Florence Freedom Pitching Coach Chris Hook heads to Brewers' Organization
Florence, KY - Former major league pitcher Chris Hook, who has been with the Florence Freedom since the franchise began in 2003, is leaving the Frontier League club to join the Milwaukee Brewers' organization as the pitching coach at Class AA Huntsville in the Southern League.
Hook, a Florence resident and a former Northern Kentucky University baseball standout, has served the past two years in the dual role as Pitching Coach and Director of Amateur Baseball with the Freedom. The move to the Brewers will be Hook's first position with an affiliated club of Major League Baseball since his playing career ended in 1998.
"An opportunity to coach at the Double-A level in your first year does not come up that often," Hook said. "To join an organization like the Milwaukee Brewers, which has so much upside and promise, makes this job truly exciting and unique."
Hook has been the Freedom pitching coach in four of the independent league club's five seasons. When current manager Jamie Keefe was hired prior to the 2005 campaign, Hook was named special assistant to the manager. Following Keefe's first year at the helm, Hook returned to his more familiar role of working with the club's pitching staff.
"I want to thank (owner) Clint Brown, Jamie and everyone in the organization for always making me feel like a big part of the Freedom," Hook said. "I will miss seeing the many familiar faces that I see during the summer months and young, hungry players that come through Florence every year."
The Freedom have not named Hook's successor as yet, but Keefe says no matter who takes over, they will have a tough act to follow.
"Chris is one of the finest men I've ever known, and a great friend," Keefe said. "It's certainly going to be strange not having him around the Florence Freedom this season. He's done an unbelievable job with our pitchers the past few years. I know the Brewers are going to be very pleased they've added him to their organization."
The Freedom pieced together a staff of young unproven hurlers that struggled early in the 2006 season. Under Hook's guidance that same staff posted the Frontier League's best team earned-run average over the last month of the season. An injury-plagued 2007 Freedom pitching staff still managed to rank among the league leaders in ERA for much of the year, finishing with a very respectable 4.81 mark.
Hook is very familiar with the challenges minor league players face in their quest to reach the big leagues. Following a successful collegiate career at Northern Kentucky, the Lloyd Memorial High School graduate became one of the few un-drafted free agents to climb all the way to the Major Leagues. After beginning his professional career in the Cincinnati Reds' organization, Hook received what turned out to be a big break in 1994 when he was dealt to the San Francisco Giants along with minor league pitcher Scott Robinson in exchange for minor league outfielder and Cincinnati native Adam Hyzdu.
The 6-foot-5 right-hander made his major league debut with the Giants in 1995, winning his first five decisions. He went on to appear in 45 games that season, all out of the bullpen. Hook also spent part of the 1996 season with the Giants. During his time in a San Francisco uniform, Hook played for current Reds manager Dusty Baker.
Though he experienced big league glory that all baseball players strive for, Hook says the experience of helping bring professional baseball to his hometown is something he'll always cherish. "I have genuinely enjoyed the opportunity to help minor league baseball take root here in Florence," Hook said. "There were many reasons why I chose to stick around during the low times of this organization. One of those reasons was to see the high times like last year's (Frontier League) All-Star Game (hosted by the Freedom at Champion Window Field). It was quite a thrill for me to see this community finally put its arms around this wonderful game."
Chris and his wife, Toni, have two children: Christian (10) and Brennan (5).
Florence Freedom is a member of the Frontier League, a 12-team Independent Professional Baseball League established in 1993. The Freedom play a 96 game schedule with 54 home games between late May and early September.
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Ashley Thompson at the Freedom office by calling (859) 594-4487 x 17 or via email
ashley.thompson@florencefreedom.com. # # #