Catcher Tom Nieto, who played for two World Series teams and won a championship with the Minnesota Twins in 1987, died March 27 according to an announcement on social media by his sister. He was 65.
According to Denise Nieto-Jackson, Tom Nieto died after suffering a heart attack.
More news: Former Braves Prospect, 2-Sport Star, Dies at 49 After Cancer Battle
Nieto also helped the St. Louis Cardinals reach the World Series in 1985 as the rookie half of a catching tandem with veteran Darrell Porter.
Though never the star of his team, Nieto persevered through parts of seven MLB seasons — and 11 overall as a professional — after being chosen in the third round of the 1981 draft out of Oral Roberts University.
A native of Southern California, Nieto became the Cardinals’ No. 5 prospect according to Baseball America by 1984. The following year, as the star-laden Cardinals rose to prominence under manager Whitey Herzog, a 24-year-old Nieto became the unlikely primary backstop.
More news: Former Cubs Pitcher Dies
After falling to the Kansas City Royals in a seven-game World Series, the Cardinals relegated Nieto to backup duties in 1985 — a role he held the remainder of his career. Nieto played for the Cardinals (1984-85), Montreal Expos (1986), Twins (1987-88), and Phillies (1989-90), retiring with a career .205/.280/.281 slash line.
After spending the 1991 minor league season with the Cardinals’ Triple-A affiliate, Nieto retired as a player and transitioned into a second career in coaching.
More news: Yankees Pitcher Who Won Two World Series Championships Dies
Nieto began his coaching career in 1992 with the Chattanooga Lookouts, a Cincinnati Reds affiliate. He went on to manage the 1993-94 Charleston Wheelers, 1997-98 Greensboro Bats, 1999-2000 Tampa Yankees and 2003-04 Palm Beach Cardinals.
Nieto was the Mets’ first base coach and catching instructor from 2005 until June 17, 2008, when he was fired on the same day as manager Willie Randolph.
More news: Former Mets Outfielder Dies; 10-Year MLB Veteran Spoiled Perfect Game
Nieto then returned to the Twins’ system, managing the Double-A New Britain Rock Cats in 2009 and Triple-A Rochester Red Wings in 2010 and 2011.
In 2012, Nieto returned to the Yankees as manager of the GCL Yankees.
For more MLB news, visit Newsweek Sports.
