Reminder of Third Grade

It was 1980. A young third grade student was a Tiger fan. His teacher, Ms. Lewis, had a cousin from Coleman who pitched in the major leagues. Verne Ruhle, a Michigan native, pitched in the major leagues for about twelve years and has spent several years since as a coach in various organizations. I always thought it was cool that my teacher's cousin was a Detroit Tiger at one point. That was a good connection for a teacher to make with a student.

I just logged on and found out that Ruhle has died. You can read about it at this link, or read below. As per expectations, I would like to credit Yahoo! Sports for this information.

* * * * *

January 21, 2007

CINCINNATI (AP) -- Vern Ruhle, a former major league pitcher and coach for several teams, died after a yearlong battle with cancer. He was 55.

Ruhle died Saturday at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston of complications from treatment for multiple myeloma, a cancer of the bone marrow, the Cincinnati Reds said Sunday.

Ruhle pitched for Detroit, Houston, Cleveland and the California Angels from 1974-86, going 67-88 with a 3.73 ERA. He was a pitching coach with Houston, Philadelphia and the New York Mets before joining the Reds organization in 2004.

Ruhle began 2006 as the Reds' pitching coach, but he was diagnosed during a routine physical in February and missed the whole season. He had been assigned to work as the Reds' minor league pitching rehabilitation coordinator for the upcoming season.

"The baseball and Cincinnati Reds families mourn the loss of an excellent coach, wonderful husband and loving father," the team said in a statement.

He is survived by his wife, Sue; a daughter, Rebecca; and son, Kenny.