Coker honored to be selected for Hall

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Jerry Coker propelled Manning High to soaring heights during his time as an athlete in high school. He went on to travel the roads as a minor league baseball player, and is now a Clarendon County Athletic Hall of Famer. “I loved every minute of it,” he said. “I gained a lot more from the people around me than they could’ve ever gotten from me.” During his time in Manning, Coker played under coaches John Thames, Shad Hall, Maxie Knowlton and J.C. Britton, all of whom he holds in high regards. “They’re all in the hall of fame,” Coker said. “That should say everything.” “Coach John Thames, I’ve never met a finer man in my life,” he said. “I remember the people of Manning with such fine memories. I have such fine memories of my high school days.” After graduating from high school in 1968, Coker was offered athletic scholarships from Clemson University, Wofford College and the University of South Carolina. Coker instead went on the road to play minor league baseball for the Philadelphia Philly’s organization. “I loved it, I was young and one of my best friends, Ed Goldstone, was on the team,” he said. “He signed the same year I did, and he took me under his wing. We’d share seats on the bus, he’d teach me things and he opened my eyes to a different world.” Coming from Manning, Coker experienced a culture shock traveling the world. “It was a culture shock from the stand point of being around people who didn’t speak English, and the way they looked at life,” he said. “Being from Manning and a farmer’s son, you didn’t run into people that didn’t speak English at that time. It was different, but very enjoyable.” In his first, minor-league season Coker played under Dallas Green. “He was great: I have such found memories of Dallas Green,” he said. “He was a furious competitor. Some of my fondest memories was watching him argue calls, because coming from Manning you aren’t use to seeing the coaches arguing too much.” When you are playing professional ball, all that goes out the window. The managers are really competitive, and the rules are different. Dallas Green was one of those guys that put on a show when he argued calls.” Green went on to coach the Philadelphia Phillies to their first world series in 1980, which was no surprise to Coker. “His knowledge and dedication was great, and he expected the same from his players,” he said. “Dallas Green knew his baseball, he studied baseball, and it was just a matter of time before he started managing in the big leagues.” During his four seasons with the Phillies’ organization Coker batted .249, with 83 RBI, 40 stolen bases and three homeruns. He also had a fielding percentage of .941. “I enjoyed my years in the Phillies’ organization,” Coker said. “I can’t say anything negative about my experience.” After hanging up his cleats in 1971, Coker received a master’s degree from the University of South Carolina and began coaching Stephens County High School in 1974. “I just tried to kindle a love for the game,” he said. “I tried to be like coach Thames. I wanted the kids to enjoy life, enjoy playing the sport and didn’t want them to have too much pressure on their shoulders.” During his tenure as coach for Stephens County High School, Hillcrest High School and Thomas Sumter Academy, Coker’s teams won conference championships twice. Being inducted into the Hall of Fame is humbling for Coker, he said. “The recognition, of being associated with Ray Geddings, Torrey McCord, Miriam Taylor, Brian Mance, Fred Bennett, Ned Darley among many others is a great honor,” Coker said.