User:Halvorsen brian/Curt Coleman

Curtis Hancock "Curt" Coleman (February 18, 1887 – July 1, 1980) was a professional baseball player whose career spanned six seasons. One of those seasons (1912) was spent with the Major League Baseball (MLB) New York Highlanders. During his only MLB season, Coleman batted .243 with eight runs scored, nine hits, four doubles and four runs batted in (RBIs) in 12 games played. He attended Willamette University until 1906 when Coleman was recruited by Walt McCredie, the manager of the minor league Portland Beavers, to come play for his team in 1906.

After playing for Portland, Coleman's career was put on hold until 1909 when he signed with the minor league Tacoma Tigers of the Northwestern League. Coleman spent three seasons (1909–1911) with Tacoma before joining the MLB New York Highlanders. His final season in professional baseball came in 1915 as a member of the minor league Vancouver Beavers of the Northwestern League.

Early life and career
Curtis Hancock "Curt" Coleman was born on February 18, 1887 in Salem, Oregon to James R. Coleman and Elizabeth A. Coleman (née Miller ). Curt Coleman attended Salem High School where he played on the school's baseball team. Ned Garvin, a former Major League Baseball (MLB) pitcher, was Coleman's coach at Salem. In 1906, Coleman enrolled at Willamette University. He played third base and shortstop on the school's baseball team and played left end on their football team.

Coleman was signed by the minor league Portland Beavers manager Walt McCredie in June 1906. Coleman was referred to McCredie by Garvin, who was playing with the Beavers at the time. After being signed, Coleman was put through a try-out process to determine if he was ready to play with the Beavers in the Class-A Pacific Coast League. At the time, Coleman was just 19 years old. During his first month of play with Portland, Coleman had been dubbed "Mustard" by Beavers fans.

In 13 games played for the Beavers that season, Coleman batted .139 with five hits, one of which was a double. Despite previously being a third baseman, Coleman was used at second base during his stint with Portland. In October 1906, Coleman returned to the Salem area in time for the upcoming Willamette University football season. In 1907, Coleman took a job as the coach of the Salem High School baseball team. Later in 1907, Coleman enrolled at the University of Oregon. He played for the Tri-City, Oregon semi-professional baseball team at the first part of the 1908 season. On June 27, 1908, Coleman signed with the Salem Cherry Pickers, another semi-pro team.

Coleman signed with the minor league Tacoma Tigers of the Class-B Northwestern League. During his first season with the club, Coleman batted .228 with 121 hits, 15 doubles, five triples and two home runs in 137 games played. He re-signed with the club in 1910. On May 30, 1910, Coleman hit a game-winning home run in the tenth inning of a match-up against the Vancouver Beavers. On the season, he batted .219 with 118 hits, 14 doubles, five triples and four home runs in 152 games played.

Initially in 1911, Coleman refused to re-signed with Tacoma before his demands of a higher salary were met. It was rumored that Coleman was planning to take a position on the University of Oregon baseball club. However, by March 7, Coleman signed with the club with no raise in pay. In June, it was again rumored that Coleman would leave the Tigers. This time it was reported that wished to retire from professional baseball and return to his farm in Oregon. However, no such event ever occurred.