Firmin Simms, iconic Biddy, Babe Ruth coach, dies at 91

“I wanted to make sure I had as much time with him as possible,” said Moreau.
    

Moreau and his childhood mentor, coach Firmin Simms, were riding to a celebration of the life of former major leaguer Rusty Staub. Moreau played baseball and basketball for Simms. He is one of the thousands who count himself blessed.

    

“He is one of the most significant coaches in my lifetime in the city of New Orleans,” said Moreau. “He was woven into the fabric of our city.”
    

Simms died May 9 at the age of 91. Simms is a member of the Babe Ruth Baseball National Hall of Fame. And, he was also named “Mr. Basketball” in Louisiana by the state’s basketball coaches association in 2007.
    

Those were among his many honors, said Moreau.
    

“He was my confirmation sponsor,” Moreau said. “He used his Catholic faith to inspire many young men. He always used to tell me, ‘Dave, I am planting seeds.’”
    

Former Tulane baseball player Ronald Marigny was one. On his Facebook page, he wrote: “Yesterday, I learned of the passing of one of my fondest mentors. Firmin Simms was an unwavering man of God and an inspiration to youth in the New Orleans area. He was like a father to me and was an important part of my development as not only a baseball player, but a man.”
    

Bruce Civello was another one of Simms’ seeds. In 1964, he was part of the Simms team that reached the Babe Ruth World Series.
    

“We were no-hit in the first game,” said Civello. “But we won the last seven games, and the championship.”
    

On the way to the series in Klamath Falls, Oregon, the team stopped in Anaheim to see the Yankees play the Angels.
    

“Coach Simms took us to see Mickey Mantle,” said Civello. “It was one of the greatest times in my life.”
    

When Civello was through playing for Simms, he received a letter from the head coach.
    

“Thank you for working hard,” Simms wrote. “And, for a being a leader and a spiritual person.”
    

Fifty years later, Civello cherishes that letter.

 

In an email, Moreau rattled off the names of just some of those who played for or coached with Firmin Simms:
    

Rusty Staub, Gene Faust, Al Weidenbacher, Steve Costa, Will Clark, Marc Morial, Barry Butera, Daryl Moreau, Sean Tuohy, Ronald Marigny, Blair Barbier, Tommy Morel, Andy Galy, John Lavie, Msgr. Bob Massett, Tony Beaulieu, Jimmy Tillette, Donald Newman, Mark Wisniewski, Neal Comarda, Bill Babin, Kerry Kittles, Billy Rapp, D.J. Augustin, Steve Riley, Mark Spansel, Denis Sabrio, Bruce Civello and the Hrapmanns.
    

“I know I am leaving out many others,” said Moreau.
    

Delgado head baseball coach Joe Scheuermann didn’t play for Firmin Simms, but when his father, Rags, moved on from coaching Babe Ruth, he recommended Simms.
    

“All of his players respected him,” said Scheuermann.
    

And loved him.
    

On social media, Simms’ granddaughter Allie wrote the following: “He was such an amazing man and role model to everyone he coached and to all his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.”
    

She lamented that he would not be there to see her get married.
    

“I know he deserves the most crowded funeral that he can’t have right now, but nothing can stop us from celebrating his life!” Allie said.