Wrongfully Convicted Man Back With White Sox After 23 Years

CHICAGO, IL - A man who spent 23 years in prison for a crime he did not commit returned to his job this week. Nevest Coleman was back at the ballpark on the South Side as a groundskeeper for the Chicago White Sox Monday as the crew at Guaranteed Rate Field prepares for Opening Day next week.

Coleman first worked for the White Sox in 1994, the year he was arrested and charged with a rape and murder that occurred in Englewood. He was convicted of the crime in 1997, only to be exonerated 20 years later when DNA evidence proved his innocence.

The whole time he was behind bars, he dreamed that one day he would be back with the team. He got the chance Monday. Several media outlets, including the Chicago Tribune, were on hand as he shared his story.

“His first wish, before he wished for a hamburger, was to work for the White Sox,” Richard Coleman, Nevest's cousin, told the Tribune.

Coleman's boss, the legendary head groundskeeper Roger "The Sodfather" Bossard, embraced him with a quick hug before it was back to work.

“I saved your spot for you,” Bossard said. “I knew you’d be back.”

Coleman's case was taken up by the Innocence Project years ago. He was officially exonerated in November and released from prison that month.

“We’re grateful that after more than two decades, justice has been carried out for Nevest,” the White Sox said in a statement. “It has been a long time, but we’re thrilled that we have the opportunity to welcome him back to the White Sox family. We’re looking forward to having Nevest back on Opening Day at home in our ballpark.”

Even before members of the media left, Coleman was spotted outside the stadium in his groundskeeper uniform power washing the area near Gate 4.

Photo courtesy of the Chicago White Sox