Trevor Hairgrove becomes the second UC Riverside coach to lead the Honkers
(Rochester, Minn)—The Rochester Honkers Baseball Club announced today that Trevor Hairgrove, an undergraduate assistant from the University of California Riverside, will be their new field manager for the 2015 Northwoods League season. Hairgrove becomes the Honkers 15th Field Manager since their inaugural season of 1994. He takes over for Matt Bowman who led the team to a 37-35 record in 2014.
“I am absolutely thrilled for this opportunity,” said Hairgrove. “With my three years of professional experience within the Los Angeles Angels organization, I can draw on that experience to teach these young men what it’s like to play at the next level and teach them how to win.”
“UC Riverside has treated us very well over the years,” said Honkers General Manager Dan Litzinger. “With Trevor now coaching under Tory Percival, a 2002 World Series Champion with the Angels and Head Coach at Riverside, we are excited to see what Trevor will bring this summer!” Hairgrove can also draw on some NWL experience as he was a member of the Battle Creek Bombers back in 2008.
Hairgrove played his entire collegiate career at UC Riverside where he was the team’s starting shortstop all four years. He started the fourth most career games in UC Riverside history. After his senior season of 2011, Hairgrove was named to the First Team All-Big West Conference and the ABCA NCAA Division 1 West All-Region Team, and was drafted in the 18th round by the Los Angeles Angels on Anaheim. Haigrove spent the next three years moving his way up from Rookie Ball with the Orem Owlz to the Angels AA Affiliate, the Arkansas Travelers. In 2012 he became a utility player for the Cedar Rapids Kernals, making at least one start at every position except centerfield and catcher.
“The NWL is the closest professional experience a college ballplayer can get,” added Hairgrove. "I expect these boys to play hard every day, and to not only play for themselves but for the city of Rochester. With my experience at the professional level these young men will be taught what is expected of them at the next level and what they need to do to reach that level and become winners on and off the field."
Hairgrove is the second UC Riverside coach to lead the team. Rusty McNamara led the Honkers to their 5th NWL Championship in 2009 and was named the NWL Manager of the Year.
“Last time a Riverside coach was here, that year ended in a Championship, I want to keep that tradition going,” said Hairgrove. “Asking for anything less is just asking for failure!”
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The Rochester Honkers are a member of the finest developmental league for elite college baseball players, the Northwoods League. Playing its 21st season of summer collegiate baseball, the Northwoods League is the largest organized baseball league in the world with 18 teams, drawing significantly more fans, in a friendly ballpark experience, than any league of its kind. A valuable training ground for coaches, umpires and front office staff, more than 115 Northwoods League players have advanced to Major League Baseball, including Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer (DET), Chris Sale (CWS), Jordan Zimmermann (WAS), Curtis Granderson (NYM), Allen Craig (BOS) and Ben Zobrist (TB). All league games are viewable live via the Northwoods League YouTube channel. For more information, visit www.rochesterhonkers.com.
