Major League Baseball mourns the passing of Kimera Bartee, who played and coached for multiple teams
Major League Baseball has lost another member of its family too young.
Kimera Bartee, who played for the Detroit Tigers, Cincinnati Reds, and Colorado Rockies, before retiring and transitioning to coaching, has passed away at 49. His cause of death is unknown but has been described as sudden and unexpected.
Many tributes and condolences are pouring in from the baseball world, including from Andrew McCutchen.
Andrew McCutchen mourns the passing of his Pirates and Phillies coach, Kimera Bartee
McCutchen, who played for the Pirates and Phillies when Bartee worked as a coach for each of the Pennsylvania teams, shared two beautiful messages to his friend:
Bartee spent 12 seasons in the Pirates organization until 2019, and then spent the 2020 season with the Phillies. McCutchen was drafted by the Pirates in the first round of the 2005 June draft, and debuted in 2009. He spent the first nine years of his big-league career in black and gold, and by his account, learned a lot from Bartee.
Every person who has paid tribute to Bartee has spoken about his kindness and positivity. Tigers manager AJ Hinch, pitching coach Chris Fetter, and GM Al Avila each issued statements on Tuesday:
https://twitter.com/ajhinch/status/1473343112592437256?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1473343112592437256%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.freep.com%2Fstory%2Fsports%2Fmlb%2Ftigers%2F2021%2F12%2F21%2Fdetroit-tigers-first-base-coach-kimera-bartee-dies-49%2F8982579002%2F
"“All of us in the Tigers baseball family were shocked and saddened. Throughout his time in our organization as both a player and a coach, Kimera was known as a kind soul but intense competitor who did his best every day to elevate those around him to do great things. While Tigers fans got used to seeing him in the first base coach’s box, Kimera’s impact on our ballclub went far deeper and will be sorely missed.The thoughts and prayers of everyone in the organization are with Kimera’s family and friends, and his memory and spirit will never be forgotten.”Al Avila"
As did Pirates owner Bob Nutting’s:
"“We are deeply saddened to hear the news of the sudden passing of Kimera Bartee. He was a great person, whose upbeat attitude and infectious smile would always lift the spirits of anyone who interacted with him. Our hearts go out to his family, whom he loved so much. He was much too young and will be dearly missed.”"
Based on the outpouring of emotion, it’s clear that Bartee was a cherished person in the baseball community.
An old clip also resurfaced of Corey Dickerson presenting his outfield coach, Bartee with one of his special Rawlings gloves after winning a Gold Glove:
Our thoughts and prayers are with his family.