Stu Cole
PositionInfielder / Coach
BatsRight
ThrowsRight
Birth dateFebruary 7, 1966 (age 60)
Birth placeCharlotte, North Carolina, U.S.
DebutleagueMLB
DebutdateSeptember 5
Debutyear1991
DebutteamKansas City Royals
FinalleagueMLB
FinaldateOctober 6
Finalyear1991
FinalteamKansas City Royals
StatleagueMLB
Stat1labelBatting average
Stat1value.143
Stat2labelHome runs
Stat2value0
Stat3labelRuns batted in
Stat3value0
Teams

As coach

Stewart Bryan Cole (born February 7, 1966) is an American former professional baseball infielder and coach. He was the third base coach for the Colorado Rockies of Major League Baseball (MLB) from 2013 to 2022. He played in 9 MLB games for the Kansas City Royals in 1991, playing in the minor leagues from 1987 to 1995.

Playing career

Cole attended South Mecklenburg High School in Charlotte, North Carolina. He was drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 19th round of the 1984 MLB draft but did not sign with the Pirates. He then attended the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. He was named to the All-Sun Belt Conference second team in 1987, leading the 49ers in batting average, hits, and home runs.[1] He was drafted by the Kansas City Royals with the 67th pick in the third round of the 1987 MLB draft, three spots ahead of John Vander Wal.[2][3]

Cole played in professional baseball from 1987 through 1995 in the Kansas City Royals and Colorado Rockies organizations.[4] He played nine game in MLB for the Royals in 1991.[5] His only hit came on September 13, a 12th inning single off of Michael Jackson of the Seattle Mariners.[6][7] He failed to lay down a bunt before getting his only MLB hit.[8]

Cole joined the Rockies organization in 1993. He was a replacement player in spring training in 1995 during the ongoing strike.[9][10] That year, he played his final minor league games and also began coaching.[4][11]

Coaching career

Cole coached in the Rockies organization beginning in 1995.[11][12] In 2001, he became the first manager of the Tri-City Dust Devils in franchise history.[13] He managed the Double-A Tulsa Drillers from 2006 to 2009 and was named manager of the Triple-A Colorado Springs Sky Sox in May 2009.[14] He was named third base coach for the Rockies on November 15, 2012.[15] Cole was nicknamed "The Doctor" because his batting practice pitching could make Rockies batters feel good.[16] He also coached infield defense with the Rockies. The Rockies reassigned Cole to a minor league staff position following the 2022 season.[17] Future Rockies manager Warren Schaeffer replaced Cole as third base coach.[18]

Personal life

Cole is married and has two children.[5]

References

  1. ^ "Charlotte Baseball Record Book". Charlotte 49ers. pp. 12, 18.
  2. ^ "Stu Cole Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Rookie Status & More". Baseball Reference. Retrieved 2025-01-04.
  3. ^ "3rd Round of the 1987 MLB June Amateur Draft". Baseball Reference. Retrieved 2025-10-20.
  4. ^ "Stu Cole Minor Leagues Statistics". Baseball Reference. Retrieved 2025-10-20.
  5. ^ "Stu Cole coach bio". MLB.com. Retrieved November 13, 2019.
  6. ^ "Stu Cole 1991 Batting Game Logs". Baseball Reference. Retrieved June 25, 2021.
  7. ^ "Seattle Mariners at Kansas City Royals Box Score, September 13, 1991". Baseball Reference. Retrieved June 25, 2021.
  8. ^ "Royals rally for victory over Mariners". The Daily Union. Associated Press. September 15, 1991. p. 13. Retrieved 2025-10-20. – via Google News Archive.
  9. ^ Etkin, Jack (1995-04-10). "What happens when big leaguers, replacements cross paths?". Waterloo Courier. Scripps Howard News Service. p. B3. Retrieved 2025-05-08.
  10. ^ "National League Team Capsules". USA Today. 1995-03-31. pp. 13C. Retrieved 2025-10-20.
  11. ^ "Successful Black Individuals Who Left a Lasting Impact with the Dust Devils". MiLB.com. February 27, 2022. Retrieved 2025-10-20.
  12. ^ Colorado Rockies 2013 Media Guide. Colorado Rockies. 2013. p. 22.
  13. ^ "Tri-City Dust Devils announce new manager, coaches for 2013". Tri-City Herald. February 5, 2013. Retrieved June 25, 2021.
  14. ^ Woerpel, Andrew (June 1, 2009). "Stu Cole Steps in as New Manager". MiLB.com. Retrieved November 13, 2019.
  15. ^ Colorado Springs Sky Sox (November 15, 2012). "Stu Cole & Rene Lachemann Promoted to Rockies". MiLB.com. Retrieved November 13, 2019.
  16. ^ "COL@ATL: Rockies' booth discusses Stu Cole's nickname | 08/25/2017". MLB.com. Retrieved 2025-10-20.
  17. ^ Harding, Thomas (13 October 2022). "Rockies part ways with Magadan, reassign Cole". MLB.com. Retrieved 7 November 2022.
  18. ^ "Rockies trade Sam Hilliard to Atlanta for pitching prospect; coaching staff for 2023 finalized". DNVR Sports. 2022-11-08. Retrieved 2025-10-20.