Choo-Choo Coleman, baseball player, 1961-1966

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

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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

Career AVG .197 vs. league average .253 across their career seasons — 22.0% below league average.

Career OBP .266 vs. league average .318 across their career seasons — 16.3% below league average.

Career SLG .281 vs. league average .385 across their career seasons — 26.9% below league average.

Career OPS 0.548 vs. league average 0.703 across their career seasons — 22.1% below league average.

Season-by-Season Batting

Year Team Lg G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB BB SO AVG Lg AVG Lg OBP Lg SLG Lg OPS 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 .257 (-3%) .326 (-7%) .393 (+12%) .719 (+3%) 40.7
1963 NYN NL 106 247 22 44 0 0 3 9 5 24 49 0.178 .246 (-28%) .308 (-14%) .371 (-42%) .680 (-30%) -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