Scott Fletcher
Mickey Mahler
Gus Trinados
Joe Coleman Sr. was the father of future Tiger
Joe Coleman Jr. of the Tigers. He started his major league career in
Philadelphia with the Athletics in 1942. He was a late season call up in
his debut and pitched 6 innings of relief and took the loss against the
Washington Senators. He was a tough luck pitcher in his debut in that
while he gave up 5 runs only 2 were earned. He got the first 5 batters
out before 4 singles brought in the first run. 3 hits and an error
in the 8th brought in the other runs. That was Joe’s only game in
the majors before his career was interrupted by World War II. Joe
was in the Navy but returned after the war in 1946. He was 14-10 at
Toronto in the Athletics AAA farm team when he was called up in
September. He did not do well losing 4 games and winning none in four
appearances. In 1947 he got his first win. It was a complete
game shutout of the Yankees. His second win was also a complete game
victory against the Yankees. He finished the 1947 season at 6-12 with a
4.32 ERA plus a save. His best year was the following season, 1948 when
he went 14-13 with a 4.09 ERA and an All-Star appearance. He pitched the
last three innings of the All-Star game and did not allow a hit or a run.
He did allow 2 walks. One of the walks was to Stan Musial. However,
he got back at Stan the Man when he made him the last out of the game and
earned a save in the All-Star game. Joe pitched one more season with
effectiveness before his drop off. He was 13-14 in 30 starts in 1949 but
dropped to 0-3 in 1950 in only 6 starts. He struggled for 4 more wins
with the Athletics spread out over 4 years before he was traded to the Orioles
in 1954 for former Tiger (who pitched to midget Eddie Gadel) Bob Cain. Joe
was a new player in 1954. At the age of 31 he found his groove and was
13-17 for the O’s with a 3.50 ERA. It earned him some votes for MVP that
season. However, in 1955 he did not have the same form. He was 0-1
for the O’s when they released him in July. The Tigers picked him
up. The Tiges use him as a closer and in 17 games he was 2-1 with one of
those wins against the Yankees and 3 saves and a 3.20 ERA. He was
released by the Tiges before the 1956 season. But that is not the end of
his impact on baseball. His son was Joe Coleman Jr. who pitched for the
Tiges in the 1970’s. Joe Jr. won 20 games twice with the Tiges and was on
the 1972 All-Star team. But wait, there is more. Joe Jr’s son is
Casey Coleman who is pitching with the Kansas City Royals this season.
Casey’s last game was July 5 against the Indians. Maybe Casey will end up
a Tiger and get an All-Star berth.
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