Jacob Colwell, a senior at Saint Mary's University (Winona, MN) studying Sports Management, has taken on the challenge of contacting many former Rochester Honkers players and coaches. He wanted to see what they are doing now and some of their favorite memories of playing in Rochester. Below you will enjoy his discoveries as we present……Flashback Fridays!

Brett Lindgren- East Carolina
2007  Rochester Honkers Coach
Selfie of Brett & His Little Buddy Owen Phelps, son of Erik & Erin Phelps. Erik is a pilot in the US Navy stationed in Honolulu. Photo taken at the University of Hawaii when UC Davis played there

What’s your favorite memory while playing for the Rochester Honkers?
BL: I have two favorite memories while coaching for the Honkers in 2007. The first is a 8th inning come from behind victory at Battle Creek that snapped a losing streak. The game was televised on ESPN U. Craig Fritsch pitched 7 scoreless innings and in the top of the 8th Joe Southers had a pinch hit double to give us the lead. The second memory is watching Brett Featherston play chubby bunny with marshmallows in front of our dugout prior to the game.

What’s your favorite non playing memory from your time with the Rochester Honkers (Host Family, Experience, Bus Ride, etc.)
BL: When we went to go eat after the game at Waterloo. We ate at a restaurant that was right on the lake. Following a seafood dinner with lots of dessert, the team took to the sand volleyball pit in back to play a game. Unfortunately our nice dinner was a mistake by Gregg Labbe, Dave Martinez and myself as we allowed the team to order more food than our stipend. That was a fun phone conversation with Dan.

Who was your favorite teammate when you played for the Rochester Honkers and why?
BL: All the guys I coached during that summer were unique. We had good chemistry and a few players who were returning to Rochester for their second or third summers. We didn't win as much as we would have liked but I enjoyed going to the field everyday to work with the guys.

What has happened to you since you left Rochester and what are you doing now?
BL: After leaving Rochester I continued coaching college baseball. I spent five years at Cal State Fullerton, a year at Santa Clara University and I'm now in my third year as an assistant coach at UC Davis.

What was your biggest realization while playing for the Rochester Honkers?
BL: I realized how much time and effort Dan and Kim put into the season and making it the best possible experience for both fans and players. They really create a family atmosphere around the ballpark and do a great job taking care of the players who come to be Honkers. It is a long summer but definitely a summer you will remember the rest of your life. I wouldn't trade the experience for anything.

Do you still stay in contact with former teammates? If so who?
BL: Every once in awhile I will run into or talk to one of the guys from that summer. I see David Flores around because he is coaching at a JC in my area. I also speak with Dan every couple months.