Wendell Kim is out at home

[Buffalo Head]

Just like Bernard Gilkey with the bases loaded and nobody out in September, 2000, former Red Sox third-base coach Wendell Kim is dead.
 
Nobody was better than Kim at running off the field with such unadulterated hustle and joy after single-handedly snuffing out a critical late-inning rally.
 
He was 64. RIP Wendell.
 
 

 

[Oil Can Dan]

I remember back in '98 or so he had a blog of some sort where he made himself available to answer emails from fans or whoever. I don't remember the specific situation I asked him about, but I remember he answered my email really quickly, and I thought it was really cool that the third base coach of the Boston Red Sox took time to answer my questions.

All the best to his family.

 

[mauf]

Statistical analysis has taught us that most 3rd base coaches are too risk-averse. Kim was probably better at his job than we realized at the time.
 
RIP.

 

[bibajesus]

Im sure St Peter is waving him through the pearly gates. Hopefully he isn't thrown out before he gets there.

 

[SeoulSoxFan]

Damn. Son of a Korean boxer, always wished him best & always thought he overcame a lot in his life. RIP. 

 

[mabrowndog]

I loved the way he sprinted to and from the coach's box at the beginning & end of every inning.
 
Pick any game at random and Wendell Kim did more full-out running than Manny Ramirez did during his entire Red Sox tenure.

 

[Yazdog8]

I remember back in '98 or so he had a blog of some sort where he made himself available to answer emails from fans or whoever. I don't remember the specific situation I asked him about, but I remember he answered my email really quickly, and I thought it was really cool that the third base coach of the Boston Red Sox took time to answer my questions.

All the best to his family.

So sad to hear this news. I too got some emails answered from Mr. Kim. He was always very nice and extremely encouraging.

Such a sad way for him to go.

 

[Matty005]

I remember him standing on the Sox dugout before every game (home or away) signing autographs.  Thought that was always cool of him and I would always think of that everytime he'd get a runner thrown out at home.

 

[Buffalo Head]

Statistical analysis has taught us that most 3rd base coaches are too risk-averse. Kim was probably better at his job than we realized at the time.
 
RIP.

I'm sorry he died, but let's not get crazy here.

 

[pedro1918]

I have a very distinct memory of Wendell Kim on the field at Oriole Park pre-game, standing and chatting with a tall guy dressed in a suit. The Red Sox fans were yelling "Wendell!" Begging for him to come over and sign autographs. After a few minutes, Kim shook hands with the guy in the suit, came over, hopped up on the dugout and began signing.

The guy in the suit, Jim Palmer, walked away basically unnoticed.

Palmer was a Hall of Famer, but Kim was a rock star.

RIP, Wendell.

 

[epraz]

From the OP link, I can't think of a better tribute:
 

 

[bibajesus]

Is that a diet dr pepper?

 

[LogansDad]

E5 Yaz posted this story in the P&G death forum, and I had read it a while back.  Certainly not an unexpected death, but a sad one none the less.  
 
He may not have been the greatest third base coach, but he always appeared to enjoy what he did, and, more importantly, always seemed to appreciate the fans and seemed like a genuinely good dude. 
 
RIP, Wendell.

 

[DLew On Roids]

He was one of the icons of pre-2004 SoSH.  Send Em In one more time for old-times' sake.

 

[Sprowl]

The thread title has just the right mixture of shock and guffaw.


I want to hear the eulogy from Wave 'em in, Wendell!

 

[Rice4HOF]

I'm sorry he died, but let's not get crazy here.

If you don't think Kim was better than the average third base coach, you should read this Baseball Prospectus article.
 
tl;dr version:

the ideal third-base coach is a sign on a stick featuring the words "If the gentleman currently holding the ball is an outfielder, please turn left and run an additional 90 feet." It's counter-intuitive, but the third-base coach doing the most for his team is not the one who has the highest safe-rate, but the one who has the highest go-now rate
 

 

[Leather]

Rod Beck.  Now that's a man.

 

[Frisbetarian]

I loved the way he sprinted to and from the coach's box at the beginning & end of every inning.
 
Pick any game at random and Wendell Kim did more full-out running than Manny Ramirez did during his entire Red Sox tenure.

 
Yeah, that Manny sure was lazy. Jesus.

 

[yecul]

Looking over that list of rules I'm skeptical that Rod Beck ever went in.

Completely agree with the above sentiment that he was treated unfairly in hindsight. Wave 'em indeed.
 
RIP

 

[Wave em in Wendall]

Obviously, the little guy was a favorite of mine. Growing up, I remember those epic sprints out of the dugout and just thinking 'wow - this guy loves the game'. The windmill arm be damned, he wasn't the best or the worst third base coach we have seen, but by every single account, he was a great baseball man.
 
I had never seen that Rod Beck Photo - thanks for posting @epraz.
 
May he rest in peace.