CalL1 Modesto Nuts

Modesto Nuts Announce 2007 Coaching Staff

Published on January 5, 2007 under California League (CalL1)
Modesto Nuts News Release


The Colorado Rockies have announced the finalized coaching staff for the 2007 Modesto Nuts. The Nuts are proud to announce that longtime college coach Jerry Weinstein will manage the 2007 Modesto Nuts. Hitting coach Dave Hajek will return for his second season with the Nuts along with pitching coach Butch Hughes who is in his third season with the club. Also, joining the Nuts for his second season in Modesto is head trainer Chris Strickland.

Jerry Weinstein will join the Nuts staff after five seasons as an assistant coach at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. While at Cal Poly, Weinstein was in charge of pitchers and catchers. Prior to coaching at Cal Poly, Weinstein served as the Los Angles Dodgers Director of Player Development in 2000 and 2001. Prior to joining the Dodgers staff, Weinstein served 23 seasons as head coach at Sacramento City College, compiling a record of 831-208-12 while guiding the Panthers to 16 conference championships, two co-conference titles, a state title in 1988 and a national crown in 1998. His 831 career wins are the most by any California community college baseball coach and he is a member of the California Community College Baseball Hall of Fame and the Sacramento City College Sports Hall of Fame. In addition to Weinstein's success in Sacramento, he has also served as a coach for the United States Olympic teams in 1992 and 1996. Weinstein has also served as a Minor League Manager for the Cubs, Brewers and Expos during his illustrious career.

Dave Hajek begins his second season as hitting coach for Modesto Nuts. Hajek begins his fourth year in professional coaching after making his coaching debut with the Asheville Tourists in 2004. In 2005 Asheville posted the second-highest batting average in the South Atlantic League with a .274 clip, the highest team average since 1999. A former second baseman, Hajek retired after the 1999 season following a 10-year pro career. Hajek compiled a .301 minor league average with 43 homers and 526 RBI. He briefly played in the Major Leagues with the Astros, playing five games in 1995 and eight games in 1996. He hit .250 in thirteen big league games. In his minor league career, Dave was a three-time Pacific Coast League All-Star.

Butch Hughes enters his third season as pitching coach for the Modesto Nuts in 2007. Hughes has been involved in professional baseball for 22 years and also spent time coaching at the amateur level and overseas. Among his many coaching positions, Hughes managed Reno of the independent Western League from 1996-98, guiding the Chukars to a 148-122 record in three seasons. Butch has served as a minor league pitching coach for the Expos (1995), Cubs (1994), Athletics (1985-87), Giants (1983), Phillies (1982), and Brewers, where he got his start in 1979-80. He has also managed in the Italian Professional League in 1984 and then again in 1991. Hughes is a staple of the local baseball community after spending ten seasons as a head coach at Merced College (1970-80) where he won seven state championships. A former pitcher, Hughes was a Junior College All-American in 1960 at Cerritos College and went on to play four seasons in the Brewers organization.

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