Alex Cole facts for kids

Alexander Cole Jr. (born August 17, 1965 – died August 18, 2023) was a professional baseball player from the United States. He played as an outfielder in Major League Baseball (MLB). Alex was well-known for his amazing speed on the baseball field.

Alex Cole's Baseball Journey

Alex Cole began his professional baseball career after being chosen by the St. Louis Cardinals. This happened in the second round of the 1985 MLB amateur draft. He made his first appearance in a Major League Baseball game with the Cleveland Indians. This exciting debut took place on July 27, 1990.

Speed on the Bases

Alex Cole was famous for his ability to steal bases. A stolen base happens when a runner advances to the next base while the pitcher is throwing the ball. On August 1, 1990, Alex showed off his speed by stealing five bases in just one game!

He was considered a big threat to steal bases. In 1990, even though he played in only 63 games, he stole 40 bases. This placed him fourth in the American League for stolen bases. His speed was so impressive that the Cleveland Indians made a big change. In 1991, they moved the outfield walls of Cleveland Municipal Stadium back. They hoped this would help their speedy players get more hits. However, this change also meant the Indians hit fewer home runs at home that year. Alex stole five bases in a game again on May 3, 1992, this time against the California Angels.

Playing for Different Teams

After playing with the Indians, Alex Cole was traded during the 1992 season. He then briefly played for the Pittsburgh Pirates. In 1993, he became a member of a brand new team, the Colorado Rockies. He was part of their very first team!

Alex was the starting center fielder and batted second in the lineup for the Rockies' first-ever game. This historic game was played against the New York Mets at Shea Stadium on April 5, 1993. After his time with the Rockies, he spent two years playing for the Minnesota Twins.

Later Career and Retirement

Alex Cole later signed with the Boston Red Sox. He spent most of the 1996 season playing for their AAA team, which is a minor league team just below the major leagues. His final Major League game was on May 22, 1996.

After his time in the MLB, Alex continued to play baseball in independent minor leagues. In 1997, he played for the Madison Black Wolf. Later that year, he joined the Charlotte Knights, which was a top team for the Florida Marlins. He also played in the Mexican League in 1998. Alex finished his baseball career playing three years for the Bridgeport Bluefish. This team is part of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball.

Alex Cole passed away on August 18, 2023, at the age of 58.

See also

In Spanish: Alex Cole para niños