The Best Player that you Never Saw

[CEO2044]

Just read this story, haven't gotten to read the SI story this month on Brian Cole, former Meridian High standout.

Worked with his brother "Popeye" when I was a little kid for an independent team. Popeye was one of the best hitters I've ever seen, super fast center fielder. Once saw him at the plate when a guy was trying to walk him- the guy left it up high and out, and Popeye somehow jumped at this ball and hit it overhead like you'd hit a tennis serve- got a double. Never seen anyone else do it.

Oh- he's about 5'8, 2002-210ish.

Been telling that story for years. Go to read this article- second or third sentence is about Brian doing the EXACT same thing, only he homered. Very cool to read. So many other things that were a lot like Popeye as I kept reading- but that one just shocked me.

SI apparently did an 8 page spread on Brian. There could possibly be a movie.

 

[Steakonastick]

He was a freak of nature. Was the best football player on that 96 wildcat team. Which included Kenny Smith and Kenyatta Walker.

Pretty sure he still has the record for home runs hit in a season for Misissippi High Schools.

 

[CEO2044]

Popeye talked about him like he was going to be great. I worked with him in 96 and 97, so I guess Brian was still in high school. I was too young to have known what he would have been.

Hated hearing about his death. Popeye is one of those "full of life" characters, and one I'll never forget no matter what; I can only imagine if his brother had half the personality of him. One of my favorite baseball players of all-time for sure.

 

[Mjoelner]

Popeye somehow jumped at this ball and hit it overhead like you'd hit a tennis serve- got a double. Never seen anyone else do it.

I had it happen to me. This one guy from Seminary absolutely owned me. I don't think I ever got him out in 3 years. My last time to face him I was pissed off and overthrowing. My first pitch was about shoulder high and he swung. So, I intentionally climbed the ladder to see if he wanted to go fishing. The second pitch was head high and he spun around he swung so hard. By this time I was thinking 'What an idiot!'. My next pitch would have been a wild pitch about 7 feet high but he sent it about 400 feet in the opposite direction. The pitch was so high it looked like he was chopping wood when he swung. Its weird but I didn't feel bad about the homerun. The stupid son of a ***** shouldn't have even swung at the pitch.

 

[RocketCityDawg]

Mt. Oive vs Seminary, mmm

I went to the HS between them in Covington County, Collins, years before you...and the intense baseball games for CHS were with Bassfield.
There was gonna be a fist-fight before the game ended. Always.

Intense rivalry with Collins HS: Mt Ollie and Seminary, yes.
But not altercations, as with Bassfield.

RCD