JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – Former Carson-Newman baseball coach Joey Seaver passed away late Monday evening at the age of 54.
"He spent all but four years coaching in the Appalachian Region from Division II, junior college and the pros to working camps and training sessions," Carson-Newman coach Tom Griffin said. "He was involved all year and a legacy that impacted the entire region. Guys that played with him for three months or four years were impacted by him. He used baseball as a vehicle to teach young men about life."
The mentor coached the Eagles baseball team from 1990-99 as he oversaw six South Atlantic Conference Championships, three NAIA playoff appearances and the transition to Division II.
In 1993, the team went 41-15 winning the SAC regular season and tournament titles before advancing to the NAIA World Series falling to Southeast Oklahoma and Point Loma Nazerene.
Seaver's final season saw the most successful year the program has had as a member of Division II winning the SAC's regular season crown before advancing to the College World Series. The Eagles defeated the No. 1 team in the country, Florida Southern, on its home field to get to the final destination.
Praying for peace and comfort for Seaver family. The baseball community is grateful and thankful for allowing him to influence and be a part of our lives.
— Carson Newman Baseball (@CNBaseball) December 4, 2018
When the year 2000 came, he made the move up the road to Walters State Community College where he spent the next 14 seasons. In 2014, he joined the Texas Rangers organization as a pitching coach in the minor league ranks.
A year ago, his career came full circle as he joined the Bristol Pirates as a pitching coach where he coached former C-N pitcher Will Gardner in his first season as a pro hurler. In eight outings, the righty notched three saves with 15 punch outs in 11 innings and a 0.82 earned run average before being promoted to West Virginia.
We lost one of the best men I've ever known today. Prayers for the Seaver family. pic.twitter.com/g6qUBOkpy0
— Will Gardner (@willgardner34) December 4, 2018
The hurler pitched for the University of Tennessee after spending time at Walters State. He was a fifth round pick of the Milwaukee Brewers in 1984 and a fourth round selection of the Baltimore Orioles in 1985.
Seaver is survived by his wife, Diana and three children, Matthew, Hannah and Ryan.
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