Spring Break
Column: Baseball alums coach in majors
Kevin Murphy / Sports Editor
Issue date: 4/28/09 Section: Sports
Kevin Seitzer has returned to the place he once played.
Seitzer, the Kansas City Royals hitting coach, played for the Royals from 1987-1992.
The former Eastern baseball player is trying to help the Royals climb out of the cellar of the American League Central Division and post their first winning season since 2003.
The Royals (9-9) finished fourth in the division, which was their highest finish since 2003.
Seitzer wants to challenge the Royals this season.
"It's a good situation," he said.
Seitzer said his main focus was on helping the team increase its on-base percentage.
He said the Royals worked hard in spring training, and he's trying to establish a foundation so they can become a better team.
But for Seitzer, who was an All-Star for the Royals in 1987, it's a humbling experience.
"Any time you get to work at this level, it's very rewarding," he said. "It's very rewarding to win."
The goals are the same at any level, Seitzer said.
That includes making the playoffs, advancing into the postseason and winning the World Series.
The Red Sox (12-6) will look to Tim Bogar, another former Eastern baseball player, this season.
Last season, Bogar helped the Tampa Bay Rays reach the World Series as the team's third base coach.
The Red Sox are coming off a sweep of the Yankees.
While there are no major league players in MLB, there are coaches.
And these coaches have chances to help take these teams to the postseason.
Kevin Murphy can be reached at 581-7944 or kjmurphy@eiu.edu.
Seitzer, the Kansas City Royals hitting coach, played for the Royals from 1987-1992.
The former Eastern baseball player is trying to help the Royals climb out of the cellar of the American League Central Division and post their first winning season since 2003.
The Royals (9-9) finished fourth in the division, which was their highest finish since 2003.
Seitzer wants to challenge the Royals this season.
"It's a good situation," he said.
Seitzer said his main focus was on helping the team increase its on-base percentage.
He said the Royals worked hard in spring training, and he's trying to establish a foundation so they can become a better team.
But for Seitzer, who was an All-Star for the Royals in 1987, it's a humbling experience.
"Any time you get to work at this level, it's very rewarding," he said. "It's very rewarding to win."
The goals are the same at any level, Seitzer said.
That includes making the playoffs, advancing into the postseason and winning the World Series.
The Red Sox (12-6) will look to Tim Bogar, another former Eastern baseball player, this season.
Last season, Bogar helped the Tampa Bay Rays reach the World Series as the team's third base coach.
The Red Sox are coming off a sweep of the Yankees.
While there are no major league players in MLB, there are coaches.
And these coaches have chances to help take these teams to the postseason.
Kevin Murphy can be reached at 581-7944 or kjmurphy@eiu.edu.
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