Former MLB pitcher Jim Poole dies of ALS at 57. He gave up winning homer in ’95 World Series

ATLANTA (AP) — Jim Poole, who pitched within the large leagues for 11 seasons and gave up the deciding homer to Atlanta’s David Justice within the 1995 World Collection, died of issues from ALS. He was 57.

Georgia Tech, his alma mater, introduced that Poole died Friday within the Atlanta space surrounded by household. He was identified two years in the past with ALS, a progressive neurodegenerative situation often known as Lou Gehrig’s Illness.

Poole made it to the majors with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1990 and performed predominantly with the Baltimore Orioles, Cleveland Indians and San Francisco Giants. The left-handed reliever additionally had stints with the Texas Rangers, Philadelphia Phillies, Detroit Tigers and Montreal Expos earlier than his retirement after the 2000 season.

Poole made 431 appearances over his profession, all of them out of the bullpen. He completed 22-12 with 4 saves and a 4.31 ERA.

Probably the most notable second of his profession got here in 1995, when Cleveland received the AL pennant and confronted the Braves within the World Collection. Poole made two appearances in that Collection, the second of them in a scoreless Sport 6 with the Indians needing a win to power a decisive Sport 7.

Taking up for Dennis Martinez with two on and two out within the fifth, Poole escaped the jam by fanning Corridor of Fame slugger Fred McGriff. However Justice led off the sixth with a towering homer over the right-field fence that will be the lone run in Atlanta’s championship-clinching victory. Tom Glavine and Mark Wohlers mixed on a one-hitter within the 1-0 win.

Poole additionally made six postseason appearances for Cleveland in 1998, however the Indians have been knocked off by the New York Yankees within the AL Championship Collection.

In a complete of 10 playoff outings, Poole yielded 4 hits and two runs in 7 1/3 innings, with 9 strikeouts.

“We’re deeply saddened to listen to of the passing of Cleveland Indians 1995 World Collection pitcher Jim Poole,” the Cleveland workforce, now often known as the Guardians, mentioned in an announcement posted to social media. “Our ideas are with the Poole household.”

Poole, a local of Rochester, New York, arrived at Georgia Tech and helped the Yellow Jackets win 4 straight Atlantic Coast Convention Match championships.

He pitched in 120 video games, struck out 263 batters in 188 innings and nonetheless ranks first within the college document guide with 22 profession saves, together with 10 as a junior and 9 as a senior. He was an All-ACC choice his final two seasons, graduated with a level in electrical engineering and was enshrined within the Georgia Tech Sports activities Corridor of Fame.

“It broke my coronary heart this morning to be taught of Jim Poole’s passing,” Georgia Tech baseball coach Danny Corridor mentioned in an announcement. “He was a first-class husband, father and teammate. He cherished Georgia Tech and was devoted to serving our coaches and gamers for a few years. He epitomized the that means of a Tech man. God relaxation his soul.”

A ninth-round choose by the Dodgers within the 1988 draft, Poole returned to his alma mater after his large league profession to function a fundraiser and supporter of the baseball program.

He additionally served because the pitching coach at Johns Creek Excessive Faculty in suburban Atlanta.

After being identified with ALS in 2021, Poole labored to lift consciousness for the illness. He hosted an ALS Consciousness Day in the course of the 2022 baseball season, with the Yellow Jackets carrying Jim Poole shirts and each groups carrying honorary wristbands.

Georgia Tech has since assigned his No. 21 to the participant who exemplifies self-determination, a powerful tutorial work ethic and excessive character on and off the sphere.

“Jim Poole is a Georgia Tech legend, not only for his unbelievable achievements on the baseball diamond, however for the best way that he attacked ALS over the previous two years,” Georgia Tech athletic director J Batt mentioned. “He’s and can stay an inspiration.”

Poole is survived by his spouse, Kim, three kids and two grandchildren.