TL1 Arkansas Travelers

Boykin Back To Lead 2004 Travelers

Published on November 3, 2003 under Texas League (TL1)
Arkansas Travelers News Release


Ray Winder Field, Little Rock, AR - The Anaheim Angels have released the names of the coaching staff for the 2004 Arkansas Travelers. Tyrone Boykin will return to Little Rock for his second season as the Travelers' manager. Boykin, who led the 2003 Travs to their best record since 1998, will be joined on the coaching staff by two new faces and a familiar one. Kernan Ronan will handle the pitching staff while Todd Takayoshi will coach the hitters. Jamie Welch returns to Little Rock for his second season as the Travelers' trainer.

Boykin managed the 2003 Travs to a 70-70 record while handling some of the top prospects in the minor leagues. The 2004 season will be his 14th with the Angels, six as a player and eight as a hitting coach or manager. Boykin began his coaching career as a hitting coach for the 1997 Lake Elsinore Storm (California – Advanced A) before moving to Cedar Rapids (Midwest – A) for the 1998-99 seasons as hitting coach. His first managerial post came with the 2000-01 Cedar Rapids Kernels. He joined the 2002 Travelers staff as hitting coach before taking over as field manager for the 2003 season. Boykin sports a managerial record of 171-220. He lives in Hamden, CT, with his wife, Sharon and their two sons.

"I think it is exciting news that Tyrone is coming back," said Travelers Executive Vice President and General Manager Bill Valentine. "The working relationship between Tyrone and our front office has been the finest in my 27 years with the Travelers."

Boykin was signed as a free agent in 1991 out of Jacksonville (FL) University. In six minor league seasons he hit .255 with 34 home runs and 240 RBI in 513 games. Boykin spent parts of five seasons in the Texas League as a player with the 1993-96 Midland Angels.

"In his return to managing, Tyrone did a solid job," said Angels Director of Player Development Tony Reagins. "When we brought our key prospects up in the end of the season he got them to play how we wanted them to play. He is a quality individual who works hard and understands the organization's philosophies."

Ronan will join the Travelers for his 15th season as a pitching coach in the Angels' farm system. He spent the 2002-03 seasons as the pitching coach for the Provo Angels (Pioneer – Rookie advanced) helping that team to a league-best 92-60 record. Ronan has coached Angels' pitchers at three different levels of the Angels' farm system, including five-and-a-half seasons in the Texas League with the Midland Angels in the mid-1990s. Ronan pitched for five seasons in the San Francisco Giants farm system compiling a 19-33 record in 164 career games. He pitched his final two seasons in Texas League with the 1984-85 Shreveport Captains. Over his tenure with the Angels, Ronan has coached current Major Leaguers Troy Percival, Francisco Rodriguez, Jarrod Washburn, John Lackey, Scot Shields and Ramon Ortiz among others. Ronan lives in Phoenix with his wife, Diane.

"I've always respected Kernan as a baseball man," said Boykin, who played in Midland when Ronan coached there. "When we were in Midland together, I always looked forward to listening to Kernan talk baseball because I always learned something from him."

Takayoshi joins the Travelers staff for his third season as a minor league coach with the Angels. He spent the 2002 season in Cedar Rapids (Midwest – A) and the 2003 season in Rancho Cucamonga (California - Advanced A). A two-time batting champion in the minors, Takayoshi played professionally for six seasons as a catcher, four in the Angels' farm system, and retired after the 1998 season. He carried a lifetime .329 batting average and 44 home runs over his career. Over the past two seasons, Takayoshi coached top prospects Jeff Mathis, Dallas McPherson, Nick Gorneault and Casey Kotchman.

"Todd is a very hard worker," said Boykin about his hitting coach. "He is very involved with his hitters and knows how to work with different types of players."

Takayoshi lives in Spanaway, Washington with his wife, Saori, and their two children.

Welch returns to Little Rock for his second season as the Travs' trainer. Welch has worked for the Angels for five seasons after graduating from the University of Kansas and Cal State-Long Beach. He lives in Alexandria, VA, with his fiancé Lori.

Please call 664-1555 or visit www.travs.com for game information.

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Texas League Stories from November 3, 2003


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