What happened to Jim Poole? The a former Major League Baseball pitcher dies at 57. How he died and his fortune explored.
Jim Poole, is a former Major League Baseball (MLB) pitcher whose career began with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1990.
He was 57 at the time of his passing.
The athlete died of complications from ALS in the Atlanta area on Friday, according to PEOPLE.
James Richard Poole, born on April 28, 1966 in Rochester, New York, United States, is a former pitcher in Major League Baseball who played as a relief pitcher from 1990 through 2000.
Poole was the final Baltimore Orioles pitcher to record a win at Memorial Stadium in 1991 against the Detroit Tigers.
What was Poole’s cause of death?
Poole died of complications from Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in the Atlanta area on Friday, according to a statement from his alma mater, Georgia Tech.
Poole was diagnosed with ALS in 2021, and has worked throughout the past years to raise awareness for the illness.
Poole passed while surrounded by his family, ESPN reported. He was diagnosed with the disease, a neurodegenerative condition also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease, two years ago.
He is survived by his wife, Kim, three children and two grandchildren, Georgia Tech said.
What do you know about the ALS?
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (a-my-o-TROE-fik LAT-ur-ul skluh-ROE-sis), known as ALS, is a nervous system disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. ALS causes loss of muscle control. The disease gets worse over time.
According to mayoclinic.org, ALS is often called Lou Gehrig’s disease after the first baseball player who was diagnosed with it. The exact cause of the disease is still not known. A small number of cases are inherited.
ALS often begins with muscle twitching and weakness in an arm or leg, trouble swallowing or slurred speech. Eventually ALS affects control of the muscles needed to move, speak, eat and breathe. There is no cure for this fatal disease.
How was Poole’s MLB career?
Poole’s MLB career began with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1990.
He then played predominantly with the Baltimore Orioles, the Cleveland Indians and the San Francisco Giants, but was also a player with the Texas Rangers, the Philadelphia Phillies, the Detroit Tigers and the Montreal Expos before his retirement after the 2000 season.
Currently, Georgia Tech said that it assigns Poole’s No. 21 to the player who exemplifies self-determination, a strong academic work ethic and high character on and off the field.
How has the MLB felt about Poole’s passing?
The MLB has sent it’s kind words of encouragement to family and friends of Poole over his passing.
“We are saddened by the passing of former MLB pitcher Jim Poole at 57,” the MLB said, in part, in a social media statement. “Our thoughts are with Jim’s family & friends.”
“It broke my heart this morning to learn of Jim Poole’s passing. He was a first-class husband, father and teammate,” Georgia Tech head baseball coach Danny Hall said in his own statement.
“He loved Georgia Tech and was dedicated to serving our coaches and players for many years. He epitomized the meaning of a Tech Man. God rest his soul,” Hall continued.
Georgia Tech athletics director J Batt added: “Jim Poole is a Georgia Tech legend, not just for his incredible achievements on the baseball diamond, but for the way that he attacked ALS over the past two years. He is and will remain an inspiration. On behalf of the entire Georgia Tech athletics community, I send our deepest condolences to Jim’s wife, Kim, their children and grandchildren, and all of Jim’s family and friends whose lives he touched. He will be missed.”
Cleveland Guardians also took to X to share express their condolences.
What was Jim Poole’s net worth?
Jim Poole is one of the most popular and richest Baseball Player who as of June 1, 2023, had a net worth of approximately $5 Million – allfamousbirthday.com.