truebluefan

Mr. October Headed to Round Rock

ROUND ROCK - One of baseball's most feared post-season sluggers will headline the 2008 Round Rock Express Winter Baseball Banquet, sponsored by the Austin American Statesman, on Wednesday, Feb. 6 at the United Heritage Center.

Hall of Famer Reggie Jackson, better known as Mr. October, will speak at the eighth annual ceremony which benefits Round Rock Sertoma and recognizes the 2008 High School All-Star Team, Collegiate Pitcher and Player of the Year, Express Pitcher and Player of the Year, Professional Player of the Year, the James Keller Award recipient and the Jackie Moore Lifetime Achievement Award winner.

"It's an honor having a player like Reggie Jackson in Round Rock," said Express owner and C.E.O. Reid Ryan. "His accomplishments on the field and his dedication to the game are a great testament to who he is and a positive example to the players of today and tomorrow."

This year's banquet begins at 6:00 p.m. Tickets are $75 and are available through the Round Rock Express website (Official Site of the Round Rock Express) or by contacting Director of Special Events, Laura Whatley, at (512) 238-2210.

Jackson, 61, batted .262 with 563 homeruns, 1,551 runs scored and 1,702 RBI over 21 Major League seasons. He blasted 20 or more homeruns in 16 seasons, including 13 straight between 1968-1980.

The 14-time all-star was voted the American League's Most Valuable Player in 1973, the same year he first won the World Series Most Valuable Player with the Oakland Athletics. He again picked up the award in 1977 when he hammered out five homers in 20 World Series at-bats for the New York Yankees.

"He was a tremendous hitter," said Round Rock principal owner and Hall of Fame pitcher Nolan Ryan. "Reggie was one of my favorite hitters to face because it was always an exciting match-up."

In 81 plate appearances against Ryan between 1972-1979, Jackson collected 13 hits, drew 18 walks and struck out 22 times. He said of Ryan: "You [didn't] face him without rest. He's the only guy I [went] against that [made] me go to bed before midnight."

Winners featured in the 8th Annual Round Rock Express Winter Baseball Banquet were chosen through a selection process that includes polling from high school coaches, the Round Rock Express and the Austin American Statesman.

__________________
UFC 86: JACKSON vs. GRIFFIN July 5
Wimbledon Women's Tennis
Wimbledon Men's Tennis
Many PGA tourneys this week, starting Thursday
Ricardo Torres vs Kendal Holt July 5
Free agency begins in NHL July 1
Tri Nations Rugby begins July 6-Sept 15
ILF U-19 World Championship July 3-12

truebluefan

Chiefs Coaching Staff Remains Intact For 2008

SYRACUSE (NY) - The Syracuse Chiefs announced today that Doug Davis will return for a second season as manager of the team. Davis led the Chiefs to a 64-80 record, and a fifth place finish, last year. Returning to the staff will be pitching coach Rick Langford, hitting coach Al LeBoeuf and trainer Jon Woodworth.

"We are happy to have this coaching staff return for a second season," said Chiefs General Manager John Simone. "With the experience Doug gained last year, as a first time Triple-A manager, and the fact that he works well with Rick Langford and Al LeBoeuf, we're looking forward to a successful year."

Davis joined the Toronto Blue Jays organization in 2006 and managed the Double-A affiliate in Manchester, NH. He has also been a manager, or coach, in the minor leagues for the Angels, Mets, Expos and Marlins. With the Mets, he managed Pittsfield to the New York-Penn League Championship in 1997 and guided Columbia to the South Atlantic League title the following year. Davis was also named 1998 Minor League Manager of the Year, by the Sporting News. In addition to his minor league experience, Doug served as bench coach for the Florida Marlins, under Jack McKeon, when they won the World Series in 2003.

Rick Langford will serve as the pitching coach of the Chiefs for a sixth season. During his time in Syracuse he's helped to mentor former Cy Young Award winner Roy Hallady and was an important part of the development of current Blue Jays pitchers Dustin McGowan and Shawn Marcum.

Al LeBoeuf will return for a second season as the Chiefs hitting coach. He joined the Blue Jays organization last year after working with the Phillies, Mets and Royals. LeBoeuf has worked with several major league standouts including Scott Rolen, Pat Burrell and David Wright.

Jon Woodworth will begin his 12th consecutive season with the Chiefs and 16th overall in Syracuse. "Woody" has twice been named International League Trainer of the Year, in 1999 and 2003.

The Chiefs open the 2008 season on Thursday, April 3 against the Louisville Bats, at Alliance Bank Stadium, beginning at 2:00 PM. Season ticket packages are now on sale by calling (315) 474-7833 or by visiting the Chiefs' office at Alliance Bank Stadium. For more information, call the Chiefs or visit Syracuse Chiefs: Home.

