Brad was the pitching coach for the Timber Rattlers from 2002-2005. He is currently the pitching coach of the Altoona Curve, the Eastern League affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates.
This article from the Altoona Mirror is a month old, but it is all-Brad.
Off to a flying start
Holman goes from fixing planes to fixing pitchers
Don't go in too deep, Tim. You'll wind up singing harmony on Aime by Pure Prairie League. But, I kid, Brad.
Brad Holman made it up to the big leagues with the Mariners in 1993, and while pitching in the minor leagues he spent his offseasons working in construction and framing houses. He retired from the game in 1996 and landed an impressive job as an aircraft mechanic for Boeing.
‘‘I put the skins on the ground section of the 737 cab and [did] a lot of drilling, countersinking, riveting,’’ Holman said. ‘‘It’s an aerodynamic part of the plane.
‘‘My credentials were basically I was always working in the construction industry, and I had a comfort with tools. But the most enticing thing for them was the baseball and teamwork skills that I had through baseball. At Boeing, they have shops that are compiled for 15-20 people, so it operates as a team.’’
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Holman spent the past six seasons working in the Mariners’ system, including the past two in Double-A. The Pirates hired him in the offseason, and he’s replacing Ray Searage, who spent the past two seasons with the Curve before moving to Triple-A Indianapolis this year.
Altoona manager Tim Leiper said he was ‘‘probably a little bit standoffish’’ with his new pitching coach early on in spring training as the two men were feeling each other out.
‘‘He’s got some big shoes to fill,’’ Leiper said. ‘‘Coming in to replace Ray — and I’m great friends with Ray to this second and he’s a tough guy to replace — but Brad is awesome.
‘‘Our communication during the game is fantastic. What I like about him is he’s a strong personality, and he’s not afraid to say stuff. I had to tell him to shut up a couple times [Friday night], so maybe he’s a little bit too strong. But I like him. I like him as a person, I like the way he’s thinking.’’
The Curve are currently 7th in the Eastern League in ERA at 4.56.
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