Tigers First Junior Coach Kimera Bartee Passes

The Tigers are mourning today as they announce the tragic passing of first junior coach Kimera Bartee at just 49 years old.

“All of us in the Tigers baseball family are shocked and saddened to learn that first junior coach Kimera Bartee passed away suddenly on Monday at the age of 49,” said Tigers general manager Al Avila. know in an announcement released this morning. “During her time in our organization as a player and coach, Kimera was known as a kind soul but a fierce competitor who always gave her best. every day to elevate the people around him to do great things. While Tigers fans are used to seeing him in the first junior coach’s box, Kimera’s impact on our ballbox has gone deeper and will be greatly missed. As we speak to Kimera’s father, Jerry Bartee, we extend our condolences and support to his family. The thoughts and prayers of everyone in the organization are with Kimera’s family and friends, his memory and spirit will never be forgotten.”

“Like many others in baseball, I am heartbroken by the news of Kimera’s passing,” manager AJ Hinch said in his own statement. “Since the start of training last spring, it has been clear that ‘KB’ is the epitome of a player coach, with an uncanny ability to build deep relationships with anyone, from rookie to 10 year veteran. I’m proud of his selflessness and adaptability as he quickly transitioned into a Major League staff member last season, and how excited he is about the bright future he has all year. baseball and life. The sport has lost a great man, but more importantly his family has lost a loving husband, father and son.”

An Orioles pick in the 14th round back in 1993, Bartee made his Major League debut with the Tigers three years later following an exchange and selection in Draft Rule 5. As a striker, he has experienced his career. through the next four seasons in Detroit and also stopped in the major leagues in Cincinnati and Colorado before retiring as a player.

After retiring, Bartee worked as a coach and instructor in the Pirates, Phillies, and Tigers organizations. He managed the lower levels of the Pirates system and served as an off-court coordinator and minor league facility before eventually joining the Major League staff as a base coach. first on-site/off-court yard from 2017-19. Bartee serves as an off-court coach in the Phillies organization in 2020 and joins the Tigers as the first junior coach for the 2020-21 season. He will return to Hinch’s coaching staff for a second season in 2022.

At MLBTR, we extend our sincere condolences to Bartee’s loved ones, teammates, and the entire Tigers organization.