Redcoats march on McBride to meet Roosters

August 9, 2005 - Frontier League (FL)
Richmond Roosters News Release


The Ohio Valley Redcoats come into McBride on Tuesday for three against the Roosters. Check out all the fun scheduled for this homestand:

Tuesday, August 9th - (GAME STARTS AT 6:35 PM, GATES OPEN 5:35 PM)

Come enjoy the first game of the series against the Ohio Valley Redcoats for a Mardi Gras Celebration. Beads will be given out to all fans entering the ballpark. It is also Lingle Real Estate Community Night.

Wednesday, August 10th - (GAME STARTS AT 6:35 PM, GATES OPEN 5:35 PM)

Bank One presents Baseball Card Collector's Strip #4 of 6. Fans will receive a card strip with four Roosters players. Infielders Joe Rhomberg and Mike Bidwell and pitchers Kris Regas and Dan Caldwell will be on the card strip.

Thursday, August 11th - (GAME STARTS AT 6:35 PM, GATES OPEN 5:35 PM)

Subway presents another Baseball Card Collector's Strip #5 of 6 Night. The card strip will include Roosters players Gerald Miller, O.J. Garza, Nate Gravely and Adam Varteressian. Tonight is also Greenville (OH) City Schools Night. Enjoy Good Samaritan Night by bringing a canned food item to the ballpark.

ROOSTERS ADD "SUPER" JOE TO COACHING STAFF

Former Cleveland Indians standout joins Richmond for stretch run

The Roosters announced the hiring of Joe Charboneau as a coach for the remainder of the 2005 season. Charboneau is making his forth stop in the Frontier League after coaching stints with Canton, Washington, and Windy City.

"We are very exciting to have Joe Charboneau." said Roosters General Manager Deanna Beaman, "We feel this will increase our chances at a playoff run and another Frontier League Championship."

Charboneau brings an impressive baseball resume with him, including three seasons playing in the Major Leagues. The 1980 American League "Rookie of The Year" hit .289 with 23 HR and 87 RBI for the Cleveland Indians. He became known as "Super" Joe and quickly earned a spot as a fan favorite in Cleveland after that season.

"I love Frontier League baseball, these are great guys and it's going to be fun to be around them." said Charboneau, " I just want to help Mong (Roosters Manager Chris Mongiardo) in any way that he sees fit."

According to Mongiardo, Charboneau will serve as the bench coach during games and work mostly as a hitting instructor. The Roosters 2005 regular season continues through September 5th with post-season play starting September 7th.

Q&A with Gerald Miller

Gerald is in his first season with the Roosters. He was drafted by the Chicago Cubs organization but was released do to an injury. He is now trying to work his way back to affiliated ball by batting in the leadoff spot for Richmond.

Q: The official roster says that your hometown is Denver, Colorado, but where are you from originally?

A: I was born in Little Rock, Arkansas and moved to Denver when I was about four years old.

Q: How do you like the thin Rocky Mountain air?

A: Its definitely going to be an adjustment when I go home after the season. It is so hard to breathe there. Its different from anywhere else.

Q: You were picked up the Cubs organization but played only four games before getting hurt. What happened?

A: I dove for a ball during a game and hurt my knee. It was swollen I was in some pain. Eventually I had to see the doctors and I was told I had a small tear in my patella tendon. It was okay, but I had to stay off of it for the summer if it was going to get better. By the time I was fully healthy, they let me go. I didn't even get to prove anything before I was gone.

Q: How did you make it to the Roosters?

A: I tried out for the Northern League and played at Sioux City, but eventually I got a call from Mong saying that he wanted me to come and play for the Roosters. He said I was going to get a shot to play everyday, so here I am.

Q: You were injured for part of this year with the Roosters. How bad did you feel that you couldn't help contribute to the team?

A: It was very frustrating. Baseball isn't a sport where you can have immediate success. You have to have at-bats, see pitches and get your repetitions in. I knew that after being hurt, it was going to take some time to start playing well.

Q: Since coming off the injury you have found a home in the leadoff spot. Do you like leading off?

A: I've bounced around the lineup this season but I feel like I can be a good leadoff guy. I can hit doubles and hit the ball to the gaps. I can play small ball because I don't look to hit home runs but just make solid contact. If I can help the team the most by leading off, then that's where I'll be.

Q: How has the atmosphere in the clubhouse changed since the team has started to win?

A: We have a lot more swagger now and more confidence. We know we can play with any team in the league. We have made mistakes in the past and hurt ourselves, but we feel we can go out and compete and win games.

Q: I ask this question to just about everybody, but where is your favorite place to eat on the road?

A: Has to be Applebee's. I love to go there after the game and get the Bourbon Street Steak. Its the best thing to eat. That's definitely where I go if I get to choose.

Probable Starting Pitchers:

Roosters vs. Ohio Valley

RHP Tony Casoli (7-2, 3.41 ERA) vs. RHP Robby Read (2-4, 5.57 ERA)

LHP Matt Schweitzer (6-5, 3.35 ERA) vs. Ryan Childs (4-5, 5.32 ERA)

RHP Danny Bonilla (0-0, 3.60 ERA) vs. RHP Luke Adkins (4-6, 434 ERA)



Frontier League Stories from August 9, 2005


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