Jim Poole, who pitched for Cleveland's '95 World Series team, dies - ESPN

ATLANTA — Jim Poole, who pitched in the big leagues for 11 seasons and gave up the deciding homer to Atlanta's David Justice in the 1995 World Series, died of complications from ALS. He was 57.

Georgia Tech, his alma mater, announced that Poole died Friday in the Atlanta area surrounded by family. He was diagnosed two years ago with ALS, a progressive neurodegenerative condition also known as Lou Gehrig's Disease.

Poole made it to the majors with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1990 and played predominantly with the Baltimore Orioles, Cleveland Indians and San Francisco Giants. The left-handed reliever also had stints with the Texas Rangers, Philadelphia Phillies, Detroit Tigers and Montreal Expos before his retirement after the 2000 season.

Poole made 431 appearances over his career, all of them out of the bullpen. He finished 22-12 with four saves and a 4.31 ERA.

The most notable moment of his career came in 1995, when Cleveland won the AL pennant and faced the Braves in the World Series. Poole made two appearances in that Series, the second of them in a scoreless Game 6 with the Indians needing a win to force a decisive Game 7.

Taking over for Dennis Martinez with two on and two out in the fifth, Poole escaped the jam by fanning Hall of Fame slugger Fred McGriff. But Justice led off the sixth with a towering homer over the right-field fence that would be the lone run in Atlanta's championship-clinching victory. Tom Glavine and Mark Wohlers combined on a one-hitter in the 1-0 win.

Poole also made six postseason appearances for Cleveland in 1998, but the Indians were knocked off by the New York Yankees in the AL Championship Series.

In a total of 10 playoff outings, Poole yielded four hits and two runs in 7 1/3 innings, with