Over a 15-year Major League career, Joe Coleman, the hard-throwing right-hander, not only carved out impressive personal stats, but also became part of several unique baseball “firsts.”
From pioneering milestones with his family to franchise records and historical trades, Coleman’s journey weaves into the fabric of baseball lore in ways both big and small.
Here are five remarkable firsts Coleman achieved during his Major League career.
1. First Father-Son Duo Both Named MLB All-Stars
One of the most significant firsts tied to Coleman’s name is a family affair. When he was selected as an American League All-Star in 1972 for the Detroit Tigers, he joined his father, Joe Coleman Sr., who had been an All-Star in 1948.
Together, they became the first father and son in Major League Baseball history to each earn an All-Star selection–a milestone that cemented the Coleman family’s place in baseball’s generational legacy.
Though an injury prevented Joe Jr. from actually pitching in the 1972 game, the honor was no less meaningful. It connected two eras of baseball, linking the post-war years of his father’s career to the modern game of the 1970s.
The achievement also laid the groundwork for what would become an even rarer feat–a three-generation MLB family when Joe’s son, Casey Coleman, later pitched in the majors. Casey, though, was never selected as an All-Star.
2. First Washington Senators First-Round Draft Pick to Reach the Majors
When Major League Baseball launched its first amateur draft in 1965, the Washington Senators selected Coleman with the third overall pick. It was a significant step for both the franchise and the league, as the draft system aimed to create competitive balance by giving weaker teams first crack at amateur talent.
Coleman soon made good on that investment, becoming the first player drafted by the Senators in the first round to reach the major leagues. He debuted with Washington that same year, appearing in 11 games.
While the Senators were far from contenders at the time, Coleman’s arrival symbolized hope for the future, and proved the draft could deliver real talent to struggling teams. His development also paved the way for how franchises evaluated and nurtured young arms in the new draft era.
3. Among the First AL Pitchers Post-1968 to Record 200+ Strikeouts in Three Straight Seasons
Baseball’s 1968 season, often dubbed “The Year of the Pitcher,” led MLB to lower the mound in 1969 in an effort to help hitters regain the upper hand. In the wake of that change, few American League pitchers immediately managed to sustain high strikeout totals. Coleman, however, bucked the trend with remarkable consistency.
From 1971 through 1973, Coleman surpassed the 200-strikeout mark each year, posting totals of 236, 222, and 208 strikeouts, respectively. This made him one of the first AL pitchers after the mound was lowered to record three consecutive 200+ strikeout seasons.
His dominance during this period put him alongside names like Nolan Ryan and Gaylord Perry as one of the league’s premier strikeout artists. For the Detroit Tigers, his presence on the mound meant a reliable workhorse who could challenge any lineup in the league.
4. First Detroit Tigers Pitcher with Back-to-Back 200+ Strikeout Seasons Since Denny McLain
In Detroit, Coleman’s ability to generate strikeouts placed him in special company. After the Tigers’ star Denny McLain dominated the late 1960s, including his famous 31-win season in 1968, few Tigers pitchers matched his strikeout prowess. Coleman stepped into that role in the early 1970s.
With his performances in 1971 and 1972, Coleman became the first Detroit Tigers pitcher since McLain to notch back-to-back seasons with 200 or more strikeouts. His reliability on the mound provided the Tigers with a crucial frontline starter during a transitional era for the team.
Coleman’s consistency was all the more remarkable considering the offensive surge across baseball during the post-mound-lowering years. His achievements served as a bridge between Detroit’s powerhouse teams of the late 1960s and the rebuilding efforts that followed.
5. Part of the First-Ever MLB Trade for Denny McLain Post-Suspension
One of the most high-profile trades of the early 1970s saw Coleman thrust into the national spotlight off the field. In October 1970, he was traded from the Washington Senators to the Detroit Tigers as part of a blockbuster deal involving Denny McLain. McLain, a two-time Cy Young winner, had recently served a suspension for off-field issues and was looking for a fresh start.
This deal was historic because it was the first major trade involving a former Cy Young winner (McLain) after his suspension. Coleman was arguably the most successful piece the Tigers acquired, providing Detroit with immediate value in the rotation while McLain’s career unraveled in Washington.
The trade underscored how dramatically baseball fortunes (and reputations) can swing in the wake of controversy. For Coleman, it became a turning point, placing him in a Tigers uniform where he enjoyed the most productive stretch of his career.
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