Joe Coleman died. https://www.newsweek.com/sports/mlb/tigers-all-star-first-draft-pick-appear-mlb-game-passes-away-2097007 Who was Joe Coleman? Joseph Howard Coleman was a Major League Baseball pitcher whose 15-year career (1965–1979) spanned seven teams, most notably the Detroit Tigers. A right-handed fireballer known for his fast pace and live arm, Coleman was a two-time 20-game winner and an American League All-Star in 1972. He was originally the third overall pick in MLB's inaugural amateur draft in 1965 and became the first drafted player to reach the majors. Coleman broke in with the Washington Senators at just 18 years old, later becoming a core part of Detroit’s rotation following the blockbuster 1970 trade for Denny McLain. Between 1971 and 1973, he won 62 games, struck out over 200 batters each season, and helped Detroit to the ALCS in 1972, throwing a record-setting 14-strikeout shutout in Game 3. His career included stints with the Cubs, Athletics, Blue Jays, Giants, and Pirates, finishing with a 142–135 record, 1,728 strikeouts, and a 3.70 ERA. Though he didn’t pitch in the postseason, he was part of the 1979 World Series champion Pirates. After retiring, Coleman had a long coaching career at both minor and major league levels, including roles with the Angels, Cardinals, Rays, Tigers, and Marlins organizations. He also made baseball history as part of MLB's first three-generation pitching family, following in the footsteps of his father, Joe Sr., and fathering Casey Coleman, who pitched in the majors in the 2010s. Coleman passed away at age 78 in Jamestown, Tennessee, on July 9, 2025. Lee Elia died. https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/45711822/lee-elia-manager-cubs-phillies-dies-87 Who was Lee Elia? Lee Constantine Elia (1937–2025) was a lifelong baseball man whose career spanned over five decades as a player, manager, coach, and executive in Major League Baseball (MLB). Born in Philadelphia to Albanian immigrant parents, Elia was a multi-sport athlete who chose baseball after a football injury in college. As a player, Elia had brief stints in the MLB with the Chicago White Sox (1966) and Chicago Cubs (1968), compiling a modest career batting average of .203 over 95 games. After retiring as a player, he found his true calling in coaching and management. He began managing in the minors in 1975 and rose through the Philadelphia Phillies' farm system, ultimately managing the Phillies (1987–88) and the Cubs (1982–83) at the major league level. His MLB managerial record stood at 238–300 (.442). Elia also served as a coach for several major league teams, including the Phillies, Yankees, Mariners, Blue Jays, Devil Rays, and Orioles. He earned a World Series ring with the 1980 Phillies. Elia is perhaps most famously remembered for a profanity-laced tirade against Cubs fans in 1983, a moment that cemented his reputation for passionate defense of his players. Beyond the dugout, Elia held scouting and executive roles later in life, serving as a special assistant with both the Dodgers and Braves. Known for his loyalty, intensity, and baseball mind, he mentored players and contributed to player development well into his seventies. He passed away in Odessa, Florida, on July 9, 2025, just shy of his 88th birthday, leaving behind a legacy as a fiery and deeply committed figure in American baseball.