Tulsa Drillers 1B coach Mike Coolbaugh was killed Sunday evening after being struck by a foul ball line drive off the bat of Tulsa’s Tino Sanchez. The Drillers’ Texas League game against the Arkanasa Travelers was suspended in the 9th inning, and Coolbaugh was pronounced dead after being rushed to a Little Rock hospital.
Coolbaugh had a cup of coffee as an infielder with the Brewers and Cards earlier this decade during a professional playing career that began in 1990 ; his brother Scott is slightly better known through through brief stints with the Rangers, Padres and Cardinals.
I heard about this on ESPN this morning. 35 is way too young to die, of any cause. R.I.P. Mike..
I remember seeing this guy in the Triple-A All-Star game a few seasons ago; I didn’t know he’d retired, but at least he stayed in baseball until (if you’ll forgive the morbidness) the end. RIP indeed.
I also neglected to note Coolbaugh toiled on a pair of occasions for the Round Rock Express. I would imagine his passing will be acknowledged prior to tonight’s game with Oklahoma.
Indeed:
http://www.statesman.com/news/content/sports/stories/express/07/24/0724coolbaugh.html
Coolbaugh — you went out doing what you loved. That, I hope, is some comfort to your wife and children.
May your greatness be an inspiration for all who “play ball!”
Rest in peace dear man.
You can help support Mike’s family by sending donations to:
Mike Coolbaugh Family Fund
c/o Frost National Bank
1250 N.E. Loop 410
San Antonio, TX 78209
To many people around the country Mike Coolbaugh is a name in a headline and nothing more. I’ll tell you this: He did a stint with the AAA Indianapolis Indians before being called up by the Brewers and quite honestly, I probably wouldn’t know who he was had he never played in Indy. My young son thought Mike was the greatest baseball to ever walk the face of the earth. Mike was generous with his time both pre and post game to make sure he said “Hi” to my son. He knew where we were sitting and he would often wave during the game. Several times he brought my son down to the dugout during the game and treated him like a professional baseball player should treat a kid who loves baseball.
It’s been at least six years since we last saw Mike play in person and my entire family and I have been heart broken since hearing of his death. From one baseball lover to another… rest in peace Mike.
I knew Mike since the 4th grade. We met playing little league ball together. He was the first to support a girl playing baseball rather than softball. We would grow up together playing ball, though I moved over to softball, eventually and played with his younger sister Linda as we got older. Mike and I ended up at the same middle school and high school later. We never had less two classes together every single year. I was never fortunate enough to see him play in peron after high school(though I was always at the games then), but I sure did whoop and holler whenever I caught him on the tube, or in the paper. My own daughters 7, 5, & 3 began their tee-ball, base ball and softball careers this year and I must admit, Mike and his friendship was always one of those initial memories that would come when ever I went to the little league field to watch them play. The love of the game is what sparked our friendship. Other similarities (and differences) kept it close and many times not so close, but that is how most lifelong special ‘aquaintances’ go. I am so proud to have known him and so proud and happy he realized his dream that I was blessed to have actually seen him dream. He lived and died doing what he loved, no one can beat that. I feel for his family and will give my condolenses again in person. We all loved you Mike. I am sure they are playing our song somehwere up there, John Fogherty, “CENTERFIELD”, for you, me, Mikala, that other guy from study hall(Jeff?) and of course, our other Michael.