Former Major League Baseball reliever Jim Poole has died at the age of 57 following a two-year battle with ALS, his alma mater, Georgia Tech, announced on its official athletics website Saturday (October 7).
"Georgia Tech athletics mourns the loss of Georgia Tech Hall of Famer and Major League Baseball relief pitcher Jim Poole, who died on Friday," the athletic program wrote.
Poole pitched for eight MLB teams during his 11-year career from 1990 to 2000, which included four seasons with the Baltimore Orioles (1991-94) and four with the now-Cleveland Guardians (1995-96, 1998, 1999). The Rochester native made two appearances for the Guardians in the 1995 World Series, both in road losses, which included retiring all three batters he faced in the seventh inning of Game 2, as well as recording one out before allowing a three-run home run to Atlanta Braves slugger David Justice, making him the losing pitcher of Game 6.
"We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Cleveland Indians 1995 World Series pitcher Jim Poole. Poole, 57, was diagnosed with ALS just two years ago. Our thoughts are with the Poole family. #ForTheLand," the Guardians wrote on their X account Saturday.
Poole finished his MLB career with a 22-12 record, 4.31 ERA, four saves and 256 strikeouts in 431 total appearances. The Rochester native had worked to raise awareness for ALS since his diagnosis in 2021, which included serving on MLB ALS boards, as well as working with Georgia Tech to host ALS Awareness Day during the 2022 baseball season.
An estimated 30,000 people are reported to be living with ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease for the Baseball Hall of Famer who battled the disease prior to his death in 1939, which primarily affects individuals between the ages of 40 and 70. More information about ALS can be found at www.ALS.org.
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