Jimmie Coker – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Jimmie Coker wrapped up his baseball career in 1967. That year quietly closed out a nine-season run in the majors that had started with a lot of hope but, honestly, never quite reached the heights people expected.

He grew up in South Carolina and caught for three National League teams. Most of the time, he worked as a backup catcher for the Philadelphia Phillies, San Francisco Giants, and Cincinnati Reds.

Coker stepped away from baseball after 1967, finishing with a .231 batting average, 16 home runs, and 70 RBIs in 233 major league games.

People once thought he’d become one of the National League’s top catchers, but Coker just couldn’t grab a regular starting job after his rookie year in 1960. He had trouble defensively, especially when it came to controlling runners. That held him back from what scouts and managers had imagined for him when he was coming up in the minors.

The timing of his retirement ended up being pretty interesting. Johnny Bench, who’d go on to be a Hall of Famer, debuted for the Reds just two days after Coker played his last major league game.

Coker’s story is a familiar one for pro athletes. Lots of guys show a ton of promise in the minors, but making it in the big leagues is a whole different thing.

He played during a time of change in baseball. His journey from hot prospect to career backup says a lot about how unpredictable sports can be, and how fine the line is between being good and being great.

Jimmie Coker’s Baseball Career Overview

Jimmie Goodwin Coker spent nine seasons in Major League Baseball, from 1958 to 1967. He mostly caught for three National League teams.

He started strong as the Philadelphia Phillies catcher in 1960. But his defensive struggles meant he spent most of his big-league years as a backup.

Major League Debut and Early Years

Coker made his MLB debut on September 11, 1958, with the Phillies at just 22. He started as catcher and got his first big-league hit off Dodgers pitcher Johnny Podres.

He grew up in Holly Hill, South Carolina, and the Phillies signed him in 1955 for a $4,000 bonus. He worked his way up through the minors before finally reaching the majors.

In 1960, Coker took over as the Phillies’ starting catcher. He flashed some offensive skill early, hitting a walk-off double on April 23 and then a grand slam the very next day against the Reds.

But trouble behind the plate showed up fast. Coker allowed 55 stolen bases that year, the most in the majors. The Phillies picked up veteran Cal Neeman in May to help out.

Even so, Coker made the 1960 Topps All-Rookie team as a catcher. He ended that season batting .214 in 252 at-bats.

Key Teams and Career Progression

After 1960, Coker bounced between the majors and minors. The Phillies sent him to Buffalo in 1961, but he came back up in June and briefly hit .429 over a handful of games.

The Phillies traded Coker to the Baltimore Orioles in November 1962. His time with Baltimore didn’t last, though. On December 15, 1962, the Orioles sent him and pitchers Jack Fisher and Billy Hoeft to the Giants.

Coker barely played for the Giants in 1963. They’d just won the pennant in 1962 and already had their catchers set. He only got two pinch-hit chances in April before heading back to the minors.

In 1964, Coker joined the Cincinnati Reds. He stayed with them for the last four years of his career, mostly backing up and pinch-hitting.

Final Season in 1967 and Retirement

Coker played his last MLB season in 1967, still with the Reds. He made his final major league start on August 26, 1967.

Just two days later, Johnny Bench made his debut. That was the start of something big for the Reds and a clear sign that Coker’s time was up.

Coker retired after the 1967 season at 31. He finished up with a .231 average, 16 home runs, and 70 RBIs across 233 games.

After baseball, Coker went in a whole new direction. In March 1968, he became what he called “a real, live, honest-to-goodness cowboy,” swapping pro sports for ranch life.

Statistics and On-Field Achievements

Jimmie Coker’s nine years in the majors, from 1958 to 1967, gave him a .231 average, 16 home runs, and 70 RBIs in 233 games.

His defensive skills behind the plate made him a solid backup for three different National League teams.

Batting Average and RBI Performance

Coker kept a .231 batting average over his career, collecting 137 hits in 592 at-bats. That’s not exactly a star hitter’s number, but for a backup catcher in those days, it held up.

He picked up 70 RBIs, mostly with the Phillies and Reds. Over his career, he scored 44 runs.

