Vince Coleman (baseball) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Vince Coleman |
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Coleman in 2016
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| Left fielder | |||
| Born: September 22, 1961 Jacksonville, Florida, U.S. |
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| debut | |||
| April 18, 1985, for the St. Louis Cardinals | |||
| Last appearance | |||
| April 14, 1997, for the Detroit Tigers | |||
| MLB statistics | |||
| Batting average | .264 | ||
| Home runs | 28 | ||
| Runs batted in | 346 | ||
| Stolen bases | 752 | ||
| Teams | |||
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| Career highlights and awards | |||
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Vincent Maurice Coleman (born September 22, 1961) is an American former Major League Baseball (MLB) player. He is best known for his time with the St. Louis Cardinals. Vince played as a left fielder from 1985 to 1997. He set many stolen base records during his career. He could bat from both sides of the plate as a switch hitter and threw with his right hand.
After his playing career, Vince worked as a baserunning consultant. He helped the Chicago White Sox in 2015. In 2017, the San Francisco Giants hired him. He coached baserunning and outfield skills for their minor league teams.
Contents
Early Life and Sports
Vince Coleman grew up in Jacksonville, Florida. He went to William M. Raines High School there. Later, he attended Florida A&M University in Tallahassee.
College Sports Star
At Florida A&M, Vince was a talented athlete in two sports. In 1981, he set a college record for stolen bases in baseball. He stole seven bases in one game! He also had 65 stolen bases in that season. This made him the top player in NCAA Division I for steals and stolen base percentage.
Vince also played American football for the Florida A&M Rattlers football team. He was a kicker and punter. His cousin, Greg Coleman, was also a punter at Florida A&M and played in the National Football League. Vince was part of the Rattlers team that won a championship in 1978. He was named to the all-conference team in 1980 and 1981. He even kicked a game-winning field goal in a big game in 1979.
Choosing Baseball
In 1982, Vince signed with the Washington Redskins football team. But he left after a week because they wanted him to play a different position. He decided to focus on baseball instead.
The St. Louis Cardinals drafted him in 1982. He quickly showed his amazing speed. In 1983, he stole 145 bases for the Macon Redbirds. He did this even though he missed a month with a broken hand. The next year, he stole 101 bases for the Louisville Redbirds. After that, he was called up to play in the major leagues.
Major League Baseball Career
Vince Coleman became famous for his speed and baserunning. He was one of the most exciting players to watch.
St. Louis Cardinals Years
In his first year with the Cardinals in 1985, Vince stole 110 bases. This is one of the highest totals in Major League history. He continued to steal over 100 bases in the next two seasons as well. This made him the only player in the 20th century to steal 100 or more bases for three years in a row. He was also the first player ever to do this in his first three seasons.
Vince led the National League in stolen bases every year he played for the Cardinals (1985–1990). He is one of only four players to lead their league in steals for six years in a row. Other players who stole 100 bases in a season include Rickey Henderson, Maury Wills, and Lou Brock. Only Vince and Rickey Henderson have three different 100-steal seasons.
As the leadoff hitter, Vince helped the Cardinals reach the playoffs in 1985. However, he got hurt before Game 4 of the playoffs. A tarp on the field rolled over his leg. This injury kept him out of the rest of the postseason. The Cardinals lost the World Series that year. After the season, Vince won the NL Rookie of the Year Award. All the voters agreed he was the best rookie.
In 1987, Vince had his best season. He hit for a .289 batting average and scored 121 runs. He also stole 109 bases. He stole both second and third base in the same inning 13 times that year! He played in the World Series, which was his only one. He stole six bases in the Series. He also made two great throws from left field to home plate for outs in Game 7. The Cardinals lost the Series to the Minnesota Twins.
In 1989, Vince had an amazing streak. He stole 50 bases in a row without being caught! This streak ended on July 28, 1989. In June 1990, he stole his 500th base. He reached this milestone faster than any other player. As of 2024, he is the last player to steal 100 bases in a single season.
New York Mets Challenges
After the 1990 season, Vince joined the New York Mets. He signed a big contract. However, his time with the Mets was difficult. He missed many games due to injuries. He also had some disagreements with his coaches.
In 1993, Vince had an incident where he threw a lit firecracker. It landed near fans waiting for autographs. Three children were hurt. Vince was given community service for this. The Mets suspended him. The team decided he would not return for the next season.
Later Career and Retirement
After the Mets, Vince played for several other teams. He played for the Kansas City Royals and the Seattle Mariners in 1995. In 1996, he played for the Cincinnati Reds. His final season in the major leagues was in 1997 with the Detroit Tigers. He did not play much and did not have much success.
In 1998, Vince tried to return to the St. Louis Cardinals. He played well in spring training. But he did not make the main team. He played for their minor league team, the Memphis Redbirds. He played well there, but he decided to retire in May 1998.
Vince Coleman ranks sixth all-time in career stolen bases in Major League Baseball, with 752. He also has a high stolen base percentage, meaning he was very good at stealing bases without getting caught.
Coaching Career
After his playing days, Vince Coleman shared his knowledge of baserunning.
- In 2015, he joined the Chicago White Sox as a baserunning instructor.
- In 2017, the San Francisco Giants hired him. He worked as a coach for their minor league teams, teaching baserunning and outfield skills.
Major Accomplishments
Vince Coleman achieved many great things in his baseball career:
- He ranks sixth all-time in career stolen bases (752).
- He won the NL Rookie of the Year Award in 1985.
- He holds the record for most stolen bases by a rookie, with 110 in 1985.
- He has three of the top six stolen base seasons in history: 110 in 1985, 109 in 1987, and 107 in 1986. These three seasons were in a row.
- He is the only player ever to steal 100 or more bases in three consecutive seasons.
- He was the last player to steal 100 bases in a season, which he did in 1987.
- He was a two-time All-Star (1988–89).
- He led Major League Baseball in stolen bases four times (1985–87, 1990).
- He led the National League in stolen bases for six years in a row (1985–90).
- He holds an MLB record with 50 consecutive stolen bases without being caught (September 18, 1988 – July 26, 1989).
See also
- List of Major League Baseball stolen base records
- List of Major League Baseball individual streaks
- List of Major League Baseball career stolen bases leaders
- List of Major League Baseball annual stolen base leaders
- Major League Baseball titles leaders
- List of St. Louis Cardinals team records
