Jim Poole, who played 11 seasons in the big leagues, died of complications from ALS. He was 57.
Georgia Tech, his alma mater, announced that Poole died Friday in the Atlanta area, surrounded by family. He was diagnosed two years ago with ALS, a progressive neurodegenerative condition also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease.
Poole made it to the majors with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1990 and played primarily with the Baltimore Orioles, Cleveland Indians and San Francisco Giants. The left-handed reliever also had stints with the Texas Rangers, Philadelphia Phillies, Detroit Tigers and Montreal Expos before retiring after the 2000 season.
Poole made 431 career appearances, all out of the bullpen. He finished 22-12 with four shutouts and a 4.31 ERA.
The most notable moment of his career came in 1995, when Cleveland won the AL pennant and faced the Atlanta Braves in the World Series. Poole made two appearances in that series, the second of which was in a scoreless Game 6 with the Indians needing a win to force a decisive Game 7.
Jim Poole, center, poses with his wife, Kim, left, and their son Hayden, right, in Baltimore
Taking over for Dennis Martinez with two on and two out in the fifth, Poole escaped the jam by fanning Hall of Fame slugger Fred McGriff. But Braves slugger David Justice led off the sixth with a towering homer over the right field fence that would be the only run in Atlanta’s championship victory. Tom Glavine and Mark Wohlers combined on a one-hitter in the 1-0 win.
Poole also made six postseason appearances for Cleveland in 1998, but the Indians were swept by the New York Yankees in the AL Championship Series.
In a total of 10 playoff appearances, Poole yielded four hits and two runs in 7 1/3 innings, with nine strikeouts.
“We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Cleveland Indians 1995 World Series pitcher Jim Poole,” the Cleveland team, now known as the Guardians, said in a statement posted on social media. “Our thoughts are with the Poole family.”
A native of Rochester, New York, Poole arrived at Georgia Tech and helped the Yellow Jackets win four straight Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament championships.
Poole plays for Cleveland against the New York Yankees during the 1998 ALCS
He pitched in 120 games, struck out 263 batters in 188 innings and still ranks first in the school record book with 22 career strikeouts, including 10 as a junior and nine as a senior. He was an All-ACC selection his final two seasons, graduated with a degree in electrical engineering and was enshrined in the Georgia Tech Sports Hall of Fame.
“It broke my heart this morning to hear of Jim Poole’s passing,” Georgia Tech baseball coach Danny Hall said in a statement. ‘He was a first-class husband, father and teammate. He loved Georgia Tech and was dedicated to serving our coaches and players for many years. He described the meaning of a Technical man. God rest his soul.’
A ninth-round pick by the Dodgers in the 1988 draft, Poole returned to his alma mater after his major league career to serve as a fundraiser and supporter of the baseball program.
He also served as the pitching coach at Johns Creek High School in suburban Atlanta.
Braves’ David Justice hits the game-winning homer off Poole in Game 6 of the 1995 World Series
After being diagnosed with ALS in 2021, Poole worked to raise awareness for the disease. He hosted an ALS Awareness Day during the 2022 baseball season, with the Yellow Jackets wearing Jim Poole shirts and both teams wearing honorary bracelets.
Georgia Tech has since changed its no. 21 awarded to the player who demonstrates self-determination, a strong academic work ethic and high character on and off the field.
“Jim Poole is a Georgia Tech legend, not only for his incredible accomplishments on the baseball diamond, but for the way he has attacked ALS over the past two years,” said Georgia Tech Athletic Director J Batt. “He is and will remain an inspiration.”
Poole is survived by his wife, Kim, three children and two grandchildren.