Headlines

  • Rangers Hire Bret Boone As Hitting Coach
  • A.J. Minter To Undergo Season-Ending Lat Surgery
  • Blue Jays Sign Spencer Turnbull
  • Blue Jays Sign José Ureña
  • Ross Stripling Retires
  • Rangers Place Leody Taveras On Outright Waivers
  • Previous
  • Next
Register
Login
  • Hoops Rumors
  • Pro Football Rumors
  • Pro Hockey Rumors

MLB Trade Rumors

  • Home
  • Teams
    • AL East
      • Baltimore Orioles
      • Boston Red Sox
      • New York Yankees
      • Tampa Bay Rays
      • Toronto Blue Jays
    • AL Central
      • Chicago White Sox
      • Cleveland Guardians
      • Detroit Tigers
      • Kansas City Royals
      • Minnesota Twins
    • AL West
      • Houston Astros
      • Los Angeles Angels
      • Oakland Athletics
      • Seattle Mariners
      • Texas Rangers
    • NL East
      • Atlanta Braves
      • Miami Marlins
      • New York Mets
      • Philadelphia Phillies
      • Washington Nationals
    • NL Central
      • Chicago Cubs
      • Cincinnati Reds
      • Milwaukee Brewers
      • Pittsburgh Pirates
      • St. Louis Cardinals
    • NL West
      • Arizona Diamondbacks
      • Colorado Rockies
      • Los Angeles Dodgers
      • San Diego Padres
      • San Francisco Giants
  • About
    • MLB Trade Rumors
    • Tim Dierkes
    • Writing team
    • Advertise
    • Archives
  • Contact
  • Tools
    • 2024-25 MLB Free Agent List
    • 2025-26 MLB Free Agent List
    • 2024-25 Top 50 MLB Free Agents With Predictions
    • Projected Arbitration Salaries For 2025
    • Free Agent Contest Leaderboard
    • Contract Tracker
    • Transaction Tracker
    • Agency Database
  • NBA/NFL/NHL
    • Hoops Rumors
    • Pro Football Rumors
    • Pro Hockey Rumors
  • App
  • Chats
Go To Pro Hockey Rumors
Go To Hoops Rumors

Alex Cole Passes Away

By Darragh McDonald | August 19, 2023 at 8:34am CDT

The Guardians announced that former big league outfielder Alex Cole recently passed away. He was 58 years old. The club also announced the passing of Dick Tomanek, who you can read about here.

Cole was born in Fayetteville, North Carolina in 1965. He attended the State College of Florida and was selected by the Pirates in the 11th round of the 1984 draft but didn’t sign. The next year, the Cardinals took him in the second round and he put pen to paper this time around. He climbed the minor league ladder with the Cards but was twice traded in 1990, first going to the Padres and then the Indians.

It was with that latter club that he made his major league debut, getting into 63 games in that 1990 season. He didn’t show much power, not hitting any home runs in his 256 plate appearances that year. But he produced a batting average of .300 and stole 40 bases in just 63 games.

He carved out regular playing time in the seasons to come and generally produced in a similar fashion, not providing much power but using his speed to propel himself around the basepaths. He stayed in Cleveland in 1991 before being traded to the Pirates midway through the 1992 campaign. After that season, he was selected by the Rockies in the expansion draft, becoming an inaugural member of that franchise. He would eventually reach free agency, signing with the Twins for 1994-1995 and Red Sox for 1996, which would prove to be his last season in the big leagues.

Over parts of seven seasons, Cole got into 573 major league games and made 2,012 plate appearances. He batted .280 in that time, racking up 493 hits, including 58 doubles, 26 triples and five home runs. He stole 148 bases in 207 attempts. He scored 286 runs and drove in 117.

We at MLB Trade Rumors extend our condolences to his family, friends and loved ones.

