Rip Coleman – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Walter Gary “Rip” Coleman carved out a brief but memorable career in Major League Baseball as a left-handed pitcher during the late 1950s. Born in Troy, New York, Coleman debuted with the New York Yankees in 1955 at age 24. He played his final game in 1960 with the Baltimore Orioles.

Coleman’s five-year MLB career spanned three teams and included 95 games, 130 strikeouts, and one World Series championship with the Yankees. He posted a challenging 7-25 win-loss record, but his journey through professional baseball really shows what life was like for journeyman pitchers back in baseball’s golden era.

Let’s take a closer look at Coleman’s path from small-town New York to the majors, his stats, his championship experience, and the trades that shaped his baseball life. His story captures the ups and downs faced by players who made their mark on baseball history, even if they never became superstars.

Early Life and Education

Walter Gary Coleman was born on July 31, 1931, in Troy, New York. He developed his athletic skills during his early years in that city.

His journey from a small upstate New York city to professional baseball included stops at some pretty solid schools. Those places shaped both his academic and athletic growth.

Family Background

Walter Gary Coleman, who everyone called “Rip,” grew up in a working-class family in Troy, New York. The Colemans lived in this industrial city along the Hudson River, where young Walter first fell in love with baseball.

Troy had a tight-knit community that encouraged athletic development. The city’s strong baseball tradition helped spark Coleman’s passion for the sport.

He got his start in local youth leagues and sandlot games, which gave him his first taste of real competition. His family always supported his love for baseball.

The Coleman household pushed Walter to chase his baseball dreams but didn’t let him forget about education. That balance between sports and school would be important when colleges started recruiting him.

High School Years in Troy, New York

Rip Coleman attended high school in Troy, where he quickly made a name for himself as a standout athlete. His left-handed pitching caught the eye of coaches and scouts all over the Capital District.

During high school, Coleman dominated local teams with his natural pitching ability. At 6’2″ and 185 pounds, he cut an imposing figure on the mound.

His fastball and control made him one of the most feared pitchers in the area. College recruiters from across the country started to take notice.

Regional tournaments gave Coleman a chance to show off his skills. His combination of athletic ability and solid grades opened up several college options.

Collegiate Baseball at Wake Forest University

Coleman’s baseball skills earned him a scholarship to Wake Forest University in North Carolina. Wake Forest gave him the chance to play against some of the best college competition in the Atlantic Coast Conference.

At Wake Forest, Coleman kept working on his pitching under experienced coaches. The program helped him refine his technique and get ready for pro baseball.

He faced quality hitters regularly, which definitely pushed him to improve. The competitive atmosphere at Wake Forest forced Coleman to step up his game.

He learned advanced pitching strategies and got better at the mental side of baseball. Those lessons paid off when he turned pro.

Academic Pursuits at Syracuse University

Coleman also spent some time at Syracuse University, where he balanced academics with baseball. Syracuse offered him more educational opportunities while he kept playing ball.

The university exposed Coleman to a broad range of subjects. He took advantage of the school’s resources to expand his knowledge beyond the diamond.

His time at Syracuse showed he cared about education as much as athletics. The experience at both Wake Forest and Syracuse gave him a well-rounded college background.

Those academic pursuits set him up with options for life after baseball.

Professional Baseball Career Overview

Walter Gary “Rip” Coleman pitched for five seasons in Major League Baseball from 1955 to 1960 as a left-handed pitcher. He played for three teams, starting with the New York Yankees, then moving to the Kansas City Athletics, and finishing with the Baltimore Orioles.

MLB Debut and Rookie Season with the Yankees

Coleman made his major league debut on August 15, 1955, with the New York Yankees. At 6’2″ and 185 pounds, this lefty from Troy, New York, joined the Yankees during one of their most dominant eras.

The Yankees gave Coleman his first shot at big league baseball. His rookie season showed some promise as he worked to earn a spot in the crowded Yankees pitching rotation.

Coleman stayed with the Yankees through the 1957 season. While in New York, he pitched alongside some of the game’s all-time greats.

The Yankees organization helped Coleman develop his skills. After three seasons, he moved on to his next opportunity.

Kansas City Athletics Tenure

Coleman landed with the Kansas City Athletics in 1957 and played for them during two separate stretches. His first time with the Athletics came in 1957, and he returned for another season in 1959.

The Athletics years didn’t do much for Coleman’s stats. He posted a 2-17 record with Kansas City, which was definitely the roughest patch of his career.

His performance with Kansas City matched the team’s struggles during that era. The Athletics were rebuilding and trying to develop young players while Coleman was there.

Despite the tough win-loss numbers, Coleman kept pitching and contributing where he could. Those years taught him a lot about perseverance in professional baseball.

Baltimore Orioles Final Season

The Baltimore Orioles picked up Coleman for what turned out to be his last major league season in 1960. This move marked the end of his five-year MLB career.

Coleman wrapped up his big league journey with the Orioles in 1960. Baltimore gave him one more shot to prove himself at the highest level.