His best offensive moments came early with Philadelphia. He got his first big-league hit off Johnny Podres at Connie Mack Stadium on his debut day, September 11, 1958.

Coker usually hit in key moments. As a third-string catcher, he didn’t get many chances, so his stats stayed modest but steady.

Home Runs and Power Hitting

Coker launched 16 home runs in the majors. He showed flashes of power here and there, especially for a catcher.

His home run numbers fit what you’d expect from a backup catcher in the 1960s. He’d go on a little run, then cool off.

He hit most of his homers during his Reds years from 1964 to 1967. With Cincinnati, he got more chances to swing for the fences.

Coker’s swing focused on making contact, not crushing the ball. Those 16 homers came in clutch spots, but he wasn’t a power threat every time up.

Defensive Strengths Behind the Plate

As a catcher, Coker’s main value came from his defense and game-calling. His arm and awareness made him a reliable backup.

Teams liked having him behind the plate. He worked with a bunch of different pitchers over his career.

His defense impressed enough teams that they kept trading for him. The deal with John Orsino, Mike McCormick, and Stu Miller brought him to San Francisco in 1962.

Coker knew how to handle pitchers and call games, which is probably what kept him around for nine years. His defense usually outshined his hitting.

Memorable Games and Notable Moments

Coker’s MLB debut on September 11, 1958, stands out. He started at catcher for the Phillies and helped them beat the Dodgers 4-3 at Connie Mack Stadium.

He picked up his first hit in the fifth inning off Johnny Podres. That single must have felt like the payoff for all those minor league innings.

His last MLB start came on August 26, 1967, for Cincinnati. Two days later, Johnny Bench took over, and the Reds’ future changed right there.

Military service took Coker away for most of the 1962 season, so he missed out on what could have been a bigger year with the Phillies.

Teams Played For and Notable Teammates

Jimmie Coker played for three National League teams in his nine-year career: Philadelphia, San Francisco, and Cincinnati. He finished up just as Johnny Bench was getting started with the Reds.

Philadelphia Phillies Era

Coker started out in the majors with the Philadelphia Phillies in 1958. He debuted September 11, 1958, catching against the Dodgers at Connie Mack Stadium.

He grabbed his first hit in his second at-bat, singling off Johnny Podres in the fifth. The Phillies won that one, 4-3.

Coker played with the Phillies from 1958 and then from 1960 to 1962. His best year was 1960, with a career-high 252 at-bats, a .214 average, 6 homers, and 34 RBIs.

During 1962, Coker spent most of the season in the U.S. Military, so he didn’t get much playing time. Usually, he worked as the team’s third-string catcher.

San Francisco Giants Tenure

The Baltimore Orioles bought Coker’s contract after 1962, but he never played for them.

On December 15, 1962, the Orioles traded Coker, Jack Fisher, and Billy Hoeft to the Giants. The Giants sent Stu Miller, John Orsino, and Mike McCormick back.

Coker spent just 1963 with the Giants. He barely played, only seeing the field as a backup in a few games.

Cincinnati Reds and Transition to Johnny Bench

In August 1964, the Cincinnati Reds bought Coker’s contract from the Milwaukee Braves. He finished his career in Cincinnati, playing from 1964 to 1967.

Coker’s last MLB start was August 26, 1967. Just two days later, on August 28, Johnny Bench debuted for the Reds. That was a real changing of the guard.

While Coker was stepping away as a backup, Bench was just starting what would become a Hall of Fame run.

It’s kind of wild how baseball always seems to have new talent coming up as veterans move on.

Key Trades and Transactions

Coker’s career involved some notable trades. The biggest came in December 1962, when he moved from the Orioles to the Giants in a six-player swap.

The Reds picked up Coker in 1964, and he stuck around there longer than anywhere else. He spent parts of four seasons in Cincinnati, mostly backing up the regular catchers.

That kind of movement was pretty standard for backup catchers back then. Teams often traded guys like Coker to fill gaps and round out their rosters.

Early Life and Athletic Background

Jimmie Goodwin Coker was born March 28, 1936, in Holly Hill, South Carolina. He grew up in a farming family and showed his athletic skills early, which eventually led him to Furman University. There, he played several sports before deciding to stick with baseball.

