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!

Scott Albin – Nevada
1997, 1998 Rochester Honkers
Photo of Scott, Wife Stacey, Daughters Hannah (8) & Paige (4)

What’s your favorite memory while playing for the Rochester Honkers?
SA: This question could create a book, honestly. I have so many great memories of my two seasons playing for the Honkers. At the top of the list would be my teammates and how quickly we became so close in both seasons, we built some great friendships. I will break down some memories based on seasons. In '97, it would have to be winning the Northwoods League Championship, personally I had a decent summer on the mound but winning it all took the cake, it was my second championship in consecutive years. In '98, it was a bitter sweet, season. I personally had the season of my career, setting records, pitching in the All-Star game with about 9 other Honkers, but we couldn't bring home the championship, very heart breaking for me. I wanted this group to experience the feeling of winning a championship, we were so close knit as a team and most of the guys were there in '97. I begged and pleaded with Fleenor to let me pitch in Game 2 of the Championship series to get us to Game 3. Out of all the success I had that season, it was incomplete without that ring. But '98 was a summer that I will never forget on and off the field.
 
What’s your favorite non playing memory from your time with the Rochester Honkers (Host Family, Experience, Bus Ride, etc.)
SA: We had epic bonfire parties, almost every night we were home. My partner in crime, Lawrence Whitley, and I developed an ideal routine that worked extremely well for us. It involved partying, running the next day and lifting every other, I would shut down the partying and drinking two nights before each start and get smashed after the game on the nights I started. He was the best wing man anyone could have asked for and we took care of each other.

I had the best host family in the business, the McGuines. Paula and John took me as if I was one of their own. Katie and Nate accepted as their big brother as well. We became so close that summer that we still talk to this day. One bond I have with them is our love for the Green Bay Packers, we have been talking about my family meeting up with them to go to Lambeau Field for a game. When I played in St. Paul for the Saints, they were there to watch a few games and when I got released from the Montreal Expos in 2001 and my wife I were headed to St. Paul, we stayed with them for about a week until we went to St. Paul. They will forever be a part of me and my family.
 
Who was your favorite teammate when you played for the Rochester Honkers and why?
SA: This is possibly the toughest questions to answer. I would have to say Lawrence Whitley. We both played at the University of Nevada-Reno, so we had that bond to start but he and I drove 24 hours from Reno to Rochester and back without stopping over night. We rarely did anything without each other and most nights he would stay with me at the McGuines. He and I had so many experiences that we talk about to this day, most stories only he and I know about and will take to our grave.

Other than him there was Randy Meadows, Kevin Davis, Valentino Pascucci, Steve Madril, Jeremy Vidalis, Jeff Stevens (who was my catcher and caught almost every start in '98), Josh Pride, Steve Yo, Tod Fox, those were all my favorite guys, side note also the guys we partied with the most.
 
What has happened to you since you left Rochester and what are you doing now?

SA: Since I left Rochester, I had the privilege to play 4 seasons of Professional baseball, 2 seasons in the Montreal Expos organization with Randy Meadows and Valetino Pacucci, reaching AA before getting released in 2001. Then I finished my career with 2 seasons with the St. Paul Saints. I worked for Oakley for 8 years and coached baseball at Carson City High School in Carson City, Nevada for 6 years. I earned my Bachelor's degree in Speech Communications with a Minor in Spanish in December of 2000 and got married in October of 2000. I have 2 daughters, Hannah (8) and Paige (4) and am currently working for a pest control company as a General Manager in Training and living in Mansfield, Texas. I am also a Certified Personal Trainer, with Specializations in Performance Enhancement and TRX.
 
What was your biggest realization while playing for the Rochester Honkers?
SA: This was what I wanted to for a career. I gave us a taste of what pro ball is like and I loved it.
 
Do you still stay in contact with former teammates? If so who?
SA: I keep in contact with some of the guys through Facebook (Kevin Davis, Steve Madril, Jeremy Vidalis, Randy Meadows, Shawn Leimbeck and Litz of course!) and Lawrence Whitley and I talk on the phone every once in a while.