never retired and was still part of the Tigers' broadcast team in 2023.
Price passed away on Aug. 7. He was 81.
[https://cdn.magzter.com/1398697516/1693837706/articles/lJK-I_fxt1693910984727/1988381336.jpg]
Braves Prospect Mel Roach Could Have Been A Star With Better Luck
When Mel Roach was at Virginia, he truly did it all. He played quarterback and defensive back in football, was a solid scorer in basketball and starred as a hitter and infielder on the diamond.
So it was no surprise that he was in high demand from baseball scouts. Ultimately Roach's career proved to be a question of what could have been.
Because he signed for $40,000, Roach had to sit on the Milwaukee Braves' MLB roster for two seasons-1953 and '54-as a so-called bonus baby. Having played in just eight games in two years, Roach then missed two more seasons due to military service.
Roach was 24 years old when he returned to baseball in...
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Baseball America (Digital) - 1 Issue, September 2023