Tigers 1st base coach Kimera Bartee dies suddenly at 49
Detroit Tigers first base coach Kimera Bartee died suddenly on Monday at age 49, the team announced.
Bartee collapsed while visiting his family in his hometown of Omaha, Nebraska, and did not recover, according to the Detroit News' Chris McCosky. His father Jerry told the Omaha World-Herald's Sam McKewon doctors found a large brain tumor that cut off the flow of fluid to Kimera's brain.
"Throughout his time in our organization as both a player and 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," Detroit's executive vice president and general manager Al Avila said.
"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. In speaking with Kimera's father, Jerry Bartee, we offered our condolences and support to his family."
Bartee had rejoined the Tigers - with whom he spent four seasons as a player - last winter as their roving outfield and baserunning coordinator. In July, he was promoted to manager AJ Hinch's staff and was slated to return as first base coach in 2022.
Words cannot describe my sadness. What we lost in baseball as a players’ coach and mentor with consistent positivity pales in comparison to what his family lost as a fiancée, father, and son. Rest In Peace, KB. 🙏🏻 https://t.co/VeZ7384H0I
— AJ Hinch (@ajhinch) December 21, 2021
The Baltimore Orioles originally drafted Bartee out of Creighton in 1993, and he reached the majors with the Tigers in 1996. Bartee appeared in 243 big-league games over parts of six campaigns with the Tigers, Cincinnati Reds, and Colorado Rockies.
After retiring as a player, Bartee broke into coaching with a 12-year run in the Pittsburgh Pirates organization. The Pirates promoted him to their major-league staff as first base coach in 2017 and he served in that role for three seasons before moving to the Philadelphia Phillies as a baserunning coach in 2020.