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Rockies vote full playoff share to coach’s widow

Minor league coach Coolbaugh killed by line drive in July

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updated 8:12 p.m. ET Oct. 4, 2007

PHILADELPHIA - The Colorado Rockies voted a full playoff share for the widow of minor league coach Mike Coolbaugh, killed by a line drive this season while coaching first base.

Some of the veteran players decided to award a full share to Amanda Coolbaugh. Their two sons, five-year-old Joseph and three-year-old Jacob, will throw out the first pitch in Game 3 at Colorado.

Coolbaugh was a first base coach for the Rockies’ Double-A affiliate, the Tulsa Drillers. The former major leaguer was killed July 22, when a line drive struck him in the head.

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Shortstop Troy Tulowitzki said awarding the family a share was the right thing to do.

“We’re obviously happy with the decision,” Tulowitzki said on Thursday. “I hope they are, too, and I’m sure they will be.”

Shaken by Coolbaugh’s death, Rockies first base coach Glenallen Hill now wears a helmet.

Manager Clint Hurdle was touched by the gesture.

“(It) speaks to their awareness, speaks to their passion, speaks to every good thing about them,” Hurdle said.

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