Veteran Capahas Manager, Jess Bolen, dies, age 82

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. — Jess Bolen, who managed the Capahas for nearly 50 years, has died at the age of 82.

A former Capahas player, Bolen retired as manager in 2016, leaving behind a legacy.

The Capaha Park grounds symbolize baseball nostalgia as many fans have memories that include Jess Bolen. 

Family and friends shared their favorite memories saying that Bolen leaves behind a lasting legacy. 

“I want people to remember the other years,” said Jess Bolen.

That was Jess Bolen when we interviewed him in June discussing 50 years of baseball memories with the Cape Capahas. 

Jess was a baseball legend, Radio Announcer, Capaha Manager, Husband and Father of four. He passed away in his sleep Sunday night, he was 82. 

“He always emphasized, especially at the end of his radio show, to be kind to someone,” said Thomas Bolen.

In a phone interview, Thomas Bolen shared treasured memories of Dad saying that he emphasized life wasn’t about sports or how good you were but rather the way you treat others and the mark you leave behind. 

“It doesn’t cost anything. Smile at someone at the gas pump and say hello and he truly believed that his entire life, that it doesn’t cost you anything to be kind,” said Bolen. 

He said one thing his kids and players will always remember is that Jess lived off the three F’s in life. 

“He spoke quite often about the foundation, faith, family, and friends. And he was truly led by that,” said Bolen. 

A former Capaha player that Jess coached was Denver Stuckey. Stuckey remembered first hearing Jess’s voice as a radio announcer at SEMO when Stuckey was a sophomore. 

“Radio announcer at SEMO. And, you know, growing up there, I’d heard about the Capahas, but just got to know him through baseball and playing for him, and, you know, just, you know, couldn’t ask for a more first-class human being,” said Stuckey

Stuckey remembers every player on the team giving their all for Coach Bolen no better feeling than to make him proud. He says that’s true of every player that wore that Capaha jersey. 

“Jess, I think a lot of us, especially those of us that played, you know, Division one baseball, we came off playing for very, very motivating coaches and in a very high-pressure type situation. And he was such a calming figure, in such a relaxed environment. And the best compliment I can give him is he always made us feel better about ourselves, always made us think we were better than we were. You just didn’t want to disappoint him. He was just such a good guy. And, you know, thought the world of all of us players. And we just wanted to do so well for him,” said Stuckey. 

As for his son who took over the Capaha team after his dad retired, he always noticed the impact his dad had on every player he coached. Saying that his father’s legacy lived on with an impact hard to put into words. 

“He witnessed it in all of his ballplayers and all after ten years they would come back and see him and mom in all the memories that were created just by playing a kids game of baseball,” said Bolen.

We will keep you updated on any arrangements to honor Jess Bolen.

Related links- Longtime Capahas manager talks about legacy of the team – KBSI Fox 23 Cape Girardeau News | Paducah News