By Mark Everett Kelly/Special to The Messenger
Joey Eric Sims loves numbers. Counting down the days before his retirement from teaching math at Glencoe High School, Joey created trivia questions.
“The other day was the number nine,” Joey’s sister Sharron Sims Yancy said.” He asked who wore number nine of the Red Sox, and I knew it was Ted Williams.”
For Yancy, numbers are equally important, like the number 17. “I was 17 when he was born, so he’s more like my child than my brother.”
Yancy is proud of her younger brother and spoke glowingly while showing off photo albums.
“I think everyone needs to know about him and know what he’s done,” she said with a smile.
Yancy also assisted Sims with his schoolwork, especially in college.
“He said at his retirement party that I had typed every term paper and everything he needed type-written.”
A star athlete at Glencoe High School from 1978-82, his prowess on the field undeniable.
While steady at the plate (batted over .400 playing shortstop and third base), pitching was his forte. Sims won over 20 games, played an intricate role on the 1980 and 82 Etowah County Championship teams, and was selected as an East-West All-Star in 1982.
“My favorite pitcher was Tom Seaver,” Sims said. Looking at photos of Sims in his windup, I saw that his leg kick and dragging of his back leg were carbon copies of Seaver.
After high school, Sims earned a scholarship to Gadsden State under the guidance of Bobby Browning and Bill Lockridge.
Sims continued his college career at Samford, where he earned a scholarship. He holds the school record for most complete games in a career (18) and faced eventual superstars Deion Sanders and Bo Jackson.
“Bo and I are the same age, and he hit one to right field that still hasn’t come down,” he said.
In his junior season, Sims defeated top-ranked Florida State, who boasted eventual MLB infielder Luis Alicea.
“Florida State was a very disciplined team who would make you work,” Sims said.
He continued, “Joey Sims was the pitcher of record, but I told my teammate everyone in his room contributed to us winning this game.”
Sims spoke with reverence, remembering the details.
“Our centerfielder, Robby Parker, hit a three-run homer to give us the lead and made a running catch with runners on base in the seventh. Ed Banks and David Vaughn also made great defensive plays.”
After college, Sims worked as a graduate assistant at Jacksonville State under Rudy Abbott.
“People thought I was crazy because I had a scholarship from Vanderbilt as a graduate assistant but chose to learn under Coach Abbott, but he opened so many doors for me in my career.”
One of the people Sims mentions from his time at Jacksonville State is good friend Mac Siebert, a 36th-round draft choice of the Detroit Tigers in 1989, who became a scout for the Braves, Diamondbacks, and Rays.
Despite his impressive athletic career, Joey’s true legacy lies in his contributions as a teacher, coach, and essential community member. His impact on the lives of his students and the community at large is immeasurable, and his dedication is a source of inspiration for all.
Sims earned a master’s degree in Math from Jacksonville State and a double-A certificate from the University of Alabama. He has taught Math everywhere he has coached.
Sims’ resume includes stops at Newnan High School (1988-89) in Georgia, where he won the 1989 Baseball Region Coach of the Year award, and Saks High School (1990-95), where he coached both baseball and basketball.
Sims came home to Glencoe in 1996 and remained until his retirement this May. Despite his background in baseball, Sims never coached baseball at Glencoe; instead, he coached junior high basketball, tennis, and golf.
Sims also ventured into broadcasting, announcing Glencoe football from 1996 to 2019, and was honored with the Etowah County Announcer Legend Award in 2019.
Throughout all his stops, Sims gets emotional when speaking about everyone who has helped him on his journey.
“My mom and dad were always examples for me; the youth league baseball coach when I became a Christian at 15, he was the first coach I ever played for, and he was a Godly man who prayed for us.”
He’s also quick to mention the source of his identity, as well as his coworkers.
“The ultimate contributor was the Lord and His sacrifice; guys like Wes Weems and Tommy Stanley, they worked across the hall, and we go to church together.”
His friends, family, and colleagues honored him with a retirement party earlier this month. The event was a testament to the impact he has had on the community, with heartfelt speeches, shared memories, and a sense of gratitude for his years of service.
The principal at Glencoe, Wendy Tinker, spoke about his legacy.
“Thank you for your 37 years of dedication as both a teacher and a coach. You’ve not only taught lessons in the classroom and on the field, but you’ve also modeled commitment, patience, and heart along the way.”
She continued, “Your influence goes far beyond the subjects of lives you’ve taught or the teams you’ve coached – it’s in the confidence you’ve inspired, the lives you shaped, and the legacy you leave behind.”
Numbers don’t lie, and the number of people Sims’ example inspires continues to grow.
