The Los Angeles Angels received some unfortunate news on Sunday morning. Long-time Angels coach Bill Lachemann passed away at the age of 89.
He served as the bullpen coach for the team under the manager at the time Marcel Lachemann. Working alongside his brother made the game even more special for him, and it was an opportunity that he never took for granted.
“It’s not a job, it’s a fun thing for me,” Lachemann says. “Whatever they want me to do, they just point me in a direction and I do it.”
Lachemann was still active in 2018 at the age of 84, participating as the Angels roving catching instructor. He loved the game of baseball and never let his passion for it go away.
He was known for being the first one out onto the field, even in his advanced age. The love of the game kept him going, and players resonated with it. Former Angels manager Mike Scioscia spoke about Lachemann's work ethic back in 2013.
“He’s the first one in here . . . has his shin guards on before a lot of these guys are even out of bed,” says Angels Manager Mike Scioscia, a two-time All-Star catcher with the Dodgers during his playing career.
Lachemann used a firm but nonscolding approach with players. He understood that they would absorb his words better that way, and it was a mutual respect situation.
He would chart pitches during games to then quiz catchers later on. Lachemann wanted to make sure that the players were paying attention to each pitch. It was his way to keep the players engaged at all times.
Lachemann will be missed from this world, and the game of baseball was much better because of him. We wish his family and friends our deepest condolences.
More must-reads: