Choo-Choo Coleman
Born: 8/25/1935 in Orlando, FL, USA
Died: 8/15/2016 in Orangeburg, SC, USA
MLB Debut: 1961-04-16 | Final Game: 1966-04-23
Bats: L | Throws: R | Height: 5'9" | Weight: 165 lbs
Full name: Clarence Coleman
Biography
Choo-Choo Coleman, born in 1935, was a professional baseball player who played as a position player from 1961 to 1966. Over the course of his career, he appeared in 201 games, showcasing a unique blend of speed and power during an era defined by the transition from the more traditional styles of play to the increasing emphasis on power hitting. Coleman recorded 91 hits and hit 9 home runs, contributing 30 RBIs to his teams. His batting average settled at .197, a reflection of the challenges he faced in a league that was evolving rapidly in terms of hitting strategies.
Coleman's career spanned a pivotal time in Major League Baseball, marked by the integration of players and the increasing popularity of the game. He was known for his agility on the bases, finishing his playing days with 7 stolen bases, which highlighted his speed and ability to disrupt opposing defenses. Although his overall statistics might not place him among the legends of the game, Coleman’s contributions to his teams and his presence during a transformative period in baseball history remain significant. He left the game after his final appearance on April 23, 1966, but his legacy lives on as part of the rich tapestry of baseball's past.
Career Batting Statistics
| G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 201 | 462 | 51 | 91 | 8 | 2 | 9 | 30 | 7 | 37 | 85 | 0.197 | 0.266 | 0.281 | 0.548 | -1600.0 |
Season-by-Season Batting
| Year | Team | Lg | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1961 | PHI | NL | 34 | 47 | 3 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 8 | 0.128 | -435.9 |
| 1962 | NYN | NL | 55 | 152 | 24 | 38 | 7 | 2 | 6 | 17 | 2 | 11 | 24 | 0.250 | 40.7 |
| 1963 | NYN | NL | 106 | 247 | 22 | 44 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 9 | 5 | 24 | 49 | 0.178 | -1204.7 |
| 1966 | NYN | NL | 6 | 16 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0.188 | 0.0 |
Fielding Statistics
Career Fielding Totals by Position
| Position | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C | 154 | 113 | 667 | 82 | 18 | 12 |
| OF | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Season-by-Season Fielding
| Year | Team | Pos | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1961 | PHI | C | 14 | 5 | 38 | 4 | 1 | 1 |
| 1962 | NYN | C | 44 | 37 | 187 | 22 | 1 | 2 |
| 1963 | NYN | C | 91 | 66 | 418 | 54 | 15 | 9 |
| 1963 | NYN | OF | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1966 | NYN | C | 5 | 5 | 24 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
Career Games by Position
| Position | Games |
|---|---|
| Catcher | 154 |
| Left Field | 1 |