Quotes galore

The prodigal beat writer has words from the new hitting coach of the Timber Rattlers (and various others) in today's story.

Appleton's Matt Erickson hopes he's a hit in new job as Timber Rattlers hitting coach

Former Appleton West standout Matt Erickson has been pegged to join the Midwest League club as its hitting coach to complete a 2009 field staff that also includes manager Jeff Isom, pitching coach Chris Hook, trainer Aaron Hoback and strength and conditioning specialist Jake Marx, a Menasha native.

"Obviously, growing up in Appleton, I've watched the Appleton Foxes play and I'm familiar with the administration that runs the Timber Rattlers right now," Erickson said. "I was excited about the news with the Brewers deciding to come to Appleton, and now that I get to be part of that, it's definitely a win-win situation."

...

"This is good for a bunch of reasons," Rattlers president Rob Zerjav said. "Matt, being a local guy, is a neat story for him and us. But on top of it, he and I have a good relationship and to know one of the coaches personally definitely helps with the familiarity of everything. It makes for an even smoother transition."

Added Brewers director of player development Reid Nichols: "We weren't going to hire someone just because he was from Appleton. He brings a lot to the table. He's a student of the game. He comes from a baseball family. It's just the intangibles I feel he brings.

Oh, and the new Triple A Coach of the Brewers has some local ties as well:

Milwaukee also announced former big league hurler and Combined Locks resident Chris Bosio will serve as the pitching coach at its Triple-A affiliate in Nashville, Tenn.

...

"I'm very excited for the opportunity to be working with the Brewers' Triple-A club and helping the club I signed with in 1982," Bosio said. "They have a number of very good-looking prospects, not only position-wise but with the pitchers, too.

"My job is to get guys ready for the big league club. That's my challenge, and I'm looking forward to it."

New to the team

The Timber Rattlers and Brewers made the announcement today. The manager and coaching staff for the 2009 Timber Rattlers are set.

The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers along with the Milwaukee Brewers are proud to announce the coaching staff for the upcoming 2009 season. The Rattlers will be led by field manager Jeff Isom, pitching coach Chris Hook, hitting coach Matt Erickson, athletic trainer Aaron Hoback and strength & conditioning specialist Jake Marx.

The name that jumps off the page to baseball fans in the the Fox Cities is Matt Erickson.

Matt Erickson, a native of Appleton, enters his first coaching position with the Milwaukee Brewers as the hitting coach for the Timber Rattlers. As an infielder, Erickson played 11 professional seasons (1997-2007) and made his Major League debut with the Brewers in 2004.

There is another Fox Cities native on the staff:

Marx graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and enters his fourth season with the Brewers. Marx is a '01 graduate of Menasha High School.

Now to the manager:

Field manager Jeff Isom enters his third season with the Milwaukee Brewers and was the manager of the class A West Virginia Power for the '07 & '08 seasons. Before joining the Brewers, Isom spent time managing in the independent leagues with the Traverse City Beach Bums ('06), Joliet Jackhammers ('04-'05), Washington Wild Things ('02-'03) and the Canton Crocodiles ('00-'01).

But, I remember Isom from his playing days...for Fargo-Moorhead in the Northern League. I knew that those old media guides that I've been lugging around or the last 10 years would come in handy. Click on the images for the larger images...






That bottom part is from the 1997 Media Guide. It has these nuggets under Personal: Favorite song is Peter, Paul & Mary's If I Had a Hammer; Favorite TV Show: Beyond 2000; Last Book Read: The Medical Dictionary; Favorite Movie: The Texas Chainsaw Massacre.

By the way, I prefer this version of If I Had a Hammer: