Bogar returns to Astros Former shortstop to manage new rookie affiliate By Alyson Footer / MLB.com http://houston.astros.mlb.com/NASAp...nt_id=626688&vkey=news_hou&fext=.jsp&c_id=hou Tim Bogar stopped by the Astros clubhouse last spring as a representative of Rawlings. (Alyson Footer/MLB.com) HOUSTON -- The Houston Astros have a rather extensive list of former players who are currently on the payroll in a variety of roles, from coaches to instructors to broadcasters. On Friday, the club announced that another Astros alum -- shortstop Tim Bogar -- has been named the first manager of their brand new Rookie League affiliate in Greeneville, Tenn. Bogar, the Astros' shortstop from 1997-2000, was named skipper of the Greeneville Astros, who replace the Martinsville club in the Astros' minor league system. Bogar helped lead the Astros to three consecutive National League Central titles from 1997-99 and after leaving the Astros following the 2000 season, played one more season for the Dodgers before retiring in 2002. Bogar, who broke into the Majors with the Mets in 1993, spent the last year as a Midwest pro representative for the Rawlings Sporting Goods Co. but approached assistant general manager Tim Purpura last summer about possibly returning to baseball in a coaching capacity. "We looked at this (move to Greeneville) as an opportunity," Purpura said. "We're in a new situation, a new venue and a lot of good things were happening. We thought he'd be a good candidate to manage the team. "His communication skills are excellent. We know him so well from his playing days. He gave the game everything he had. He has very good teaching skills, and he'll be a good teacher for our first-year players." Jack Billingham will serve as Greeneville's pitching coach and Pete Rancont returns to the Astros as a coach on the staff. John Patton has been named the club's athletic trainer. The Astros also introduced Greeneville's front office, which includes general manager Lynsi House, assistant general manager Omar Roque and account executive John Doyle. When the Greeneville Astros open the 2004 season, they will begin play in a temporary stadium that will be the future home to a new 2,400-seat baseball stadium on the Tusculum College campus. Set for completion in June 2005, the $5 million ballpark, designed by architect John Fisher of Fisher + Associates, will feature covered seating areas, built-in concession stands and restrooms, and clubhouses for both the home and visiting teams. The complex will be shared with the Tusculum College baseball team. The facility is a major upgrade from Martinsville. "The lease (in Martinsville) ended this year," Purpura said. "And we're continuing what we've been trying to do in the last several years -- find the best venues for the players to play in. This is a tremendous facility." The Astros also announced that Charlie Norton, formerly Martinsville's GM, will join the Astros' scouting department as an administrative assistant. Prior to his two-year stint in Martinsville, Norton spent two seasons with the Mobile BayBears, the Southern League Double-A affliliate of the San Diego Padres. Norton fills the position vacated by Traci Dearing, who is now the executive assistant for Major League operations
Tim Bogar is a class act and a welcomed addition to the Astros imo. Now he can quit his job as a traveling bat salesman.
That must have been a huge piece of shi'ite stadium if built in concession stands and restrooms is an upgrade. Did people go down to the front row and piss on the field between innings?
A-Train, you've obviously never been to a rookie league game in BFE...running water would be an improvement in most of those parks.