He finished his major league career after the 1960 season, but he kept playing organized baseball until 1962. Baltimore was the third and final stop in Coleman’s MLB run.

Career Highlights and Setbacks

Coleman finished his five major league seasons with 130 strikeouts. He put up a 7-25 win-loss record and a 4.58 ERA over 95 games and 247.1 innings pitched.

He earned one World Series championship with the Yankees. Coleman also picked up five saves during his MLB career.

The lefty faced some tough stretches, especially with his win-loss record. That 2-17 mark with Kansas City really stands out as the hardest part of his career.

After his MLB days ended in 1960, he kept playing baseball until 1962. In retirement, he stayed active in Capital District sports and charity events.

Statistical Achievements and Playing Style

Rip Coleman’s five-year stint in Major League Baseball from 1955 to 1960 gave him a 7-25 record and a 4.58 ERA across 95 games. His left-handed pitching style and numbers really show what life was like for a journeyman pitcher back then.

Pitching Record and Performance Metrics

Coleman’s stats tell the story of a pitcher who struggled to find consistency. He finished with a 7-25 win-loss record and a 4.58 ERA over 247.1 innings.

His best season came in 1956 with the Yankees, when he posted a 3-5 record and a 3.67 ERA in 29 appearances. The left-hander’s WHIP (Walks plus Hits per Innings Pitched) of 1.662 pointed to control issues that followed him throughout his career.

He gave up 10.4 hits per nine innings and walked 4.5 batters per nine. Coleman struck out 130 batters, averaging 4.7 strikeouts per nine innings.

His 86 ERA+ means he performed 14% below league average during his time in the majors. Coleman’s FIP (Fielding Independent Pitching) of 4.05 was a bit better than his ERA, so maybe the defense behind him didn’t always do him favors.

Unique MLB Records and Notable Stats

Coleman’s standout stat might be his perfect 1.000 fielding percentage during his 1955 rookie season. He handled seven total chances without an error in 29 innings.

His World Series appearance in 1955 gave him a memorable line: 9.00 ERA in one inning, with five hits allowed. Even though it wasn’t pretty, not many rookies get to pitch in the World Series.

Baseball Almanac notes a gap in Coleman’s career between the 1957 and 1959 seasons. His -0.9 career WAR shows he played below replacement level over his five seasons.

Analysis of Left-Handed Pitching Style

As a lefty, Coleman relied mostly on his fastball and breaking ball. His strikeout-to-walk ratio of 1.05 shows he struggled with command at the big league level.

Managers used him in a bunch of different roles. He made 33 starts out of his 95 appearances, so sometimes he started, and sometimes he came out of the bullpen.

His 5 career saves mostly came with Kansas City and Baltimore. The southpaw’s home run rate of 0.8 per nine innings was decent for that era, but he let too many runners reach base.

Coleman had a tendency to give up hard contact, which led to some big innings and a higher ERA. He just couldn’t always keep the damage to a minimum.

World Series and Postseason Experience

Rip Coleman took part in two World Series early in his career with the New York Yankees. He pitched in the 1955 Fall Classic against the Brooklyn Dodgers and contributed to the team’s 1956 championship win.

1955 World Series Appearance Against Brooklyn Dodgers

Coleman made his World Series debut as a rookie with the Yankees in 1955. That series was the classic New York showdown between the Yankees and the Brooklyn Dodgers.

He pitched in limited action during the seven-game series. Coleman had just debuted in the majors on August 15, 1955, so pitching in the World Series so soon was pretty remarkable.

Key Series Details:

• Opponent: Brooklyn Dodgers
• Series Result: Yankees lost 4-3
• Coleman’s Role: Relief pitcher

The Dodgers finally won their first and only World Series in Brooklyn history. It was one of the rare times the Yankees came up short in the 1950s.

For Coleman, the experience gave him valuable postseason exposure right off the bat. The loss stung for the Yankees, but it set up their championship run the next year.

Role in Yankees’ 1956 World Series Championship

Coleman returned to the World Series in 1956 when the Yankees faced the Dodgers again. This time, the Yankees took the title in seven games.

The 1956 World Series is famous for Don Larsen’s perfect game in Game 5. Coleman contributed as a relief pitcher and helped the Yankees secure their 17th World Series championship.

Championship Highlights:

• Final Result: Yankees won 4-3
• Notable Moment: Don Larsen’s perfect game
• Coleman’s Contribution: Relief appearances

That title was the only championship of Coleman’s career. The Yankees got their revenge on the Dodgers, and Coleman got to be part of it.

His back-to-back World Series appearances showed he was a valuable arm on the Yankees’ staff during their glory days.

Trades, Transactions, and Team Changes

Coleman’s MLB career took him to three different American League teams through a series of trades and transactions. He went from the Yankees to the Kansas City Athletics, and then to the Baltimore Orioles.

Notable Player Trades Involving Rip Coleman

The Yankees traded Coleman to the Kansas City Athletics in 1957. That move was part of the constant back-and-forth between those two teams in the ’50s.

