According to recent MLB rumors, knuckleballer Phil Coke is eyeing a return to MLB, after playing in Japan in 2017.
Nine-year MLB veteran Phil Coke is eyeing a return to MLB, but this time around, things will be much different. We’re not talking about his effectiveness, but his style, where the 35-year old southpaw has discovered the art of the knuckleball. MLB rumors are buzzing, sparking interest from MLB teams in the process.
According to Chris Cotillo of SB Nation, Coke appears to be impressing in his “spin rate” during recent bullpen sessions.
Left-hander Phil Coke is attempting a comeback as a knuckleballer. 35-year-old spent time in Japan in 2017. Said to be intriguing teams with spin rate in bullpen sessions.
— Chris Cotillo (@ChrisCotillo) February 5, 2018
For those of you wondering, who is Phil Coke? He played nearly a decade in MLB, primarily with the New York Yankees and Detroit Tigers — with short stints with the Chicago Cubs, Toronto Blue Jays, and Milwaukee Brewers. During his nine-year career, Coke was mostly steady throughout his MLB tenure — 4.19 ERA. 1.44 WHIP. 421 innings pitched. 323/159 strikeout to walk ratio. He did pitch in the World Series on two occasions — winning the 2009 Fall Classic with the Yankees and falling short with the Tigers in 2012.
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His most recent MLB season was back in 2016, where he only logged a total of 10 innings combined with both the Yankees and Pirates.
Coke then packed his bags and flew out of the United States Time Zone, donning the jersey of Orix Buffaloes, in the Japan Pacific League. He logged 23 plus innings, he allowed13 runs, 30 hits — while posting a 16/10 strikeout to walk ratio.
Not only is Coke adopting a quirky pitching style, but he boasts a tremendous and fun personality. A great moment is when he reminisces about striking out Tigers’ legend Miguel Cabrera. Apparently, Cabrera does not remember facing Coke, where he struck out on a full count — with this fun exchange displaying much charisma between the two players.
"Cabrera: “What I do, home run”?Coke: “No.Cabrera: “Oh, double for sure.”Coke: “No.”Cabrera: “You walk me you wuss. You walk me, you sissy.”Coke: “No. I struck you out on a 3-2 breaking ball.”Cabrera: I don’t remember horse crap pitchers."
This world needs more:
— Eric Wayne (@EricWaynesBrain) February 6, 2018
1. Peace and understanding
2. Phil Coke
3. Access to clean drinking water
4. I dunno, other stuff probably
That exchange is priceless, no doubt generating many laughs in the process. Miguel Cabrera may be the best player of our generation, who will walk straight off the baseball diamond, into the Baseball Hall of Fame. Meanwhile, Coke is just looking to find his way back into the Big Leagues.
Bring Phil Coke back to the Tigers. Give me something fun in this surely terrible year of baseball.
— Mark Powell (@mp2_pgh) February 6, 2018
It seems the only way possible is by changing it up, with a nasty knuckleball now as his primary pitch. The knuckleball is hard to predict, with only a few mastering that craft successfully over the years.
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It’s unknown whether Phil Coke will perfect this unconventional pitch, but if Tim Tebow has a shot at making an MLB roster, then so does he. Let’s hope these MLB rumors are true. We’re rooting for you, Mr. Coke!