Family and Origins in South Carolina

Jimmie was the youngest of seven kids born to David Mack and Lydia Leola (Gibbons) Coker. The family lived in Holly Hill, a small town about 50 miles northwest of Charleston.

The Cokers had deep roots in South Carolina, going back to the 1700s. His grandfather, Mack Ira Coker, raised his family in the Cades community of Williamsburg County, about 60 miles northeast of Holly Hill.

David, Jimmie’s father, was born in 1892 in Cades. He married Lydia Gibbons, who was also from Williamsburg County, in the early 1910s.

They started out farming, but the Great Depression hit hard. The family moved to Holly Hill, where they eventually settled for good.

All seven Coker kids went to Holly Hill High School (now Holly Hill-Roberts High School) in Orangeburg County. That’s where Jimmie’s athletic career really took off, and he stood out in several sports.

Furman University and Multi-Sport Participation

Coker showed off his athletic skills at Holly Hill High School, and college recruiters definitely noticed. Born into an athletic family, he ended up standing out in baseball, basketball, and especially football.

In 1954, he played fullback so well that he earned All-State honors. That recognition brought him an athletic scholarship from Furman University in Greenville, South Carolina.

Coker’s high school coach, a Furman alumnus, played a big part in his decision to attend Furman. This connection helped Coker land the football scholarship that would end up changing his life.

But Coker’s football career at Furman didn’t last long. He suffered a nasty shoulder injury during his freshman year, and that changed everything.

“I figured one more injury might finish me as a baseball player, and that’s what I aimed to be since I was 10 years old,” Coker said years later. “So I gave up my football scholarship.”

After he left football behind, Coker focused on basketball and baseball at Furman. That choice turned out to be huge, since his baseball skills caught the eye of Philadelphia Phillies scout Wes Livengood, opening the door to his pro career.

Life After Baseball

When he retired from professional baseball in 1967, Jimmie Coker jumped into ranching in Texas. He got involved with the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association, making his mark in the cattle world after baseball.

Ranching Career in Texas

After nine years in the majors, Coker decided to chase his longtime dream of ranching. In March 1968, he left baseball behind to become what he called “a real, live, honest-to-goodness cowboy.”

He settled into the Texas cattle industry, leaving the baseball field for ranch life. For a guy who played for the Phillies, Giants, and Reds, it was a major shift.

The cattle industry was changing and growing during those years. Coker dove in, determined to build a new path after sports.

He wanted something more traditional than the constant travel of professional baseball. Coker stuck with ranching until he passed away in 1991.

Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association Involvement

During his ranching years, Coker joined the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association. Founded in 1877, it’s actually one of the oldest livestock associations in the country.

The association works to protect cattle raisers’ interests in Texas and nearby states. Members come together to tackle things like livestock theft, industry advocacy, and education.

Coker got involved and helped push the cattle industry forward, supporting the association’s mission to back ranchers. This membership connected him with other cattle folks across the region.

The group gave Coker resources and networking that helped him get his ranching business going. His participation showed he cared about the cattle industry, not just his own ranch.

Legacy, Death, and Memorial

Jimmie Coker’s post-baseball life ended suddenly in 1991, when he died of a heart attack at just 55. He was buried in Throckmorton, Texas, the place where he built a successful ranching career after hanging up his glove.

Passing and Cause of Death

Jimmie Coker died on October 29, 1991, at 55 years old in Throckmorton, Texas. He suffered a heart attack.

At the time, Coker had spent over twenty years living and working as a rancher in Texas. He made the jump from baseball to cattle ranching after his retirement in 1967.

Coker got deeply involved in the local ranching community. He even served on the board of directors of the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association, showing just how committed he was to the industry after baseball.

His death happened only two days before his 56th birthday. Coker was born on March 28, 1936, in Holly Hill, South Carolina.

Burial and Cemetery Details

Coker rests in Throckmorton, Texas, the same little town where he passed away.

Throckmorton sits up in north-central Texas. He’d made it his home during his ranching years, and honestly, it just fit him.

After leaving professional sports, Coker picked this rural community as his permanent home.

Most records don’t really mention the specific cemetery where Coker’s buried. He was laid to rest in Throckmorton after his heart attack in late October 1991.