RIP Kimera Bartee, Former Detroit Tiger Player and Current 1B Coach
I just got a notification from The Athletic of the passing of Kimera Bartee at age 49. Took a quick glance at a couple stories in the internet, then found this on Twitter:
https://twitter.com/tigers/status/1473329966372818945?t=72kD46fWVDFdjynUVjT4cg&s=09
One of my Tigers favorites from some really bad Tigers teams of the late 90's, Kimera did his part to help make up for the lack of team talent by always hustling and ALWAYS smiling. I was happy last season to see him back on the diamond wearing the Old English 'D' as a first base coach.
Rest in Peace, Kimera!
December 21st, 2021 at 1:37 PM ^
Taken way too soon! Apparently he was in Omaha with his father for the holidays. They haven't said the cause of death, although Chris McCosky reported that he had collapsed and was unable to be revived.
December 21st, 2021 at 1:44 PM ^
Can't say I remember him from the 90's but he seems like he was very well liked and respected. RIP
Just read that he was last Tiger to bat at Tiger Stadium.
December 21st, 2021 at 2:24 PM ^
First, RIP Kimera Bartee, he had a great name, and there was so much hope or promise for us Tiger diehards for him. Shame for him to go at such a young age.
That said, "one of my Tigers favorites" and Kimera Bartee is kind of like ... "one of my Wolverines favorites" and Albert White. Kind of an interesting favorites list you got there. That said, sometimes they choose us, not the other way around. :)
December 21st, 2021 at 2:52 PM ^
To clarify, he was one of my favorites of that late 90's era, when Tigers fans such as myself were desperately grasping at straws, hoping for someone among the youngsters to elevate their game and establish themselves.
Bartee fit that bill for me because he was a plus player defensively and as a base-runner.
Unfortunately he never showed much as a hitter and ended up a utility guy. My strongest memory of him was his enthusiastic attitude, something that stood out on some really bad Tigers teams
December 21st, 2021 at 8:52 PM ^
Well it causes me to think about "obscure" Tiger favorites....
Rusty Kuntz (obviously)
Dan Gladden (we once sat in left field while a woman called him Dan "Glavine" the whole game. We thought it was so funny and stupid (his name is literally on his shirt lady), we joined in. That place was so empty poor Dan Gladden had to stand out there and listen to us mocking a woman who was jeering him, like we were sitting in his lap.
Milt Cuyler - Poor mans Otis Nixon? Is that even a thing? :)
Deivi Cruz - Career batting average .050 (or something similar)
Justin Thompson - I really thought he was going to be something special. So much hype.
December 21st, 2021 at 9:45 PM ^
So... you're not a Neifi Pérez fan, huh?