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!

Larry Owens – Wabash Valley / Louisville
1994, 1995, 1996 Rochester Honkers Coach / Field Manager
Photo of Larry & His Family (L-R): Dawson, Grayson, Larry, Easton, Wife Kelly, McKenna

What’s your favorite memory while playing for the Rochester Honkers? 
LO: The 3 summers as a whole is my favorite memory.  It was the closest thing to minor league baseball that the players and us as coaches could get.  Plus the friendships and fun we had with the front office staff during each summer.  They made it easy to have fun.

What’s your favorite non playing memory from your time with the Rochester Honkers (Host Family, Experience, Bus Ride, etc.)
LO: "Going over the hitters" after games with Radatz, Litz, Winston, Lund and friends!  Andrew Thompson buried my fungo in the warning track in front of our dugout during a game.  I gave him the night off and he drove me crazy on the bench.  He was bored and so used to playing every day.  That was the last time I gave him a night off.  haha.

Who was your favorite teammate when you played for the Rochester Honkers and why?
LO: I was a coach and manager so I didn't have a favorite teammate but some of players I most liked to watch play were Kevin Lucas, Mike Maslowski, Dan Kneeshaw, Jason Washam, Josh Bishop and I'm sure I'm missing a few more.

What has happened to you since you left Rochester and what are you doing now? 
LO: Following Rochester I coached in Cape Cod the summer of 1997.  Went on to coach college baseball at Austin Peay State and the Univ of Memphis.  I then began a 9 yr career in professional baseball where I was the pitching coach for the San Diego Surf Dawgs of the Golden League (Independent Professional Baseball) for one year.  Then I spent a year as an area scout for the Boston Red Sox.  The next 7 yrs I was a minor league pitching coach for the Chicago White Sox till this past Sept when I accepted a Head Coaching position at Bellarmine University in Louisville, KY where I get to live at home and spend more time with my family.

Do you still stay in contact with former teammates? If so who?
LO: I touch base with Dan Litzinger from time to time.  I have not run into any of the players from my time in Rochester in 1994, 1995 & 1996.