He spent two seasons with Kansas City from 1957 to 1959. During that time, he worked on his game in the Athletics’ system and adjusted to a new team.

His last trade sent him to the Baltimore Orioles in 1959. That was the final stop in his major league journey.

Coleman finished his MLB career with Baltimore in 1960.

Transition Between Major League Teams

Coleman started his professional career with the New York Yankees in 1955. He made his major league debut on August 15, 1955, when he was 24.

The 6’2″ pitcher stuck with the Yankees through the 1957 season. After that, he moved on to the Kansas City Athletics and played there from 1957 to 1959.

Those years with the Athletics made up the middle stretch of his five-year MLB career. They gave Coleman more regular playing time than he’d seen before.

The Baltimore Orioles ended up as Coleman’s last major league team. He joined Baltimore in 1959 and played his final MLB games in 1960.

Over his 95-game career with these three American League clubs, Coleman finished with 7 wins and 25 losses.

Retirement, Legacy, and Personal Life

Coleman wrapped up his major league career in 1960 after a rough season with the Orioles. That year really marked the end of what started as a promising, but ultimately disappointing, baseball journey.

He went back to New York, his home state, and became a familiar face in the community. Folks saw him as a local celebrity right up until his death in 2004.

Final MLB Season and Retirement in 1960

Coleman’s 1960 season with the Orioles ended up being his last in the majors. He pitched in just five games and managed only four innings, and, honestly, it didn’t go well.

He posted a rough 11.25 ERA. In those outings, he gave up eight hits and five walks.

His final big league start came at Yankee Stadium against his old team, the Yankees. He barely lasted, getting pulled after just one-third of an inning, having allowed two hits, two walks, and two earned runs.

By May 1960, the Orioles sent Coleman down to the minors. He landed with the Toronto Maple Leafs in the International League, and things turned around for him there.

Minor League Success:

• Put up a 2.71 ERA with Toronto in 1960
• Improved to a 2.42 ERA in 1961
• Threw a seven-inning no-hitter against Richmond in 1961
• Stayed with Toronto through 1962

Coleman retired from organized baseball after the 1962 season. He finished his MLB career with a 7-25 record and a 4.58 ERA over five seasons.

Life After Baseball

After hanging up his spikes in 1962, Coleman went back to New York. He settled in New Russia, a tiny hamlet near Elizabethtown, just a few miles south of town.

He got into the insurance business to make a living. On top of that, he opened a fishing tackle shop, which fit perfectly with his love for the outdoors.

People in the Capital District really took to him. Coleman showed up at local smokers, sports award dinners, and charity events all over the region.

Community Involvement:

• Regular guest at youth baseball events
• Took part in sports award ceremonies
• Helped out with local charities
• Inspired plenty of young baseball players

Coleman kept his ties to the game strong through these community appearances. Local kids, especially Yankees fans, always got a kick out of meeting a former major leaguer from their own backyard.

One resident remembered: “I recall Rip would stop in Matt Fitzsimmons store occasionally, and Fitz introduced me one day because he knew I was a Yankee fan.”

Legacy and Recognition Within Baseball Circles

People in baseball circles mostly remember Coleman as a talented pitcher whose career got sidetracked by control problems and, some said, attitude issues. Still, folks respected his potential and the strength of his arm.

He finished with 130 strikeouts in 247.1 innings pitched. He also notched five saves and appeared in 95 major league games.

Coleman’s story often pops up as one of those “what could have been” tales. Early on, people compared him to Yankees ace Whitey Ford, which set the bar high—maybe too high.

Career Highlights:

• Beat Hall of Famer Early Wynn in 1955
• Pitched in the 1955 World Series against the Brooklyn Dodgers
• Tossed a one-hitter in the 1952 Eastern League playoffs
• Put up strong minor league numbers in Toronto

He especially enjoyed his time with the Toronto Maple Leafs. Owner Jack Kent Cooke treated the players well, and Coleman once said, “You’d find a little extra check for $1,000 in your locker every time you pitched a good game.”

Coleman’s story is a reminder that mental approach and professionalism matter a lot in pro sports.

Death and Burial at Oakwood Cemetery

Walter Gary “Rip” Coleman passed away on May 14, 2004, in Wolfeboro, New Hampshire. He was 72 years old.

His family buried him at Oakwood Cemetery, and his grave stands as a quiet tribute to his baseball days. Local fans sometimes stop by to remember their hometown hero.

With his passing, Troy, New York lost a big part of its baseball history. Coleman stood out as the most notable major league player from the area in his time.

Final Years:

• He lived a low-key life in New Hampshire.
• Coleman kept in touch with folks from the Capital District.
• When he could, he still got involved with local baseball.
• People in Troy felt proud to call him one of their own.

Newspapers wrote about his talent and how he gave back to his community after his playing days ended. Some baseball magazines looked back on his story as a reminder of how tough pro sports can be.

His grave at Oakwood Cemetery marks where a player rests, someone whose career captured both hope and heartbreak—pretty much what a lot of pro athletes go through.