RIP - Choo Choo Coleman

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1960s Phillies and Mets catcher Clarence "Choo Choo" Coleman passed away on August 15, 2016 at age 78.

Coleman began his pro career in 1955, and played for 7 seasons in the Senators' and Dodgers' farm systems before making his major-league debut in 1961 with the Phillies.

He was selected by the Mets in the 1962 expansion draft, and played part of '62 and all of '63 with the Mets. 1963 was the high point of his career, making more starts behind the plate that season than any other Mets' catcher.

Choo Choo was back in the minors for all of '64 and 65, and finished his MLB career with 6 games for the Mets in April 1966. He played the remainder of '66 and part of '69 for the Mets' AAA team, and in Mexico during 1970 and 1972.

NY Daily News obit

NY Times obit

Bamberg, SC obit

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