Cole Armstrong
Encyclopedia
Melville Cole Armstrong (born August 24, 1983 in Surrey, British Columbia
) is a professional baseball catcher
, who has played in international competition with the Canada national baseball team
.
, British Columbia
, Armstrong played multiple seasons for the Whalley Chiefs (now the Fraser Valley Chiefs) of the B.C. Premier Baseball League
. He played for Canada at the 2000 World Junior Baseball Championship in Sherbrooke, Quebec
.
Armstrong, who also played at Chipola (Fla.) Junior College, was drafted by the New York Mets in the 32nd Round of 2001 Draft but did not sign. He was drafted again by the Atlanta Braves
in the 12th round (487th overall) of the 2003 Major League Baseball Draft
. He played one year for the University of Kansas
Jayhawks
in before entering the Minor League. After stints with the Gulf Coast League Braves in , the Danville Braves
in and the Rome Braves
in , Armstrong was picked by the White Sox that winter in the Rule 5 Draft.
He split parts of the next two seasons between the Winston-Salem Warthogs
and the Birmingham Barons
.
Armstrong threatened to kill a Minor League umpire on the field in 2007 according to an account in author Bruce Weber's 2009 book, "As They See 'Em: A Fan's Travels in the Land of Umpires." Only July 11, 2007, Armstrong, the catcher that day for Winston-Salem, was ejected in the bottom of the eighth inning from a game between Winston-Salem and the Myrtle Beach Pelicans
by umpire Andy Russell. Russell tells the following story on page 124 of Weber's book:
"In the bottom of the eighth with two out, a Myrtle Beach runner [Derrick Arnold] stole second. Andy called the runner safe on a close play, and the next batter [Roberto Alvarez] hit a home run. 'That's when the catcher came sprinting out and went off on me,' Andy said. 'He said, 'That's on you.' And he said, 'You don't even know, I'm going to effing kill you.'"
Russell said the altercation and death threat from Armstrong prompted him to abruptly quit umpiring -- he was replaced on the field the following day by a new umpire, Andy Dudones.
He re-signed with Chicago on Feb. 27, 2008 for a one-year deal and signed another one-year contract for $400,000 with the White Sox on Feb. 24, 2009. Halfway through the season, Armstrong was promoted to the Triple-A Charlotte Knights
where he has remained through the season.
Armstrong was designated for assignment on January 12, 2010.
On January 19, 2010, Cole was out-righted to Triple-A Charlotte. He finished the 2010 season with the Birmingham Barons.
He joined the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
organization in 2011 and was assigned to the Triple-A Salt Lake Bees
.
Armstrong had another "rage" incident with an umpire on the field on May 15, 2011 when he had to be restrained by his manager after going after home plate umpire Eric Loveless during 5-2 loss at Oklahoma City. Armstrong got in the face and later charged at Loveless after a runner stole home following a double from Tommy Manzella.
According to The Oklahoman/NewsOK.com, "Armstrong was ejected quickly in the fourth inning after a play at the plate. Home plate umpire Eric Loveless called Oswaldo Navarro safe at the plate on Manzella's double, sending Armstrong into a rage. Armstrong spiked the ball and was immediately ejected by Loveless as Bees manager Keith Johnson sprinted to the plate to get between Armstrong and Loveless. Armstrong made a circle around Loveless, with Johnson in the middle, waving wildly. During the argument, Manzella moved to third base as no time was called."
No suspension was announced, although Armstrong did not play again until May 20.
Surrey, British Columbia
Surrey is a city in the province of British Columbia, Canada. It is a member municipality of Metro Vancouver, the governing body of the Greater Vancouver Regional District...
) is a professional baseball 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...
, who has played in international competition with the Canada national baseball team
Canada national baseball team
Canada has qualified for two Olympic games, in 2004 and 2008. Canadian teams also competed twice when baseball was a demonstration sport, in 1984 and 1988.-1984 Summer Olympics:...
.
Minor League Career
While attending high school at Delphi Academy in LangleyLangley, British Columbia (city)
The City of Langley is a municipality in Metro Vancouver. It lies directly east of the City of Surrey, adjacent to Cloverdale, and surrounded on the north, east and south by Township of Langley.-History:...
, British Columbia
British Columbia
British Columbia is the westernmost of Canada's provinces and is known for its natural beauty, as reflected in its Latin motto, Splendor sine occasu . Its name was chosen by Queen Victoria in 1858...
, Armstrong played multiple seasons for the Whalley Chiefs (now the Fraser Valley Chiefs) of the B.C. Premier Baseball League
B.C. Premier Baseball League
The British Columbia Premier Baseball League, commonly referred to as the BCPBL or the PBL, is a competitive youth baseball league consisting of 13 teams located throughout British Columbia, Canada...
. He played for Canada at the 2000 World Junior Baseball Championship in Sherbrooke, Quebec
Quebec
Quebec or is a province in east-central Canada. It is the only Canadian province with a predominantly French-speaking population and the only one whose sole official language is French at the provincial level....
.
