Who was Jim Poole? Former MLB Pitcher Dead at 57

The baseball community mourns the loss of former MLB relief pitcher, Jim Poole, who passed away on Friday at 57, as confirmed by Georgia Tech, his alma mater.

In 2021, Poole was diagnosed with ALS, commonly referred to as Lou Gehrig’s Disease.

Throughout his illustrious 11-year MLB career, Poole represented eight teams, with significant tenures at the San Francisco Giants and Baltimore Orioles. However, one of the most memorable moments of his career came during his time with Cleveland. In the 1995 World Series facing the Atlanta Braves, Poole conceded the series-deciding home run to David Justice, culminating in a 1-0 victory for the Braves, marked by Tom Glavine and Mark Wohlers’ stellar one-hit performance.

Reacting to the news, the Guardians shared their condolences on social media, stating, “We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Cleveland Indians 1995 World Series pitcher Jim Poole. Our thoughts are with the Poole family.”

With a career ERA of 4.31, the left-handed Poole also showcased his skills with teams like Texas Rangers, Philadelphia Phillies, Detroit Tigers, and Montreal Expos, wrapping up his professional journey post the 2000 season.

Poole’s legacy also shines brightly at Georgia Tech, where he not only set a record with 22 saves but was also recognized for his incredible strikeout rate, registering 263 strikeouts in 188 innings.