There are more “hey, I remember that guy” players in baseball than any other sport. Walt Weiss had one of the most unremarkable careers you could think of and he remains memorable 25-years later. But there is always something a bit odd seeing these familiar former big leaguers as MLB base coaches.
They are on the field and in full uniform. You almost feel like they should still be playing. And yet all they’re doing is waving guys home and passing on unnecessarily complex signs to batters. There are plenty of former big leaguers who are now MLB base coaches, but here are seven you will definitely remember.
Related: Steve Bartman, Jeffrey Maier and the unfairness of baseball
7 former big leaguers who are now MLB base coaches
1Phil Nevin – New York Yankees – Third Base Coach
The inspiration for this article came from finding out Phil Nevin was the New York Yankees third base coach. It wasn’t surprising that he was there, but just hearing Nevin’s name was a blast from the past.
The first overall pick in the 1992 MLB draft was selected by the Houston Astros ahead of Derek Jeter. It took Nevin awhile to find his footing at the major league level and he didn’t really do much of note until being traded to the San Diego Padres in 1999. He had a nice, five-year run there before injuries derailed his career.
2Mark Kotsay – Oakland A’s – Third Base Coach
Like Nevin, Mark Kotsay went to CSU Fullerton and is now a third base coach. The two were even teammates in San Diego for a few seasons. The main difference is that Nevin had a short peak and Kotsay seemingly played forever. I was a little surprised to find out he was actually a coach and not on an active roster somewhere.
3Sandy Alomar, Jr. – Cleveland Indians – First Base Coach
It’s kind of surprising to look at the career of Sandy Alomar Jr. today. Growing up, he was an All-Star, and it felt like he was a really good player. But then you glance at his numbers and they are pretty much the same as Bengie Molina or Mike Lieberthal. Alomar Jr. wasn’t bad, but he wasn’t as good as you may remember. Being Roberto’s brother probably helped.
He’s been coaching in Cleveland for more than a decade now, having been manning the first base coach’s box since 2016.
4Eric Young – Atlanta Braves – First Base Coach
Not only is Eric Young the first base coach for the Atlanta Braves, but his son, Eric Young Jr., is a coach in the Seattle Mariners organization. If that doesn’t make you feel old, nothing will. As for Young Sr., the second baseman had a solid career and was known mostly for his speed.
5Delino DeShields – Cincinnati Reds – First Base Coach
Delino DeShields Sr. and Eric Young Sr. are incredibly similar. They are both currently first base coaches in the National League. Their sons both made it to the majors. Young Sr. and DeShields Sr. were second basemen known for their speed. And look at these nearly identical numbers:
| Delino DeShields Sr. | Eric Young Sr. | |
| Steals | 463 | 465 |
| Home Runs | 80 | 79 |
| RBIs | 561 | 543 |
| OBP | .352 | .359 |
6Tony Tarasco – New York Mets – First Base Coach
Tony Tarasco was known for one thing as a pro ballplayer and that’s the Jeffrey Maier game. Okay, maybe you also remember him from the New York Mets infamous marijuana season of 2002. Those were basically his only highlights in the show, but at least they’re memorable. Somehow Tarasco found his way back to the Mets as their first base coach in 2021.
7Gary DiSarcina – New York Mets – Third Base Coach
I actually remember Gary DiSarcina more from R.B.I. Baseball ’93 than I do from his actual career. I recall playing the game a lot when the movie Angels in the Outfield was released and, for some reason, I would always want to play against what were then known as the California Angels.
Anyway, DiSarcina was one of those middling middle infielders that seemed to be prevalent in baseball during the 1990s. Apart from a random All-Star appearance in 1995, he spent seven-and-a-half pedestrian seasons as the Angels starting shortstop. These days he is the third base coach for the New York Mets.
