In Memoriam

ALEX COLE MADE A FAST IMPRESSION AS A ROOKIE| TIGERS CATCHER JIM PRICE BECAME LONGTIME BROADCASTER

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.

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.