Share 0 Retweet 0 Send via email0

Boston Red Sox Cleveland Guardians Colorado Rockies Minnesota Twins Obituaries Pittsburgh Pirates

Dick Tomanek Passes Away
Main
Tony Gonsolin Placed On IL With Elbow Injury, Unlikely To Return This Year
View Comments (45)
Post a Comment

45 Comments

  1. dixoncayne

    2 years ago

    He was quite a speedster. And then Kenny Lofton arrived.

    6
    Reply
  2. Gwynning

    2 years ago

    My condolences to the Cole and Tomanek families. Go easy today Guard fam.

    8
    Reply
  3. joefleury

    2 years ago

    He was a fun player to watch from a different era. Fast, hustle, hard work, and doing the little things that added up to a really productive big leaguer.

    7
    Reply
  4. This one belongs to the Reds

    2 years ago

    I remember him well. Much too young. RIP.

    2
    Reply
  5. RonDarlingShouldntBeInTheHallOfFame

    2 years ago

    Too young..Seems like it’s happening more and more these days..

    3
    Reply
    • CardsnWolves

      2 years ago

      Yes. A preacher told me once that people are dying now that have never died before.

      3
      Reply
      • avenger65

        2 years ago

        CardsnWolves: I know you didn’t mean it the way it came out, but as I understand it, you only die once.

        1
        Reply
  6. Melchez17

    2 years ago

    He was a great player. Loved watching him play.

    Former Indian Bob Kelly must be very nervous today. 2 former Indians passing away and Kelly is in his 90’s…

    1
    Reply
  7. Monkey’s Uncle

    2 years ago

    Really enjoyed watching him play. Always remember those larger sunglasses he always wore. Way too young. R.I.P.

    4
    Reply
    • Arnold Ziffel

      2 years ago

      I remember him as one of the original Rockies, a very good expansion team, they swept Dodgers 4 straight in September and cost them the pennant.

      1
      Reply
    • Arnold Ziffel

      2 years ago

      I remember him as one of the original Rockies, a very good expansion team, they swept Dodgers 4 straight in September and cost them the pennant

      1
      Reply
  8. Old York

    2 years ago

    All I remember of him was breaking his leg in a game against the Brew Crew. That was an ugly injury.

    I’m sorry to hear he passed away at a young age.

    2
    Reply
  9. sufferforsnakes

    2 years ago

    Why all the infatuation with power? Some players, like Cole, aren’t built for power, but are necessary parts for every team.
    Also, to some of us, hitting and speed on the base paths is more exciting than watching the “three outcome” players.

    I enjoyed watching Cole play. May he rest in peace.

    14
    Reply
    • avenger65

      2 years ago

      sufferforsnakes: That irritates me, too.”He drove in over 100 runs, had 70 SB, and led the league in doubles and triples. But he only hit 3HRs so his useless metrics indicate that he’s on the decline and should be flipped before the deadline.” Some perspective in these articles would be more useful.

      Reply
  10. all in the suit that you wear

    2 years ago

    RIP

    2
    Reply
  11. rememberthecoop

    2 years ago

    Too young! RIP.

    2
    Reply
  12. BrettPhillips for Prezident

    2 years ago

    RIP and congratulations on living out a dream only a select few get to achieve.

    2
    Reply
  13. RSmith

    2 years ago

    RIP.

    Well written MLBTR, nice job.

    10
    Reply
  14. 3768902

    2 years ago

    He caught the final out of Scott Ericksons no hitter in 1994. Darn near collided with the SS who didnt hear him calling for the ball. Pretty on brand for the mid 90s Twinkies.

    Reply
    • Monkey’s Uncle

      2 years ago

      To be fair, Cole had many strengths, but defense wasn’t usually one of them.

      1
      Reply
      • avenger65

        2 years ago

        Twinkies? According to the article, he played for the Cards, Pirates, Padres and Indians.

        Reply
        • Brewers39

          2 years ago

          According to the article, he never played for the Cardinals and played for the Twins in 1994-95.

          1
          Reply
  15. Chris the Great

    2 years ago

    Love the overuse of Cleveland instead of the Indians.

    2
    Reply
    • roob

      2 years ago

      Can always tell a MAGAt. Ignores the point of the story. Uses every opportunity to complain about something. No consciousness. No humanity.

      3
      Reply
      • For Love of the Game

        2 years ago

        Please stop with the politics! Chris could have meant different things, but roob’s pejorative has only one intent.

        10
        Reply
        • DCartrow

          2 years ago

          Yeah he needs to change his roobrik.

          Spelling it backwards would be most apt.

          1
          Reply
      • Player to be named in the future 2

        2 years ago

        He is a Roob

        Reply
      • Baseball77

        2 years ago

        The irony of this post is rich.

        1
        Reply
      • Cooperdooper7

        2 years ago

        Also can always tell a lib….. misconstrues something to call out a person is a “conspiracy theorist”. and shows he is a complete moron in the process.

        Reply
        • toshiro

          2 years ago

          You still don’t know if Chris intended as Roob said. Should probly tread a little light just in case.

          Reply
      • el rey

        2 years ago

        You can always tell when a dumb ass opens his yapper too.

        Reply
    • claude raymond

      2 years ago

      Btw, if Chris read the Tomanek article, the writer mentioned “..he made his major league debut with the Indians..” One time. Not an overuse either. Seems to me the writer had no intent, political or otherwise, to do anything but give tribute to players that have passed. So, I’ll say loss sucks and respects to teammates, family and friends. And to Cole and Tomanek, go in peace.

      1
      Reply
    • miltpappas

      2 years ago

      I counted “Cleveland” once.

      2
      Reply
      • claude raymond

        2 years ago

        Milt, so did I. Chris apparently can’t count OR he needs learn the meaning of “overuse”

        Reply
    • CKinSTL

      2 years ago

      Once? You’re a real sensitive one, aren’t you?

      Reply
      • claude raymond

        2 years ago

        sarcasm ckin? I hope

        Reply
    • avenger65

      2 years ago

      Which the team should still be called. Cleveland gets the Guardians The Washington FB team gets the Commanders. Cleveland should have taken that name or the most popular name among fans that the owners ignored, the Spiders.

      Reply
    • Brewers39

      2 years ago

      Guardians, Indians and Cleveland were used once each.

      Reply
  16. NationalNightmare

    2 years ago

    He had a rough post-game life for awhile there. Hope he found peace later in life. Had the good fortune to see him play against Baltimore. One of my favorites from that 90-91 squad.

    2
    Reply
  17. CO Guardening

    2 years ago

    RIP Alex Cole. He was a promising player on some really bad Indians teams. Those 40 SB in 63 games was really impressive.

    1
    Reply
  18. Vince Ferragamo's Dog

    2 years ago

    RIP

    1
    Reply
  19. Edp007

    2 years ago

    RIP so young. Had him on fantasy team , when he came up .. on fire … my SB miraculously zoomed. Next season didn’t keep him , keeper league , Went for a lofty $17 in the draft. Never forget him .. see him now in my mind.

    Reply
  20. Rsox

    2 years ago

    First Center Fielder in Rockies history. Didn’t hit his first big league Home Run til the juiced ball year of 1994. Had a very brief cup of coffee with the Red Sox in ’96 which would prove to be his last MLB action.

    R.I.P. Alex

    Reply
  21. Baseball77

    2 years ago

    I got into baseball in 1990 and started collecting baseball cards like crazy. I can picture his 1991 Score card. It is sad to see players I rooted for as a young teenager pass away. May his family feel peace and comfort in their time of mourning.

    Reply
  22. cleveland_spider

    2 years ago

    I remember watching him when Indians games were free on WUAB channel 43. And he wore the rec specs

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Please login to leave a reply.

Log in Register

ad: 300x250_1_MLB

  • Top Stories
  • Recent

Rangers Hire Bret Boone As Hitting Coach

A.J. Minter To Undergo Season-Ending Lat Surgery

Blue Jays Sign Spencer Turnbull

Blue Jays Sign José Ureña

Ross Stripling Retires

Rangers Place Leody Taveras On Outright Waivers

Triston Casas Likely To Miss Entire 2025 Season Due To Knee Surgery

Orioles Recall Coby Mayo

Dodgers Recall Hyeseong Kim

Triston Casas Suffers “Significant Knee Injury”

Angels Place Mike Trout On 10-Day Injured List

Rangers Option Jake Burger

Tigers Designate Kenta Maeda For Assignment

Reds Option Alexis Diaz

Orioles Move Charlie Morton To Bullpen

Astros To Activate Lance McCullers Jr. This Weekend

A.J. Minter Could Require Season-Ending Surgery

Braves Sign Eddie Rosario, Option Jarred Kelenic

Walt Jocketty Passes Away

Guardians Designate Triston McKenzie For Assignment

Fantasy Baseball Subscriber Chat With Nicklaus Gaut

MLB Mailbag: Red Sox, Alcantara, Cubs, Nats, Tigers, Mets, Jays

MLBTR Podcast: Replacing Triston Casas, A Shakeup In Texas, And The Blue Jays’ Rotation

The Astros’ Second Ace

Angels Outright Touki Toussaint

Orioles Acquire Luis F. Castillo From Mariners

Royals Sign Stephen Nogosek To Minor League Contract

Kris Bryant To Undergo Ablation Procedure On Back

Orioles To Sign Naykel Cruz

Poll: When Should The White Sox Trade Luis Robert Jr.?

ad: 300x250_5_side_mlb

MLBTR Newsletter - Hot stove highlights in your inbox, five days a week

Latest Rumors & News

Latest Rumors & News

  • 2024-25 Top 50 MLB Free Agents With Predictions
  • Nolan Arenado Rumors
  • Dylan Cease Rumors
  • Luis Robert Rumors
  • Marcus Stroman Rumors

 

Trade Rumors App for iOS and Android

MLBTR Features

MLBTR Features

  • Remove Ads, Support Our Writers
  • Front Office Originals
  • Front Office Fantasy Baseball
  • MLBTR Podcast
  • 2024-25 Offseason Outlook Series
  • 2025 Arbitration Projections
  • 2024-25 MLB Free Agent List
  • 2025-26 MLB Free Agent List
  • Contract Tracker
  • Transaction Tracker
  • Extension Tracker
  • Agency Database
  • MLBTR On Twitter
  • MLBTR On Facebook
  • Team Facebook Pages
  • How To Set Up Notifications For Breaking News
  • Hoops Rumors
  • Pro Football Rumors
  • Pro Hockey Rumors

Rumors By Team

  • Angels Rumors
  • Astros Rumors
  • Athletics Rumors
  • Blue Jays Rumors
  • Braves Rumors
  • Brewers Rumors
  • Cardinals Rumors
  • Cubs Rumors
  • Diamondbacks Rumors
  • Dodgers Rumors
  • Giants Rumors
  • Guardians Rumors
  • Mariners Rumors
  • Marlins Rumors
  • Mets Rumors
  • Nationals Rumors
  • Orioles Rumors
  • Padres Rumors
  • Phillies Rumors
  • Pirates Rumors
  • Rangers Rumors
  • Rays Rumors
  • Red Sox Rumors
  • Reds Rumors
  • Rockies Rumors
  • Royals Rumors
  • Tigers Rumors
  • Twins Rumors
  • White Sox Rumors
  • Yankees Rumors

ad: 160x600_MLB

Navigation

  • Sitemap
  • Archives
  • RSS/Twitter Feeds By Team

MLBTR INFO

  • Advertise
  • About
  • Commenting Policy
  • Privacy Policy

Connect

  • Contact Us
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • RSS Feed

MLB Trade Rumors is not affiliated with Major League Baseball, MLB or MLB.com

hide arrows scroll to top

Register

Desktop Version | Switch To Mobile Version