Jim Reinebold, Disciplinarian Coach - 29
"I was a hard-ass," Reinebold told The Tribune, adding a chuckle. "But years later, I've had so many former players come back to say how much they appreciated the discipline."
Reinebold's long career included a quarter century as head coach of the local South Bend Clay High School, as well as a decade as a coach for the local South Bend White Sox and Silver Hawks.
He passed away two years after he spoke with the Tribune, at the age of 87.
Reinebold's time as a minor league coach began when the South Bend Midwest League entrant began in 1988. He stayed with the club through 2000 and its switch from the White Sox to the Diamondbacks. He also had brief stints earlier with the Cubs and Athletics organizations, according to his obituary.
In all, Reinebold coached in seven different decades, his obituary reads. After serving in the military - entering during Korea - Reinebold started coaching. His longest stint came at Clay, 25 years, leading his team to the 1970 state championship and racking up 654 wins.
In his 1970 championship year, Clay went 39-3, rattling off 33 straight wins. He retired from Clay in 1988, before taking his pro job with the South Bend White Sox.
He earned places in three separate halls of fame, the Indiana High School Baseball Coaches, National Coaches and his hometown South Bend, his obituary reads.
Both Clay and the South Bend franchise also honored Reinebold by retiring his No. 4.
Reinebold also ran the Jim Reinebold Fall Baseball Camp, coaching there until age 83.
He passed away in February 2017.
"Coach will be missed for his leadership, his devotion to those willing to sacrifice to become better men and women, and his love of his family," his obituary reads.
- South Bend Tribune, May 17, 2015: Ballpark still special to Clay High School legend Jim Reinbold
- Welsheimer Funeral Home: James L. Reinebold Sr.
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