What could have been? We’ll never know, and that’s the crime. Nine years ago this March, young Mets prospect Brian Cole, a centerfielder, climbed into his 2001 Ford Explorer, and embarked on a journey from Port St. Lucie to his parent’s home in Mississippi. Sadly for Cole, his cousin Ryan, the Cole family and the Mets, he never arrived. Cole was involved in an auto accident which claimed his life when he was ejected from the vehicle.
Former minor league teammates held Cole in high regard, not just for his ability, but for his personality and demeanor. So well respected was Cole, that former Mets pitcher, Pat Strange, named his first born son Brian Cole Strange in 2003.
Former Met reliever and current Padre closer, Heath Bell had this to say about his late teammate:
| "I don't remember him swinging and missing ever. I said, 'I would never want to face you because I never see you swing and miss.' "He was one of those guys you wish you saw him play in the big leagues. He was a little guy, but he hit for power. He had speed. And he hit for average." |
Former Mets GM Dan Duquette is in Mississippi to testify on behalf of the Cole family in a trial against the Ford Motor Corp. Duquette will testify of Cole’s potential as a professional baseball player. The Cole family is suing the Ford Corp, blaming their vehicle in the death of Cole. Cole, seat-belted, was thrown from the vehicle, thus resulting in his death. Ford claims Cole was driving at an excessive speed.
What a shame. What could have been? Cole, if able to progress like the Mets expected, would be in CF around the same time as Wright and Reyes joined the Major League ranks. Would Carlos Beltran have been a Met if Cole survived? Cole had speed, an arm, and surprising power for a man “small” in stature.
Alex Escobar got all the attention, but many believed Cole was the true talent.
Not only is the tragedy in what could have been, but also in that we will never know.
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