Roosters at McBride for the first 3 of the last 9 games at home
August 25, 2005 - Frontier League (FL)
Richmond Roosters News Release
The Roosters return home to take on the Washington Wild Things for three games. This will be the first of three series that make up the last nine games at home for the Roosters. Don't miss your opportunity to come out and see your Richmond Roosters as the eleven year Frontier League history comes to an end in Richmond.
Thursday, August 25th - (GAME STARTS AT 6:35 PM, GATES OPEN 5:35 PM) Survivor Night at ballpark. Based on the reality television show, contestants will be participating in contests between innings and fans will vote them off until a Survivor Champion is crowned in the end. It is also Richmond Friends School Night. Friday, August 26th - (GAME STARTS AT 6:35 PM, GATES OPEN 5:35 PM) Air Force Night. There will be Air Force vehicles on the concourse and giveaways courtesy of the Air Force recruitment center. It is also Budweiser Night with a chance to win great prizes. Saturday, August 27th - (GAME STARTS AT 6:35 PM, GATES OPEN 5:35 PM) Ivy Tech Night sponsored by the Alumni Association. Discount tickets available at the Ivy Tech Admissions Office. Ivy Tech alumni will be recognized at McBride Stadium.
Q&A with Former Richmond Roosters Field Manager/Player Fran Riordan Starting as a player with the Richmond Roosters in 1997, Fran Riordan's career evolved to his role as a player/manager during the 2001 and 2002 Frontier League Championships captured by the Roosters. Fran is currently Field Manager of the Kalamazoo Kings and we were able to catch up with him recently as the Kings made their last visit to McBride Stadium.
Q: What do you remember about your time here in Richmond? A: I remember the championships first of all. I started my career in 1997 with the Roosters and I really cut my teeth with the team. I began as a back up, but was eventually able to come back as a player and a manager. We really had some great teams back then with guys who knew how to play and knew how to win. We had the feeling that we were going to win every night. Q: What was it like to play with someone like Morgan Burkhart who was somewhat considered the "Babe Ruth" of the Frontier League? A: It was amazing to watch him every night. Just to watch him hit, watch him play, watch him prepare for a game was amazing. He exploited every single weakness every pitcher in this league ever had. It wasn't that he was maybe the greatest player that this league has ever seen; he is definitely the greatest player this league has ever seen. The things he taught me and friendship that we share is something that has meant a lot to me and my career. Q: Was he a guy that you could just look at and say that he could be playing in the major leagues? A: When we were together in 1998, he put up the best statistics ever for a Frontier League player. I'm watching this guy play every night and I'm wondering, "What is this guy doing here?" He opened up the flood gates for other Frontier League players when he was signed by the Red Sox. Q: Was it difficult to be a player/manager or did it help the teams you were on? A: It was a little bit of both. I thought I would have to do a lot more managerial things at first, but once I took care of that I turned into a ball player at game time. I was lucky to have a guy like Chris Mongiardo who shared my philosophies. I had complete confidence in him and that he would do the things we needed to do to win. Q: Neither of the championship teams finished in first but were very dominant in the playoffs. Why were the teams better in the playoffs? A: We were that team that was always dirty and fought for every hit and out and even though we were the wild card team both years, our guys stepped up their games in the postseason against the better teams. We cherished the role of underdog and once the playoffs started, we went after it. Q: You once had to substitute a pitcher into who was cold and hadn't warmed up correct? A: Yeah, we were in game three of the championship series, in the ninth inning against Chillicothe. I made a visit to the mound for 10 seconds just to talk to the pitcher and four or five pitches later, Mong comes out with my back turned and made another visit to the mound. He didn't realize that I had gone to the mound and we ended up having to substitute a cold pitcher, but it worked out for us anyway. Q: A lot of people still talk about the time you hit bases umpire, Tim Johnson with a line drive. They say it was the hardest hit ball they've ever seen. It had to be a scary moment. A: I think it was the hardest ball I'd ever hit. It was like it happened in slow motion. He didn't have any time to react and he fell to the ground just as soon as I hit it. It was something I would never wish on anyone. Q: Your number is now retired at McBride Stadium, along with Burkhart and Chad Sosebee. What does that mean to you? A: It means a lot to me. Morgan was my mentor and to be able to be up there with him and Chad is really a special thing. Q: There are a lot of hardcore fans of the Richmond Roosters. They are very passionate about the team. How do you think this being the final season for the Roosters will affect them and yourself? A: I've talked to some fans in the last couple of days and you can really see it in their eyes that they are going to miss the Roosters being in town. It's upsetting to them, upsetting to me, and I really feel sorry for the hardcore fans that have been with the team through the good times and the bad.
Probable Starting Pitchers Roosters vs. Wild Things Thursday: RHP Mike Cervera (1-1, 5.04 ERA) vs. RHP Brendon Davis (7-1 4.41 ERA)
Friday: RHP Pat Kohorst (0-1 3.60 ERA) vs. LHP J.D. Cockroft (4-4 5.06 ERA)
Saturday: RHP Tony Casoli (7-5 4.05 ERA) vs. RHP Ryan Douglass (11-3 3.24 ERA)
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- Roosters at McBride for the first 3 of the last 9 games at home - Richmond Roosters
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