Coco Crisp Embarking Upon New Career Path
By David Hill
When last we saw Coco Crisp, he had become a key part of the Cleveland Indians postseason run. After failing to find a team in free agency, the former outfielder has now taken a new career path.
The past two seasons had not been kind to Coco Crisp. He struggled through an injury plagued 2015 campaign, and he never really seemed to get on track last year. In his time with the A’s and Indians, Crisp had a combined .231/.302/.397 batting line, his worst performance over a full season since 2007. He did show a bit of his former power and speed, hitting 13 homers and stealing 10 bases, but at 36 years old, was not close to being his former self.
Nonetheless, Crisp emerged as a key part of the Indians postseason. Although he had only seven hits in his 32 playoff plate appearances, he did have two doubles and two homers. Crisp even managed to steal a base and draw three walks. Yet, given injury concerns and his age, Crisp found himself without an offer heading into the season.
Now that the first three months of the season have come and gone, that opportunity for Crisp to return to the majors has not materialized. Realizing that his major league career may well be over, he has embarked upon a new career path. as he accepted the head coaching position for the Shadow Hills High School baseball team.
More from Call to the Pen
- Philadelphia Phillies, ready for a stretch run, bomb St. Louis Cardinals
- Philadelphia Phillies: The 4 players on the franchise’s Mount Rushmore
- Boston Red Sox fans should be upset over Mookie Betts’ comment
- Analyzing the Boston Red Sox trade for Dave Henderson and Spike Owen
- 2023 MLB postseason likely to have a strange look without Yankees, Red Sox, Cardinals
If this is indeed the end for Crisp, he has had a solid career. During his 15 seasons, he produced a respectable .265/.327/.402 batting line, hitting 130 homers and stealing 309 bases. Crisp was also a solid outfielder, saving 57 runs between his time in center and left.
For as good as he was, Crisp was fairly underappreciated during his career. He only received MVP votes once, in 2013, when he placed 15th. Crisp was never an All Star or a gold Glove winner, despite his abilities on the field. Yet, he was a key part of five postseason teams, and won the World Series with the 2007 Red Sox.
Next: Josh Donaldson is a hot commodity
That final opportunity in the majors just never materialized for Coco Crisp. Now, he is moving on and forging a new career path.