Cole Armstrong - Minor League Career

Minor League Career

While attending high school at Delphi Academy in Langley, British Columbia, Armstrong played multiple seasons for the Whalley Chiefs (now the Fraser Valley Chiefs) of the B.C. Premier Baseball League. He played for Canada at the 2000 World Junior Baseball Championship in Sherbrooke, Quebec.

Armstrong, who also played at Chipola (Fla.) Junior College, was drafted by the New York Mets in the 32nd Round of 2001 Draft but did not sign. He was drafted again by the Atlanta Braves in the 12th round (487th overall) of the 2003 Major League Baseball Draft. He played one year for the University of Kansas Jayhawks in 2002 before entering the Minor League. After stints with the Gulf Coast League Braves in 2003, the Danville Braves in 2004 and the Rome Braves in 2005, Armstrong was picked by the White Sox that winter in the Rule 5 Draft.

He split parts of the next two seasons between the Winston-Salem Warthogs and the Birmingham Barons.

Armstrong threatened to kill a Minor League umpire on the field in 2007 according to an account in author Bruce Weber's 2009 book, "As They See 'Em: A Fan's Travels in the Land of Umpires." Only July 11, 2007, Armstrong, the catcher that day for Winston-Salem, was ejected in the bottom of the eighth inning from a game between Winston-Salem and the Myrtle Beach Pelicans by umpire Andy Russell. Russell tells the following story on page 124 of Weber's book:

"In the bottom of the eighth with two out, a Myrtle Beach runner stole second. Andy called the runner safe on a close play, and the next batter hit a home run. 'That's when the catcher came sprinting out and went off on me,' Andy said. 'He said, 'That's on you.' And he said, 'You don't even know, I'm going to effing kill you.'"

Russell said the altercation and death threat from Armstrong prompted him to abruptly quit umpiring -- he was replaced on the field the following day by a new umpire, Andy Dudones.

He re-signed with Chicago on Feb. 27, 2008 for a one-year deal and signed another one-year contract for $400,000 with the White Sox on Feb. 24, 2009. Halfway through the 2008 season, Armstrong was promoted to the Triple-A Charlotte Knights where he has remained through the 2009 season.

Armstrong was designated for assignment on January 12, 2010.

On January 19, 2010, Cole was out-righted to Triple-A Charlotte. He finished the 2010 season with the Birmingham Barons.

He joined the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim organization in 2011 and was assigned to the Triple-A Salt Lake Bees.

Armstrong had another "rage" incident with an umpire on the field on May 15, 2011 when he had to be restrained by his manager after going after home plate umpire Eric Loveless during 5-2 loss at Oklahoma City. Armstrong got in the face and later charged at Loveless after a runner stole home following a double from Tommy Manzella.

According to The Oklahoman/NewsOK.com, "Armstrong was ejected quickly in the fourth inning after a play at the plate. Home plate umpire Eric Loveless called Oswaldo Navarro safe at the plate on Manzella's double, sending Armstrong into a rage. Armstrong spiked the ball and was immediately ejected by Loveless as Bees manager Keith Johnson sprinted to the plate to get between Armstrong and Loveless. Armstrong made a circle around Loveless, with Johnson in the middle, waving wildly. During the argument, Manzella moved to third base as no time was called."

No suspension was announced, although Armstrong did not play again until May 20.