Jim Poole was a left-handed relief pitcher who played for six different teams during his 11-year Major League Baseball career. He was born on March 23, 1966, in Rochester, New York, and attended the University of South Carolina, where he played college baseball.
Poole was drafted by the Baltimore Orioles in the ninth round of the 1988 MLB draft and made his major league debut with the team in 1990. He spent two seasons with the Orioles before being traded to the Texas Rangers in 1992.
After a brief stint with the Rangers, Poole was traded to the Cleveland Indians in 1993. He spent three seasons with the Indians and was a member of the team that won the American League pennant in 1995. Poole pitched in two games during the 1995 World Series, allowing one run in 1.2 innings of work.
In 1996, Poole signed with the San Francisco Giants as a free agent. He spent two seasons with the Giants before being traded to the Seattle Mariners in 1998. Poole had a career year with the Mariners in 1999, posting a 2.10 ERA in 68 appearances out of the bullpen.
After the 1999 season, Poole signed with the Philadelphia Phillies as a free agent. He spent one season with the Phillies before being traded to the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2001. Poole struggled with the Diamondbacks, posting a 6.75 ERA in 22 appearances before being released in June of that year.
Poole retired from baseball after the 2001 season with a career record of 22-18 and a 4.31 ERA in 476 appearances. He struck out 313 batters in 424 innings pitched and recorded 10 saves.
Off the field, Poole was known for his charitable work. He was a frequent visitor to children's hospitals and was involved with the Make-A-Wish Foundation. In 1999, he was named the Mariners' nominee for the Roberto Clemente Award, which recognizes players who demonstrate a commitment to community service.
Overall, Jim Poole had a solid career as a left-handed reliever in Major League Baseball. While he never became a star player, he was a reliable bullpen arm for several teams and made a positive impact both on and off the field.
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