Jim Coates facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Jim Coates |
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Coates pitched for the Hawaii Islanders in 1969–70, his last two seasons in pro baseball
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| Pitcher | |||
| Born: August 4, 1932 Farnham, Virginia, U.S. |
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| Died: November 15, 2019 (aged 87) Lancaster, Virginia, U.S. |
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| debut | |||
| September 21, 1956, for the New York Yankees | |||
| Last appearance | |||
| September 30, 1967, for the California Angels | |||
| MLB statistics | |||
| Win–loss record | 43–22 | ||
| Earned run average | 4.00 | ||
| Strikeouts | 396 | ||
| Teams | |||
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| Career highlights and awards | |||
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James Alton Coates (August 4, 1932 – November 15, 2019) was an American professional baseball pitcher. He was a right-handed pitcher who played in Major League Baseball for several teams. These included the famous New York Yankees, the Washington Senators, the Cincinnati Reds, and the Los Angeles/California Angels. Jim Coates was born in Farnham, Virginia, and was known for being quite tall at 6 feet 4 inches.
Playing Career
Starting Out in Baseball
Jim Coates began his baseball journey when the New York Yankees signed him in 1951. He spent seven years playing in the Yankees' minor league teams. These teams are like training grounds for young players. He first played in a Major League game in 1956.
For the next two seasons, he mostly played in the minor leagues. In 1958, he couldn't play much because he broke his elbow.
Returning Strong in 1959
After recovering fully, Coates had a great year in 1959. He played in 37 games, mostly as a relief pitcher. He won six games and only lost one. His earned run average (ERA) was 2.87, which is a very good score for a pitcher.
However, the Yankees team had a tough year in 1959. They finished third in their league, which was unusual for them.
The 1960 World Series
In 1960, Coates continued to play well, winning 13 games and losing only 3. He was chosen to be an All-Star that year. This was a big honor, and he pitched two scoreless innings in one of the two All-Star games played that season.
Coates was part of the Yankees team that won the American League championship in 1960. However, they lost the World Series to the Pittsburgh Pirates in a very close seven-game series. In Game 1, Coates gave up a home run that helped the Pirates win.
Later in the series, in Game 7, Coates pitched during a critical moment. The Yankees were ahead, but the Pirates started to score. Coates had a tough time and gave up a home run that put the Pirates in the lead. Even though the Yankees tied the game later, they eventually lost the series on another home run.
Winning Championships in 1961 and 1962
In 1961, Coates had another strong season, winning 11 games and losing 5. The Yankees, led by star players like Mickey Mantle and Roger Maris, had an amazing year. They won the World Series against the Cincinnati Reds in five games. Coates helped the team by pitching four scoreless innings in Game 4, earning a save.
In 1962, Coates won 7 games and lost 6. The Yankees were champions again, winning the World Series against the San Francisco Giants in seven games. Coates pitched well in Game 6, throwing over two scoreless innings. This was his last game playing for the New York Yankees.
Later Career with Other Teams
On April 21, 1963, Coates was traded by the Yankees to another team. He then played 80 more games for three different Major League teams until 1967. These teams included the Washington Senators, the Cincinnati Reds, and the Los Angeles/California Angels.
Even though his record wasn't as strong after leaving the Yankees, he still had some great moments. For example, in 1966, he pitched a complete game shutout for the Angels, meaning the other team didn't score any runs while he was pitching. He also played very well in the minor leagues, winning 17 games for the Seattle Angels in 1968. He retired from professional baseball in 1970, after playing for 19 seasons.
Legacy and Life After Baseball
Jim Coates played in 247 Major League Baseball games during his career. He won 43 games and lost 22, which is a very good winning percentage. He also had 17 saves and four shutouts. His career earned run average was 4.00, and he recorded 396 strikeouts.
Coates was sometimes known by the nickname, "The Mummy," because of his serious expression when he was pitching. He was also known for sometimes throwing pitches close to opposing batters.
In 2012, Jim Coates wrote a book about his life called Always a Yankee. In 1994, he was honored by being inducted into the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame. Jim Coates passed away on November 15, 2019, at the age of 87.
Images for kids
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Coates pitched for the Hawaii Islanders in 1969–70, his last two seasons in pro baseball
