The Detroit Tigers are mourning the passing of one of their coaches.
Kimera Bartee, who served as the Tigers' first-base coach, died suddenly Monday in Omaha, Nebraska. He was 49.
No cause of death was immediately disclosed, but The Detroit Free Press reported that Bartee collapsed while visiting his father for the holiday season.
"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," said Tigers Vice-President and General Manager Al Avila in a statement. "In speaking with Kimera’s father, Jerry Bartee, we offered our condolences and support to his family. 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."
Tigers manager A.J. Hinch brought Bartee in to coach first base during the 2021 season.
"From the start of spring training last year, it was clear that 'KB' was the epitome of a player’s coach, having an uncanny ability to build deep connections with anyone from a rookie to a 10-year veteran," said Hinch. "I was proud of his selflessness and adaptability when he quickly shifted to the Major League staff last season, and how excited he was about the bright future he had in both baseball and life. The sport has lost an amazing man, but more importantly, his family has lost a loving fiancé, father, and son."
Bartee played college ball at Creighton University and was drafted by the Baltimore Orioles in the 1993 MLB Draft. After serving in the Orioles' and Minnesota Twins' farm systems, and a stint in the Australian Baseball League, he made his big-league debut with Detroit in 1996 and played three seasons in the outfield. He was with the Cincinnati Reds in 2000 before ending his career the following season with the Colorado Rockies.
Going into coaching, Bartee managed the State College Spikes, a collegiate summer team in Pennsylvania. He was the Pittsburgh Pirates' first-base coach and outfield instructor from 2017 to 2019, then had one season as a roving instructor with the Philadelphia Phillies, before joining the Tigers.
Bartee is survived by his father, his fiance, and three children.