Tom Nieto, a 2-time World Series catcher, has died at 65, prompting an outpouring of reactions across the MLB community after his family confirmed the news. Nieto’s sister reported her brother’s death on Facebook
“On Friday, March 27, my brother Tom passed away after a heart attack, leaving cherished memories in Florida with his family,” wrote Nieto’s sister Denise Nieto-Jackson. “His strength and resilience will continue to inspire us all.”
A native of California, Nieto played college baseball at Oral Roberts University in Oklahoma, and was drafted in 1981 by the Cardinals in the third round.
Called Up to the Majors in 1984
The Cardinals called him up to the big leagues on May 10, 1984. The following season Nieto played 95 games for the Cardinals as their backup catcher behind regular starter Darrell Porter, and went to the World Series with St. Louis.
In the 1985 postseason, Nieto came to the plate 11 times but did not record a hit, though he walked twice and scored a run. The Cardinals lost that series in seven games to the Kansas City Royals.
Before the 1986 season, the Cardinals traded Nieto to the Montreal Expos. After playing 72 games in Montreal, the Expos traded Nieto again, this time to the Minnesota Twins. In 1987, Nieto played on the Twins team that won the World Series, defeating the team that drafted him, again in seven games.
Nieto finished his career playing two years for the Philadelphia Phillies before ending his playing career after the 1990 season. In his seven MLB years, he compiled a .561 OPS with five home runs and 127 hits, 55 walks and 135 strikeouts in 697 plate appearances.
But Nieto was not done with baseball. He continued his career as a coach and manager in the minor leagues, skippering teams in the Cincinnati Reds, New York Yankees, and Cardinals and Twins farm systems.
In 2005 he made it back to the major leagues as catching instructor for the New York Mets, who promoted him to first base coach in 2008. But the Mets fired Nieto along with manager Willie Randolph midway through that season. Nieto returned to the minors where he continued to manage teams in the Yankees’ system through 2017.
MLB World Reactions to Nieto’s Death
After his sister posted the news of Nieto’s death, tributes came in online.
“We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of former Red Wings manager Tom Nieto,” a statement on the X (formerly Twitter) account of the Triple-A Rochester Red Wings, a team managed by Nieto in 2010 and 2011. “Tom was a respected leader in our clubhouse and a valued member of the Red Wings family. His impact on the game and the players he mentored will never be forgotten. Our thoughts are with his family, friends, and all who had the privilege of playing for him.”
“Rest in peace, Tom Nieto,” posted Kevin Glew, editor at Canadian Baseball Network. “The longtime MLB catcher played 30 games for the Montreal Expos in 1985. My condolences to his family and friends.”
The Twins Almanac also posted a tribute to Nieto on Facebook.
“We are sorry to hear the news that former Cardinals catcher Tom Nieto has passed away at age 65,” wrote St. Louis Sports Page on social media. “Great guy. RIP Tom.”
“His passing marks the loss of an important figure in Cardinals history and the MLB community,” wrote Kansas City Today.
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