__________________
UFC 86: JACKSON vs. GRIFFIN July 5
Wimbledon Women's Tennis
Wimbledon Men's Tennis
Many PGA tourneys this week, starting Thursday
Ricardo Torres vs Kendal Holt July 5
Free agency begins in NHL July 1
Tri Nations Rugby begins July 6-Sept 15
ILF U-19 World Championship July 3-12

truebluefan

Jewett Set For Fourth Season In Indianapolis

INDIANAPOLIS -- Manager Trent Jewett will lead the Indianapolis Indians for a fourth consecutive season, while Hitting Coach Hensley "Bam Bam" Meulens, Trainer Jose Ministral and Strength & Conditioning Coach Mubarak Malik also return to the Tribe's 2008 field staff.

"Trent has done a great job of leading us over the past three years, and we are very fortunate to have him back," Indians Vice President & General Manager Cal Burleson says. "With Trent, we have registered more wins for our fans than we would have under different leadership. He has the complete respect of the players, and they respond very well to his very aggressive style of managing.

"Hensley is an outstanding hitting coach and a great asset to the Pittsburgh Pirates organization. We are also pleased to have Jose back as our trainer and Mubarak back as our strength & conditioning coach."

The lone newcomer to the 2008 field staff is Pitching Coach Ray Searage, who spent the past two seasons in the same capacity for Double-A Altoona (Pa.). Searage replaces Jeff Andrews, who became the Pittsburgh Pirates pitching coach in late November.

"It's great to see Jeff receive an opportunity at the Major League level," Burleson adds. "Many of the bright young stars on Pittsburgh's staff developed under his tutelage, and this will be a great opportunity for Jeff to work with those pitchers once again.

"We are also pleased to have Ray join our field staff in Indianapolis. He has over 30 years of professional baseball experience, and comes highly recommended by Pirates Director of Player Development Kyle Stark."

Over 30 of Jewett's players have received big league promotions during the past three years. Former Indianapolis pitchers Zach Duke, Tom Gorzelanny, Paul Maholm and Ian Snell are expected to be in the Pirates' 2008 starting rotation. Former Tribe position players Jose Bautista, Ryan Doumit, Nate McLouth and Ronny Paulino are also expected to make Pittsburgh's Opening Day roster.

Jewett owns a 224-205 regular-season mark in three seasons with the Indians. In 2007, the 43-year-old picked up his 200th victory in Indianapolis on July 1 and his 900th win as a Minor League manager on July 15.

Jewett, who was honored by Baseball America as the International League's "Best Manager Prospect" in 2007, also became the first Tribe skipper to have his own blog on IndyStar.com | Wednesday,*January*16,*2008 | Indianapolis, IN.

Indianapolis earned a share of the IL's West Division crown under Jewett in 2006, while his leadership helped the Indians to the IL's Governors' Cup Finals in 2005. Jewett posted a 154-132 record during those first two years, which marked the Tribe's first back-to-back winning seasons since 1999-2000.

Jewett became the 57th manager in franchise history prior to the 2005 campaign. The 2008 season will represent his 11th as a Triple-A manager and his 17th as an instructor in Pittsburgh's organization.

Ministral enters his 11th campaign in the Pirates farm system and his third year in Indianapolis. The 33-year-old previously worked with Rookie-League Bradenton (Fla.), Short-Season Williamsport (Pa.), High-A Lynchburg (Va.) and Triple-A Nashville (Tenn.).

Malik enters his fourth season in the Bucs chain and his third year in Indianapolis. The 25-year-old worked with Low-A Hickory (N.C.) in 2005 after joining the organization from the college ranks.

The 40-year-old Meulens begins his fourth season working with Pittsburgh farmhands. He has tutored eight of 16 position players on the Pirates' 40-man roster -- Bautista, Doumit, McLouth, Morgan, Paulino, Brian Bixler, Chris Duffy and Steven Pearce.

The 52-year-old Searage enters his sixth year as an instructor in the Pirates organization. He has guided nine of 24 pitchers on the Bucs' 40-man roster -- Gorzelanny, Maholm, Olivo Astacio, Ronald Belisario, Matt Capps, Dave Davidson, Yoslan Herrera, Luis Munoz and Romulo Sanchez.

Indianapolis will entertain Norfolk in its 2008 home opener on Friday, April 11. Season ticket packages can be purchased on-line @ Indianapolis Indians: Home or by calling the Victory Field Box Office at 317-269-3545 ext. 258.

__________________
UFC 86: JACKSON vs. GRIFFIN July 5
Wimbledon Women's Tennis
Wimbledon Men's Tennis
Many PGA tourneys this week, starting Thursday
Ricardo Torres vs Kendal Holt July 5
Free agency begins in NHL July 1
Tri Nations Rugby begins July 6-Sept 15
ILF U-19 World Championship July 3-12