Saltdogs Name New Hitting Coach
Published on May 1, 2008 under American Association (AA)
Lincoln Saltdogs News Release
LINCOLN, NEB. - With the 2008 season just around the corner, the Lincoln Saltdogs rounded out their coaching staff, naming Pete LaCock as hitting coach and third base coach. The former major league first baseman/outfielder will return to the American Association, after spending the 2007 campaign as the hitting coach for the now-defunct St. Joseph Blacksnakes.
"Pete brings a wealth of experience to the table, both as a former big-league player and as a coach and manager in the minor leagues," said Saltdogs Manager Tim Johnson. "We played in the majors at the same time, and he was always a professional hitter. He'll have a big impact on our hitters this year."
LaCock broke into the major leagues in 1972 with the Chicago Cubs, and played in the Windy City through 1976 before being dealt to Kansas City. He finished his nine-year career as a player in 1980 with the Royals, making a brief appearance in the 1980 World Series. Known as a contact hitter and an outstanding fielder, Pete posted a .991 fielding percentage in 447 career games at first base.
After his playing days ended, LaCock worked as a roving minor-league instructor for the St. Louis Cardinals, then made his way to the independent ranks as a coach. He earned a brief chance as a manager in 2003, taking the helm of the Niagara Stars in the short-lived Canadian Baseball League. Pete's stint in 2007 as the hitting coach of the St. Joseph Blacksnakes was also shortened, as the team was disbanded after the season.
A California native, LaCock can claim some famous family members. His father is Peter Marshall, the longtime host of the hit TV game show "Hollywood Squares." His aunt, actress Joanne Dru, starred in several popular Western movies in the late 1940s, including "Red River" and "She Wore a Yellow Ribbon." Her co-star in those movies was John Wayne.
With the Saltdogs coaching staff, LaCock joins Jim Haller, who moves up to pitching coach this year after serving three years as assistant pitching coach; and Mike Workman, who enters his sixth season as Lincoln's first base coach.
American Association Stories from May 1, 2008
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- Saltdogs Name New Hitting Coach - Lincoln Saltdogs
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