I am the
current manager of the Burlington Bees, Class A
affiliate of the Oakland Athletics. I have been in
professional baseball since 1998, 5 years as a player
(1998 – 2003) and 8 years as a coach (2004 – 2011). I
began my professional coaching career as a hitting coach
with the Kane County Cougars (2004-2005) and then began
managing in 2006. In 6 seasons as a manager with the
Cougars, Stockton Ports, and Burlington Bees, I have
compiled an overall record of 422-410, including 4
playoff berths. Since I have been coaching professional
baseball, much of my success has involved working with
great coaches and some tremendous athletes, including
more than 20 players that have advanced to the major
leagues, such as Andrew Bailey, Jemile Weeks, Huston
Street, Trevor Cahill, Dallas Braden, Anthony Recker,
and Corey Brown.
I attended
Fenwick High School playing for coach Dave Hogan, then
received an athletic scholarship to the University of
Illinois, where I played for Hall of Fame coach Richard
“Itch” Jones. I was drafted by the Oakland Athletics in
1998. While playing minor league baseball, I finished my
degree in Communications in 2000. Since 1999, in
addition to my professional career, I have also been
conducting private baseball instruction for young
athletes in the Chicago area. My goal now is to utilize
my experiences at the professional level and in minor
league player development to help each athlete, coach
and team I work with to develop and improve their skills
and understanding of the fundamentals of baseball.
Originally from Stickney, IL, I now make my home in
Yorkville with my wife Renee and our daughter, Ariyana.
