Former Pirates Pitcher Joe Coleman Dies at 78

Joe Coleman, a pitcher who finished his 15-year career with the Pittsburgh Pirates’ 1979 World Series-winning team, has died. He was 78.

Coleman’s son, Casey, said his father died in his sleep in Jamestown, Tenn., on Wednesday.

Coleman made 10 relief appearances in 1979 and had no record and a 6.10 ERA. He did not pitch in the postseason.

He is best remembered for one of the worst outings of his career on Aug. 7, 1979, when he pitched 5.1 innings of relief and allowed nine runs on 13 hits in a game against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field. Manager Chuck Tanner often said Coleman’s willingness to absorb so many innings helped keep the Pirates’ bullpen fresh for the stretch drive.

Coleman began his career with the Washington Senators (1965-70), then pitched for the Detroit Tigers (1971-76), the Cubs (1976), the Oakland Athletics (1977-78), the Toronto Blue Jays (1978), and the San Francisco Giants (1979).

Coleman had a 142-135 record, seven saves, and a 3.70 ERA in 484 career games, including 340 starts. He was selected for the All-Star Game in 1972.

Joseph Howard Coleman was born on Feb. 3, 1947, in Boston.