SL1 Montgomery Biscuits

Tocco, Gallant win Southern League awards

Published on September 7, 2006 under Southern League (SL1)
Montgomery Biscuits News Release


Marietta, Ga. -- Montgomery Biscuits broadcaster Jim Tocco was named Southern League Broadcaster of the Year and Matt Gallant was named Best Visiting Clubhouse Attedant today, the Southern League announced.

The broadcasting award was voted upon by the league's broadcasters and general managers; the clubhouse attendant award is voted upon by league field managers and umpires. The Southern League's year-end awards are announced each year at the beginning of the SL Playoffs.

Tocco, an eight-year veteran, is the lead broadcaster for all Biscuits games on the team's radio network and Internet site. Through his career, he has broadcast more than 900 minor league games and 12 Major League games (with the Montreal Expos in 2003 and 2004).

"Receiving this award is particularly overwhelming because it is voted upon by peers and colleagues," Tocco said. "It's most humbling to be honored by the broadcasters and general managers of the league."

Tocco, 30, has been with the Biscuits since their inaugural season in 2004. Prior to that, he worked for the Midwest League Champion Lansing Lugnuts (A - Midwest League) in 2003, the Charleston AlleyCats (A - South Atlantic League) in 2001 and 2002, the Wilmington Blue Rocks (A - Carolina League) in 2000 and the Charleston RiverDogs (A - South Atlantic League) in 1999.

Tocco has worked for Professional Sports Marketing since they purchased the Charleston AlleyCats in the 2001 season. He is a full-time employee and is responsible for a number of marketing duties, including graphic design and website development.

The North Olmsted, Ohio native graduated from Bowling Green State University with a degree in Broadcast Journalism in 1998. He joins current Southern League broadcasters Tom Hart, Curt Bloom, Patrick Kinas and Larry Ward as a winner of the award.

Gallant, a four-year veteran as a visiting clubhouse attendant, has been with the Biscuits since 2005. In 2003 and 2004, he was the visiting clubhouse attendant for the Princeton Devil Rays (Rookie - Appalachian League).

Gallant got his start in baseball as the head baseball coach and equipment manager for Fitchburg State College 1999-2002. The native of Bedford, Mass. graduated from Bridgewater State College in 1999 with a bachelor's degree in Physical Education and a minor in Recreation.

Also receiving awards today were Ryuji Araki (Chattanooga; Trainer of the Year), Ed Attalla (Jacksonville; Groundskeeper of the Year) and Doug Segrest (Birmingham; Sportswriter of the Year).

The Biscuits begin their first ever postseason appearance tonight with a 6:05 CST game against the Jacksonville Suns. Game 1 of the best-of-five Southern League Divisional Championship Series features Montgomery's Jeff Niemann against the Suns' Spike Lundberg. Tocco and broadcast partner Jesse Goldberg-Strassler can be heard calling the action on Newsradio 1440 and on the club's website at www.biscuitsbaseball.com. The pre-game show begins at 5:40 CST.

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Southern League Stories from September 7, 2006


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