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CLEVELAND, OHIO - JULY 23: A detail view of the Philadelphia Phillies logo on a batting helmet during the fifth inning against the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field on July 23, 2023 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Brandon Sloter/Image Of Sport/Getty Images)
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The Philadelphia Phillies have had a number of notable players don their uniform throughout franchise history, from Cy Williams to Jimmy Rollins.
But as the team marches toward the 150th anniversary since its founding, it is increasingly celebrating the legacy of those former players. On Sunday, it received news that former catcher Tom Nieto, who played for the Phillies in 1989 and 1990, has died at age 65.
“My brother Tom passed on after a heart attack, leaving cherished memories in Florida with his family; his strength and resilience will continue to inspire us all,” his sister, Denise Nieto-Jackson, posted on social media.
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Philadelphia Phillies Catcher Tom Nieto Joined New York Mets After Playing Career
Nieto received his big-league call up with the St. Louis Cardinals in 1984, playing a pair of seasons with the Phillies’ National League rival before moving on to the Montreal Expos in 1986, then the Minnesota twins for the 1987 and 1988 seasons, which included a World Series championship run.
He ended his big-league career with two seasons as the Phillies’ backup catcher, appearing in 28 games as the team struggled in the standings. In his seven major league seasons, Nieto slashed .205/.280/.281.
Once his playing days ended, Nieto continued his professional baseball career as a coach, eventually earning a role with the National League East’s New York Mets.
“Nieto began his coaching career in 1992 with the Chattanooga Lookouts, a Cincinnati Reds affiliate,” Jon Paul Hoornstra wrote for Newsweek. “He went on to manage the 1993-94 Charleston Wheelers, 1997-98 Greensboro Bats, 1999-2000 Tampa Yankees and 2003-04 Palm Beach Cardinals. Nieto was the Mets' first base coach and catching instructor from 2005 until June 17, 2008, when he was fired on the same day as manager Willie Randolph.”
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Philadelphia Phillies’ Late Catcher Tom Nieto Earned Pair Of World Series Trips
As a player, Nieto’s best season was his sophomore campaign with the Cardinals. He played in 95 games with a .225/.305/.281 slash line and 57 hits, helping the team reach the Fall Classic against the Kansas City Royals. Nieto saw three at-bats in the National League Championship Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers and five at-bats against the Royals in the World Series, though he wasn’t able to record a hit.
“After falling to the Kansas City Royals in a seven-game World Series, the Cardinals relegated Nieto to backup duties in 1985 — a role he held the remainder of his career,” Hoornstra added. “After spending the 1991 minor league season with the Cardinals’ Triple-A affiliate, Nieto retired as a player and transitioned into a second career in coaching.”
As numerous teams across baseball look back on his career, some Phillies fans might remember his contributions during a pair of seasons they might rather forget. But after such an accomplished baseball legacy overall, Nieto’s career will be celebrated by many.
This article was originally published on Forbes.com
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