See this story at BrooklynDaily.com.
By Joseph Staszewski
Brooklyn Daily
Frank Rodriguez is giving back to the place where he got his start.
The former Boston Red Sox and Minnesota Twins pitcher is joining former Brooklynites and Major Leaguers John Franco and John Halama as coaches with the NYC Varsity fall baseball league based out of MCU Park in Coney Island. Teaching young players is something Rodriguez has done since he retired in 2001 after seven seasons in the big leagues. To get to do it in Brooklyn for the second straight year is extra special.
“Since I retired I just wanted to give back to the kids, in the area I grew up in,” he said.
Rodriguez, 40, was throwing batting practice at the high school league’s first workout last Wednesday and later spoke to the players about the special opportunity they have if they are selected for one of the league’s teams. The NYC Varsity league, made up of incoming sophomores, juniors and seniors, gives the players a chance to get tips on technique from former Major Leaguers — and to get evaluated by pro scouts while playing weekend double headers against excellent competition starting in September.
“This is more about showing them and letting them understand the little things that make them a better player,” Rodriguez said.
Those who watched him as a young player saw him grow also. He was a star at the former Eastern District High School. The then-shortstop and pitcher went on to lead Howard Junior College in Texas to a national title in 1991. The same year he won the Dick Howser Trophy, given to the nation’s best college baseball player. No junior college player has won it since.
Rodriguez was eventually converted to a pitcher by the Red Sox, which drafted him in the second round. He went on to post a 29–39 record with a 5.53 earned run average playing for four different teams.
His presence at the workout was an inspiration to the players trying out for the NYC Varsity league.
“It would make me work a lot harder, put a little more enthusiasm in me,” New Utrecht ace Andrew Nathan said of playing in front of former pros.
Rodriguez has fully moved into coaching now after what he called a smooth transition. He works with the Long Island Tigers travel program in Glen Cove, where he got a chance to coach his son Elijah. It’s an experience he will always remember.
“It’s tough separating being a father and being a coach,” Rodriguez said. “It’s been fun. He learns. He’s a sponge.”
Reach reporter Joseph Staszewski at jstaszewski@cnglocal.com. Follow him on twitter @cng_staszewski.