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6d ago

Joe Coleman, First-Ever MLB Draftee, Dies at 78

His son confirmed he died in his sleep in Tennessee after 15 major league seasons, decades helping shape pitchers at all levels.

American baseball pitcher Joe Coleman, of the Washington Senators, pictured at RFK Stadium in Washington, May 2, 1969.

Overview

  • He was the No. 3 pick in baseball’s inaugural 1965 draft and became the first draftee to debut in the majors with a four-hitter on Sept. 28, 1965.
  • Over 15 seasons with seven clubs, he compiled a 142–135 record with a 3.70 ERA and recorded 1,728 strikeouts.
  • In 1972 he earned All-Star honors and struck out a then-playoff record 14 batters in Game 3 of the American League Championship Series.
  • After retiring as a player in 1979, he spent decades as a pitching and bullpen coach for the Angels, Cardinals, Mariners and several minor-league teams.
  • He is survived by his wife Donna, daughter Kristen, son Casey and three grandchildren, and his family represents MLB’s first three-generation pitching lineage.