SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) -- Former San Francisco Giants pitcher Jim Poole has died, the team announced on social media Saturday afternoon. He was 57 years old when he died of complications from ALS (also known as Lou Gehrig's disease).
Poole, who played college baseball at Georgia Tech, spent three seasons in San Francisco from 1996 to 1998, including the 1997 campaign in which the Giants won the NL West. The reliever pitched a total of 105.1 innings as a Giant, according to Baseball-Reference.
He played 11 MLB seasons, including stints with the Dodgers, Phillies and Rangers. Poole posted a career ERA of 4.31 in 363 innings -- all appearances out of the bullpen.
Poole is likely most known for giving up the deciding homer to Atlanta’s David Justice in the 1995 World Series.
"The #SFGiants are saddened to learn of the passing of former Giants pitcher Jim Poole. Poole spent parts of three seasons in the orange and black, including the ‘97 division-winning campaign. We extend our deepest condolences to the Poole family," the Giants wrote on X.
“It broke my heart this morning to learn of Jim Poole’s passing," Georgia Tech head baseball coach Danny Hall said in a statement. "He was a first-class husband, father and teammate. He loved Georgia Tech and was dedicated to serving our coaches and players for many years. He epitomized the meaning of a Tech Man. God rest his soul.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.