Wise returns for '04; Sport Management Scholarship is back

Published on January 23, 2004 under Atlantic League (AtL)
American Defenders of New Hampshire News Release


(Nashua, NH) - The Nashua Pride today announced that former major leaguer Rick Wise has agreed to return as the team's pitching coach for the 2004 season, confirming an announcement made by Wise himself at last Thursday's New Hampshire Baseball Dinner.

"Rick did an outstanding job with our pitching staff last season," said Pride General Manager Todd Marlin. "I was definitely pleased to learn that he was interested in coming back for another year." In 2003, his first year with the club, Wise oversaw a Pride pitching staff that posted a 4.05 earned run average and 71 wins en route to the Atlantic League Championship Series. Two of his charges, Brian Looney and Brian Smith, spent time in the Colorado Rockies organization during the early part of the season, while another, Carlos Chantres, finished fourth among Atlantic League qualifiers in ERA.

A veteran of eighteen major league seasons, Wise has the distinction of being traded for two Hall of Famers (Steve Carlton in 1972 and Dennis Eckersley in 1978). A solid pitcher in his own right, he won 188 games for the Philadelphia Phillies, St. Louis Cardinals, Boston Red Sox, Cleveland Indians, and San Diego Padres. In 1971, he became the first (and only) pitcher to hit two homeruns while pitching a no-hitter, a career highlight overshadowed only by his role as the winning pitcher in the classic Game Six of the 1975 World Series. A minor league coach since 1985, Wise has previously worked for the Long Island Ducks and Allentown Ambassadors.

Rick Wise, Butch Hobson, and the rest of the Nashua Pride begin their 2004 home schedule against the Somerset Patriots on May 14, 2004, in a rematch of last season's Atlantic League Championship Series. All full and partial season ticket packages are now on sale, and can be purchased by calling the Pride office at 883-2255.

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PRIDE SPORTS MANAGEMENT SCHOLARSHIP BACK FOR YEAR NUMBER TWO

The Pride also announced that the organization will again give a one time scholarship in the sum of $1,000 to a member of the 2004 graduating class from a New Hampshire high school. The winning student will be a highly motivated individual who intends to pursue a full-time two- or four-year course of study in the field of sport management.

Applications can be obtained from Pride Media Relations Manager Brian Moynahan by calling the team office at 883-2255. All candidates must submit their applications, official academic transcripts, and resumes to the Pride office by March 15, 2004.

The winner will be selected on multiple criteria. The successful candidate must have a grade point average not lower than 3.0 (on a 4.0 point scale) as of Feb. 1, 2004; submit a written essay on the assigned topic; provide three letters of recommendation; and take part in at least one interview with the selection committee. Interested individuals may contact the Pride or refer to the application with additional questions.

The Nashua Pride Sport Management Scholarship was created in 2003 by Pride General Manager Todd Marlin, who began the program with the hope that it would grow into an annual offering. Last year's winner, Tom Cataldi of Merrimack High School, is currently studying sport management at Endicott College in Beverly, MA.

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For those who hadn't heard yet, Pride front office member Tim Renyi has recently left the team for another opportunity with the Rancho Cucamunga affiliated ballclub in California. Tim spent just one season with the Pride, but his contributions were invaluble, and the Pride wishes him luck in his new position.

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THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT OF THE 46TH NEW HAMPSHIRE BASEBALL DINNER

In case you missed it, this year's baseball dinner was a resounding success. Close to 400 people filled The Wayfarer Inn function rooms to meet Jim Rice, Johnny Pesky, Butch Hobson, Rick Wise, Bill Monboquette, Rico Petrocelli, Joe Klein, Bob Tewksbury, Kyle Jackson and David Williamson. WMUR's Charlie Sherman did his usual outstanding job hosting the event, as the Granite State's baseball tradition was on display. The dinner & silent auction helped raise funds for the Boys & Girls Club, with some of the more popular items including a baseball signed by Derek Lowe, a Manchester Monarchs team-signed jersey, an autographed Tedy Bruschi photo, a Deion Branch signed football, a Mt. Washington Hotel Vacation package, a Luxury Sky Suite Night at a 2004 Pride game, and a bat signed by the legendary Willie Mays.

The night featured each of the special guests speaking (it was usually funny), but the highlights of the night were the timeless Johnny Pesky's address to the packed house and tghe great Jim Rice, whose impromptu opening of the floor for questions made the dinner program last for almost an extra hour...and still nobody left early. It truly was a night to remember.

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Atlantic League Stories from January 23, 2004


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