Detroit — Too soon. Too sudden.
Kimera Bartee, 49, died at his father’s home in Omaha, Nebraska, on Monday. The death came less than two months after he had been essentially rehired as the Tigers’ first base coach by manager AJ Hinch.
“Like many across baseball, I was devastated by the news of Kimera’s passing,” Hinch said. “The sport has lost an amazing man, but more importantly his family has lost a loving fiancé, father and son.”
Bartee's father, Jerry Bartee, confirmed to the Omaha World-Herald Tuesday night that the death was caused by a large tumor in the brain.