Spike Owen Named to Express Staff
Published on March 22, 2002 under Pacific Coast League (PCL1)
Round Rock Express News Release
OWEN NEW EXPRESS COACH - The Houston Astros announced yesterday that former 13-year Major League veteran Spike Owen has been named as a coach on the Double A Round Rock Express coaching staff. A former University of Texas standout, Owen had served as a color commentator on Express radio broadcasts during the last two seasons. Owen will help with the Express' new core of middle infielders and also serve as a bench coach.
“Spike’s been a great friend to the organization,” said Express General Manager Jay Miller. “He’s been with us since the beginning, first helping out with community relations, then to broadcasting and now on the field. We couldn’t be any happier for him,” Miller added.
Owen hit .246 (1211x4930) with 46 home runs and 439 RBI in his big league playing career, including a .310 finish in 1994 with the California Angels. He drove in a career-high 48 runs with Boston in 1987 and played for Seattle, Boston, Toronto, Montreal, the Yankees and California during his career.
After his Major League playing career was over, Owen returned to the University of Texas and received his Bachelor of Science degree in Applied Learning and Development with a special emphasis on Sports Management. An avid golfer, Owen and wife Gail live just outside of Austin in Bee Caves, Texas. They have four children: Jacob, Preston, Hannah, and Trent.
EXPRESS PLAYER FEATURE - For the next week leading up to the season Express play-by-play man Mike Capps takes a look at some of the Astros hottest prospects that are expected to come through Round Rock this year.
Mike Nannini, RHP - Another of those smallish (5'11", 190lbs) righthanders, and a product of the Astros prolific '98 draft, Nannini tied for the Astros organization lead in victories (15) for the South Atlantic League champs Lexington Legends in 2001. He led all Astros minor league hurlers with a workhouse 190 innings pitched, while brandishing a stellar strikeouts to walks ratio of almost 5 to 1, while fashioning 4 complete games in his 27 Legends' starts.
Chad Qualls, RHP - A big (6'5", 205lbs)righty, Qualls dominated the Class A Midwest League's hitters in his first professional season for the Michigan Battle Cats. A second round pick in 2000 from the University of Nevada-Reno, Qualls tied Mike Nannini, and Round Rock's Travis Smith with 15 wins; the most in the Astros minor league system. In 26 starts, Qualls pitched three complete games, while logging 162 innings for the Battle Cats.
HOUSTON ASTROS TRY-OUTS- The Houston Astros will conduct three (3) open tryout camps for prospective professional baseball players in 2002. The camps will be held as follows:
Saturday, June 8 The Woodlands High School, The Woodlands, Texas Registration 8:00am - Camp Begins 8:30 am
Saturday, June 15 The Dell Diamond, Round Rock, Texas Registration 8:00 am - Camp Begins 8:30 am
Participants must be at least 16 years of age. No players selected by a Major League team other than the Houston Astros in the 2002 June Free Agent Draft will be eligible to participate in the camp. American Legion players are required to have a letter from their coach or post commander granting permission to attend the camp.
Players must furnish their own uniforms, gloves, and shoes. Bats, balls and catching equipment will be furnished by the Houston Astros. No dressing areas will be available, and players should arrive in uniform and ready to begin the tryout. The club will not be responsible for any lost valuables or personal belongings of the participants.
For further information, please contact Traci Dearing in the Houston Astros scouting department at (713) 259-8921, or visit www.astros.com.
THE ROOKIE- The Austin Film Festival and Texas Film Commission present "The Rookie," Wednesday,March 27 at 7 p.m. at the Paramount Theatre, 713 Congress Avenue, Austin. This special screening of The Rookie, which was partially filmed at The Dell Diamond, will benefit the Austin Film Festival's Kids 'N Film Program and the Texas Film Commission. There will be a special reception at 6:00 pm with cast and crew that are in attendance at the theatre and a "Q & A" will follow the movie! Tickets are on sale at the Paramount Box Office or Star Tickets, 469-SHOW.
General Admission Film only $15, General Admission Film and Reception $25
THE STORY-From the studio that brought audiences "Remember the Titans" comes a motion picture based on a true story about a coach who discovers that it's never too late to try and make your dreams come true. Jim Morris (DENNIS QUAID) never made it of the minor leagues before a shoulder injury ended his pitching career twelve years ago. Now a married-with-children high-school chemistry teacher and baseball coach in Texas, Jim's team makes a deal with him: if they win the district championship, Jim will try out with a major-league organization. The bet proves incentive enough for the team, and they go from worst to first, making it to the state championship for the first time in the history of the school. Jim, forced to live up to his end of the deal, is nearly laughed off the try-out field - until he gets on the mound, where he confounds the scouts (and himself) by clocking successive 98 mph fastballs. Is it possible that h! e could begin a career as a major league pitcher at an age when most players are thinking of retiring? For more information on The Rookie or this special screening go to http://www.austinfilmfestival.com
THE DELL DIAMOND BUSINESS SHOWCASE - The Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce, the Round Rock Express and Clear Channel Communications present The Dell Diamond Business Showcase. Come Network and Visit Company Booths!
The Dell Diamond Business Showcase will give companies a chance to showcase their goods & services to attendees. The evening will include behind the scenes tour of the Dell Diamond, refreshments, live music and of course networking! For more information go to http://www.roundrockexpress.com/content/press/item17024
EXPRESS TRIVIA - Who led the Round Rock Express in Triples last year? Send your answer, along with your name and address to trivia@rrexpress.com. The winner, selected at random, will receive an autographed 3" x 5" Nolan Ryan Card. Last Trivia's winner - Daniel Dore' (Georgetown, TX)
Pacific Coast League Stories from March 22, 2002
- Spike Owen Named to Express Staff - Round Rock Express
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