Mike Coolbaugh: The 17-Year Itch

44 games.  That's all Mike Coolbaugh got to play in the Major Leagues during a 17-year career, the bulk of which, obviously, was spent in the minors.  In a marriage, there's the famous 7 year mark, made famous by the Marilyn Monroe film The Seven Year Itch, where one, or both, parties in a marriage fight off the temptation to give up.  For former minor leaguer Mike Coolbaugh, quitting on his playing days took about 10 years longer, but the itch finally won out.

Then there was the tragedy.

Mike was coaching first base for the Tulsa Drillers of the Pacific Coast League one Sunday evening in July, 2007 when a foul ball traveling at over 100 mph struck him in the neck.  He died instantly.

Two years later, Mike's influence is still being felt: 

1.  A book by S.L. Price was released in May called Heart of the Game, which profiles the life and death of Coolbaugh. 

2.  Take a look at the base coaches for your favorite Major League team.  What are they wearing on their heads?  Helmets.  This helmet rule, which began for the 2008 season, is a direct result of Mike's death.

3.  The third annual Mike Coolbaugh Memorial Golf Tournament will take place on November 9th at the Tapatio Springs Golf Resort in Boerne, TX.

4.  When Mike died, his wife Amanda was pregnant with their third child.  That November, she gave birth to Anne Michael (they had had two boys already, Joseph and Jacob).

That's a lot of influence for this career minor leaguer; a guy who only played 44 games in the big leagues.  But think about this: It is the quality of the man whose influence is felt beyond what he left in the box score.  How many thousands of guys are toiling away in the minor leagues today?  You will never hear of 99.5% of their names.  Hardcore fans know their favorite team's prospects.  Really hardcore fans know the names of most guys who've had a cup of coffee in the big leagues at any one time.  Mike Coolbaugh was one of those Java guys who was bound to be a trivia question before the tragedy raised his profile.  When you hear his name now, there's no light trivia around it.  The man was destined to have more impact on those around him than that.

That brings us to today.  Mike did not die a millionaire.  44 games over two Major League seasons do not build much of a nest egg.  Take away what Mike did for a living, and he was just a regular guy with two kids and another on the way, earning a regular wage.  Six-figure salaries weren't a part of the Coolbaugh family budgeting process.  As a first base coach for a AA team, he was even farther away from any big payday.  Like most families when the breadwinner passes away, a financial void is left, a void that can make the other void, the loss of a husband and father, even bigger.

The Mike Coolbaugh Memorial Golf Tournament was originally created to help fill the economic void in Amada Coolbaugh's family life and to pay tribute to a man who died in action, on the field; a man who'd hit over 200 home runs and driven in over 1000 in the minors and was starting fresh as a coach; a man who was only 35 years old when he died.  This year, a portion of the proceeds are going to help Mike's family pay the bills.  But another portion are going to another cause, a new San Antonio baseball clinic for kids who've lost a family member.

See what's going on?  Mike's influence grows a little bit more. 

If you're going to be in Texas on November 7th and you like golf, then register for this golf tournament.  If you are interested in sponsoring portions of the tournament or donating some of your recession-era income, then by all means do so.  If you're in the baseball profession and can donate an autographed ball or hat or jersey, click HERE or send it to Mike's cousin, Cheryl, at this address:

Cheryl Coolbaugh
11844 Bandera Rd. #447
Helotes, TX 78023-4132

Please do not stalk Cheryl.  She lives in Texas.  Everything's bigger in Texas, like the guns they use for self-defense.  Just send her some stuff she can auction and be proud of your participation.  Don't get carried away.  You'll be sorry.

More will be coming about the Mike Coolbaugh Memorial Tournament in the future.  For now, think about your spouse or your kids and make sure you've got your bases covered if, God forbid, something happened to you.  If even one of you does this now, then you'll personally experience just how much influence the life and death of Mike Coolbaugh has had over the last two years.  Then maybe you can tell us about it and spread the word. 

Ain't it funny, how one man's 17-year career in the minor leagues can matter so much when he's gone?  It's the quality of the man whose influence is felt beyond what he left in the box score.  What can you do today to make your influence felt?