Armstrong, who also played at Chipola (Fla.) Junior College, was drafted by the New York Mets in the 32nd Round of 2001 Draft but did not sign. He was drafted again by the Atlanta Braves
Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....
in the 12th round (487th overall) of the 2003 Major League Baseball Draft
2003 Major League Baseball Draft
The 2003 First-Year Player Draft, Major League Baseball's annual amateur draft, was held on June 3 and 4. It was conducted via conference call with representatives from each of the league's 30 teams.Source: -First round selections:...
. He played one year for the University of Kansas
University of Kansas
The University of Kansas is a public research university and the largest university in the state of Kansas. KU campuses are located in Lawrence, Wichita, Overland Park, and Kansas City, Kansas with the main campus being located in Lawrence on Mount Oread, the highest point in Lawrence. The...
Jayhawks
Kansas Jayhawks
The sports teams at the University of Kansas are known as the Jayhawks. They are one of three schools in the state of Kansas that participate in NCAA Division I. The Jayhawks are also a member of the Big 12 Conference...
in before entering the Minor League. After stints with the Gulf Coast League Braves in , the Danville Braves
Danville Braves
The Danville Braves are a minor league baseball team in Danville, Virginia, USA. They are an Advanced Rookie-level team in the Appalachian League and have been a farm team of the Atlanta Braves since 1993. The Braves play home games at American Legion Post 325 Field...
in and the Rome Braves
Rome Braves
The Rome Braves are a Class-A minor league affiliate of the Atlanta Braves. In 2003, the team, previously known as the Macon Braves, moved from Macon, Georgia, to Rome, Georgia, 60 miles northwest of Atlanta....
in , Armstrong was picked by the White Sox that winter in the Rule 5 Draft.
He split parts of the next two seasons between the Winston-Salem Warthogs
Winston-Salem Warthogs
The Winston-Salem Dash is a minor league baseball team in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA. They are a Class High-A team in the Carolina League and have been a farm team of the Chicago White Sox since 1997...
and the Birmingham Barons
Birmingham Barons
The Birmingham Barons are a minor league baseball team based in Birmingham, Alabama. The team, which plays in the Southern League, is the Double-A affiliate of the Chicago White Sox major-league club....
.
Armstrong threatened to kill a Minor League umpire on the field in 2007 according to an account in author Bruce Weber's 2009 book, "As They See 'Em: A Fan's Travels in the Land of Umpires." Only July 11, 2007, Armstrong, the catcher that day for Winston-Salem, was ejected in the bottom of the eighth inning from a game between Winston-Salem and the Myrtle Beach Pelicans
Myrtle Beach Pelicans
The Myrtle Beach Pelicans are a minor league baseball team in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. They are a Class A Advanced team in the Carolina League and the franchise is currently the farm team of the Texas Rangers. From their inaugural season until 2010, the Pelicans were an affiliate of the...
by umpire Andy Russell. Russell tells the following story on page 124 of Weber's book:
"In the bottom of the eighth with two out, a Myrtle Beach runner [Derrick Arnold] stole second. Andy called the runner safe on a close play, and the next batter [Roberto Alvarez] hit a home run. 'That's when the catcher came sprinting out and went off on me,' Andy said. 'He said, 'That's on you.' And he said, 'You don't even know, I'm going to effing kill you.'"
Russell said the altercation and death threat from Armstrong prompted him to abruptly quit umpiring -- he was replaced on the field the following day by a new umpire, Andy Dudones.
He re-signed with Chicago on Feb. 27, 2008 for a one-year deal and signed another one-year contract for $400,000 with the White Sox on Feb. 24, 2009. Halfway through the season, Armstrong was promoted to the Triple-A Charlotte Knights
Charlotte Knights
The Charlotte Knights are a minor league baseball team representing Charlotte, North Carolina. The team, which plays in the International League, is the Triple-A affiliate of the Chicago White Sox of the American League...
where he has remained through the season.
Armstrong was designated for assignment on January 12, 2010.
On January 19, 2010, Cole was out-righted to Triple-A Charlotte. He finished the 2010 season with the Birmingham Barons.
He joined the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim are a professional baseball team based in Anaheim, California, United States. The Angels are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The "Angels" name originates from the city in which the team started, Los Angeles...
organization in 2011 and was assigned to the Triple-A Salt Lake Bees
Salt Lake Bees
The Salt Lake Bees are a Pacific Coast League minor league baseball team based in Salt Lake City, Utah. The Bees serve as the Triple-A affiliate of Major League Baseball's Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. They play their home games at Spring Mobile Ballpark, known to fans as the Apiary, which was...
.
Armstrong had another "rage" incident with an umpire on the field on May 15, 2011 when he had to be restrained by his manager after going after home plate umpire Eric Loveless during 5-2 loss at Oklahoma City. Armstrong got in the face and later charged at Loveless after a runner stole home following a double from Tommy Manzella.
According to The Oklahoman/NewsOK.com, "Armstrong was ejected quickly in the fourth inning after a play at the plate. Home plate umpire Eric Loveless called Oswaldo Navarro safe at the plate on Manzella's double, sending Armstrong into a rage. Armstrong spiked the ball and was immediately ejected by Loveless as Bees manager Keith Johnson sprinted to the plate to get between Armstrong and Loveless. Armstrong made a circle around Loveless, with Johnson in the middle, waving wildly. During the argument, Manzella moved to third base as no time was called."
No suspension was announced, although Armstrong did not play again until May 20.