Bruce Kimm
Encyclopedia
Bruce Edward Kimm is a retired American professional baseball
catcher
and manager
. He played all or part of four seasons in Major League Baseball
for the Detroit Tigers
, Chicago Cubs
and Chicago White Sox
between 1976 until 1980.
Although born in Cedar Rapids, Iowa
, Kimm grew up in Norway, Iowa
, and was a star player on the celebrated Norway High School baseball teams, all of which played in state championships during his high school days. He was a three-time all-state player in baseball and selected in the 7th round of the 1969 amateur draft
by the White Sox, signing in his senior year of high school. Kimm made his major league debut with the Detroit Tigers on May 4, 1976, where he was Mark Fidrych
's personal catcher in 1976 and 1977. He played his final major league game on September 19, 1980.
, compiling a 76-67 record with the Orlando Cubs en route to a playoff appearance. Kimm has also managed within the Cincinnati Reds
organization. He managed in the minor leagues for five and a half seasons from 1982–2002, compiling a 405-382 record.
After the 2002 Chicago Cubs
started the season with a 34-49 record, then-manager Don Baylor
was fired and replaced on an interim basis by Kimm (though bench coach Rene Lachemann
managed one game on July 5 prior to Kimm's arrival), who had been managing the Cubs' AAA affiliate. This caused some controversy, as former Tampa Bay Devil Rays manager and current Cubs pitching coach Larry Rothschild
was seen by some as a better choice. Kimm did not fare much better than Baylor, as the Cubs went 33-45 for the rest of the season. His departure was announced before the final game of the season; he was replaced by Dusty Baker
. In 2003, Kimm was a third base coach for Chicago's other MLB team, the White Sox.
Kimm has also been a coach for the Reds, Pittsburgh Pirates
, San Diego Padres
, Florida Marlins
, Chicago White Sox
and Colorado Rockies
.
Professional baseball
Baseball is a team sport which is played by several professional leagues throughout the world. In these leagues, and associated farm teams, players are selected for their talents and are paid to play for a specific team or club system....
catcher
Catcher
Catcher is a position for a baseball or softball player. When a batter takes his turn to hit, the catcher crouches behind home plate, in front of the umpire, and receives the ball from the pitcher. This is a catcher's primary duty, but he is also called upon to master many other skills in order to...
and manager
Manager (baseball)
In baseball, the field manager is an individual who is responsible for matters of team strategy on the field and team leadership. Managers are typically assisted by between one and six assistant coaches, whose responsibilities are specialized...
. He played all or part of four seasons in Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
for the Detroit Tigers
Detroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
, Chicago Cubs
Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
and Chicago White Sox
Chicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
between 1976 until 1980.
Although born in Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Cedar Rapids is the second largest city in Iowa and is the county seat of Linn County. The city lies on both banks of the Cedar River, north of Iowa City and east of Des Moines, the state's capital and largest city...
, Kimm grew up in Norway, Iowa
Norway, Iowa
Norway is a city in Benton County, Iowa, United States. The population was 601 at the 2000 census. The city is about southwest of downtown Cedar Rapids. It is part of the Cedar Rapids Metropolitan Statistical Area...
, and was a star player on the celebrated Norway High School baseball teams, all of which played in state championships during his high school days. He was a three-time all-state player in baseball and selected in the 7th round of the 1969 amateur draft
1969 Major League Baseball Draft
-First round selections:The following are the first round picks in the 1969 Major League Baseball draft.* Did not sign- Background :The Washington Senators tabbed slugging outfielder Jeff Burroughs of Wilson High School in Long Beach, CA as the nation's number one pick...
by the White Sox, signing in his senior year of high school. Kimm made his major league debut with the Detroit Tigers on May 4, 1976, where he was Mark Fidrych
Mark Fidrych
Mark Steven Fidrych , nicknamed "The Bird", was a Major League Baseball pitcher. He pitched his entire career for the Detroit Tigers ....
's personal catcher in 1976 and 1977. He played his final major league game on September 19, 1980.
Managerial career
Kimm began his managerial career in the Tigers organization in 1982. In 1995, he won Manager of the Year honors in the AA Southern LeagueSouthern League (baseball)
The Southern League is a minor league baseball league which operates in the Southern United States. It is classified a Double-A league. The original league was formed in , and shut down in . A new league, the Southern Association, was formed in , consisting of twelve teams...
, compiling a 76-67 record with the Orlando Cubs en route to a playoff appearance. Kimm has also managed within the Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
organization. He managed in the minor leagues for five and a half seasons from 1982–2002, compiling a 405-382 record.
After the 2002 Chicago Cubs
2002 Chicago Cubs season
-Offseason:* November 2, 2001: Mark Bellhorn was traded by the Oakland Athletics to the Chicago Cubs for Adam Morrissey .* January 16, 2002: Alan Benes was signed as a Free Agent with the Chicago Cubs....
started the season with a 34-49 record, then-manager Don Baylor
Don Baylor
Donald Edward Baylor is a Major League Baseball coach currently the hitting coach for the Arizona Diamondbacks, and a former player and manager. During his 19-year playing career, he was a power hitter who played as a first baseman, outfielder, and designated hitter...
was fired and replaced on an interim basis by Kimm (though bench coach Rene Lachemann
Rene Lachemann
Rene George Lachemann is a former coach, catcher and manager in Major League Baseball. Lachemann served as the first manager in the history of the Florida Marlins and also skippered the Seattle Mariners and Milwaukee Brewers...
managed one game on July 5 prior to Kimm's arrival), who had been managing the Cubs' AAA affiliate. This caused some controversy, as former Tampa Bay Devil Rays manager and current Cubs pitching coach Larry Rothschild
Larry Rothschild
Lawrence Lee Rothschild is a former Major League Baseball pitcher and manager. He currently serves as the pitching coach of the New York Yankees.-Playing career:...
was seen by some as a better choice. Kimm did not fare much better than Baylor, as the Cubs went 33-45 for the rest of the season. His departure was announced before the final game of the season; he was replaced by Dusty Baker
Dusty Baker
Johnnie B. "Dusty" Baker, Jr. is a former player and current manager in Major League Baseball, currently the manager of the Cincinnati Reds. He enjoyed a 19-year career as a hard-hitting outfielder, mostly with the Atlanta Braves and Los Angeles Dodgers...
. In 2003, Kimm was a third base coach for Chicago's other MLB team, the White Sox.
Kimm has also been a coach for the Reds, Pittsburgh Pirates
Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions...
, San Diego Padres
San Diego Padres
The San Diego Padres are a Major League Baseball team based in San Diego, California. They play in the National League Western Division. Founded in 1969, the Padres have won the National League Pennant twice, in 1984 and 1998, losing in the World Series both times...
, Florida Marlins
Florida Marlins
The Miami Marlins are a professional baseball team based in Miami, Florida, United States. Established in 1993 as an expansion franchise called the Florida Marlins, the Marlins are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Marlins played their home games at...
, Chicago White Sox
Chicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
and Colorado Rockies
Colorado Rockies
The Colorado Rockies are a Major League Baseball team based in Denver, Colorado. Established in 1991, they started play in 1993 and are in the West Division of the National League. The team is named after the Rocky Mountains...
.