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Entering his third season as the leader of the University of Maryland Eastern Shore's baseball program is head baseball coach Bobby Rodriguez. In 2004, Rodriguez took over a program that has struggled over the last decade and began to retool the way the program is run off the field in attempts to make big changes on the field this season. Last season, the Fighting Hawks could only manage a 3-44 overall record and an 0-18 performance in Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference play. More important than victories last season, Rodriguez totally rebuilt the program from the inside as he established a truly positive recruiting system that has brought six strong freshman and four quality transfers in too UMES. He has also rebuilt Hawk stadium, redoing the entire infield to make it a truly professional playing surface. Rodriguez brings with him a wealth of baseball knowledge and experience. Most recently he served as field coach for the Baltimore Orioles' Class A Affiliate Delmarva Shorebirds from 1997 to 2002. His duties there included work with outfielders, third base coach, and as the hitting instructor. He won the South Atlantic League Championship in 1997, the first half title in 1998, the title in 2000, and the second half title in 2002. They also made playoff runs in four of his six seasons. Rodriguez is not just a successful coach but was a successful player in his day. In 1976 he was a high school All-American and was later signed to play in the Mexican AAA League. His first at bat came just over 27 years ago when he led off on July 4th with a double in his first professional at bat. Just one year later he won the Mexican League Championship with the Nuevo Laredo Owls. That year he was the lead off batter and hit .336. Three years later he owned Mexican League Pitching Staffs hitting .404. He has the silver bat at home to show proof of his Mexican League Batting Title. One year later in 1981 Rodriguez won another Mexican League Championship with the Mexico City Reds where he led off hitting .372. He was also the top Mexican Native Hitter in 1978, 1979, and 1982 with .343, .363, and .372 averages respectively. Coach Rodriguez has also had some great opportunities to coach and play with many famous players. He has coached such pro players as Calvin Pickering, Ryan Minor, Eddie Garabito, Ed Rogers, Luis Matos, Larry Bigbie, Bryan Roberts, Tim Raines Jr., Jayson Worth, Jerry Hairston Jr., Mike Bordick, Gabe Molina, Matt Riley, Ryan Kholmier, Richard Baur, Tripper Johnson, Bryan Bass, Adam Manley, Sidney Ponson, Pat Hentgen, and Seaford, DE native Delino DeShields. He also played with Jerry Hairston Jr.'s, father and his late grandfather Sam Hairston while in the Mexican League. Rodriguez's experience also has allowed him to play with or against such legends as Fernando Valenzuela, Willie Crawford, George Scott, Willie Davis, Bump Wills Jr., Louie Tiant, and Diego Segui. |
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