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As Spring Training Winds Down, Boston Red Sox Lose to Minnesota Twins

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FORT MYERS – Minnesota Twins SP Randy Dobnak gave up one hit in five innings, a solo homer by Boston’s Bobby Dalbec, as Minnesota prevailed as spring training winds down. The Twins’ Josh Donaldson and the Red Sox’s Jonathan Arauz and Cesar Puello also homered as the Twins snapped a three-game Boston win streak with last night’s 7-4 decision. Boston is (6-3) in their last 9 games and 10-4-1 in their last 15.

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Boston remains one of six teams with 13 wins (or more). The only teams with more wins are the Royals (14-7- 3) and Blue Jays (14-8-2). Boston has five games remaining in spring training before opening the regular season at home on Thursday, April 1, against the Orioles.

 

 

Red Sox Spring Training Update (Mar 25)

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FORT MYERS – The Red Sox defeated the Orioles last night at jetBlue Park, 2-0, as newly acquired Hunter Renfroe drove in the game’s only runs with a 2-run Home Run in the 3rd inning. Red Sox pitchers retired their final 13 batters faced after SP Nathan Eovaldi allowed four hits in 5.2 IP.

Hirokazu Sawamura (1.1 IP), Adam Ottavino (1.0 IP), and Josh Taylor (1.0 IP) each recorded perfect outings in relief.

The Red Sox have won their last three games and are 6-2 in their last eight, and 10-3-1 in their last 14. The Red Sox entered today leading the Grapefruit League in runs scored (130), HR (34), doubles (41), AVG (.270), OBP (.351), and SLG (.485).

Entering today, only the Toronto Blue Jays (14-8-1) had more wins than the Sox. and the only other teams with 13 wins are the KC Royals, NY Yankees, and Chicago Cubs.

The 2021 Chairman’s Cup between the Red Sox and Twins continues today, with the Red Sox leading 3-1-1…The Twins lead, 14-12-2, in the yearly series, with an 81-76-2 edge in games. The Red Sox and Twins will face each other 7 times during the 2021 regular season, with 4 games scheduled for 4/12-15 at Target Field, and 3 games set for 8/24-26 at Fenway Park. The Red Sox hold a 316-314 edge since the Twins moved to Minnesota prior to the 1961 season.

Boston has six games remaining in spring training before opening the regular season at home on Thursday, April 1, against the Orioles.

 

Red Sox: Countdown to Opening Day

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FORT MYERS, March 24 – Today marks the second of two Grapefruit League meetings between the Red Sox and Baltimore Orioles, following a March 4th Baltimore 6-3 win over Boston in Sarasota. The Red Sox are coming off a 7-6 win over the Atlanta Braves in yesterday’s road game. The Sox are 8-2 at jetBlue Park and 4-6-1 on the road.

Including today, the Sox have four home games and three road games remaining.

The Sox will play the Orioles 19 times in the regular season (nine home, 10 road), including the season- opening series at Fenway Park (April 1-4).

Six of Boston’s first nine games will be vs. the Orioles, as well as 10 of their first 36. In an 82-game stretch from May 11-August 12, the Sox will not face the O’s.

Boston is  5-2 over their last seven games and 9-3-1 in their last 13. Only the Royals (13-6-3), Blue Jays (13-8-1), and Yankees (13-7-2) have more wins than the Red Sox. The Sox have only seven games remaining in spring training before opening the regular season.

Red Sox Spring Training Notes (Mar. 23)

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FORT MYERS – In yesterday’s 10-4 win at Tampa Bay, four of Boston’s eight hits went for extra bases, including Home Runs by Christian Arroyo, Michael Chavis, and Bobby Dalbec. In the 3rd inning, Arroyo and Chavis homered on consecutive pitches.

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Dalbec and Chavis each hit their sixth HR of spring training yesterday, the most in the Grapefruit League and tied with LA Dodgers slugger Corey Seager for most in the majors.

The Red Sox are 8-3-1 in their last 12 games of Grapefruit League action. There are only nine days left until MLB Opening Day. Boston leads the Grapefruit League in runs (121), AVG (.271), HR (32), doubles (40), OBP (.356), and SLG (.498)… They have hit 8 more HR than any other team in the Grapefruit League.

Today marks the seventh of nine scheduled Grapefruit League meetings between the Red Sox and Atlanta Braves (currently tied, 3-3). The clubs will close out their spring training schedules against each other on 3/29 in North Port and 3/30 at jetBlue Park. The Sox and Braves will play each other 4 times in the regular season, with 2 games at Fenway Park (5/25-26) and 2 at Truist Park (6/15-16).

 

Red Sox: Spring Training Notes: Mar 22

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FORT MYERS – The Red Sox dropped a 9-4 decision to the Pittsburgh Pirates and have lost their last two games, after going 7-1-1 in their previous nine outings. The Sox are 8-2 at jetBlue Park and 2-6-1 on the road.

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Today marks the seventh of eight Grapefruit League meetings between the Red Sox and Rays (Boston leads, 4-2). Only three of the Sox’ first 72 games will be against the Rays (4/5-7 at home), as well as only six of their first 106. From 7/30-9/8, 13 of the Sox’ 36 games will be against Tampa Bay.

Including today, the Sox have four home games and five road games remaining in Spring Training as the 10-day countdown to opening day begins.

Notes: Red Sox manager Alex Cora and Rays manager Kevin Cash were teammates with the Red Sox in 2007 and 2008, helping lead BOS to the postseason in each year…The Sox won the World Series in 2007. … Cora was major league teammates with six current MLB managers: Cash, Aaron Boone (CLE, 2005), Craig Counsell (LAD, 1999), Gabe Kapler (BOS, 2005-06), Dave Roberts (LAD, 2002-04), and David Ross (BOS, 2008).

 

Red Sox: Spring Training Update (Mar 21)

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FORT MYERS, FLORIDA – The Boston Red Sox had their 3-game win streak snapped on Saturday with an 8-2 loss at Atlanta. The Red Sox are 7-2-1 in their last 10 games and 10-5-1 since beginning Spring Training 0-2. Boston has 10 games remaining in spring training before opening the regular season at home on Thursday, 4/1, against the Orioles.

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The Red Sox lead the majors in OPS (.854) and lead the Florida Grapefruit League in runs (107), AVG (.272), HR (29), doubles (35), OBP (.354), and SLG (.501).

The Red Sox have 35 active players remaining in Major League Spring Training camp, including 29 members of the 40-man roster and six non-roster invitees. In addition, LHP Chris Sale (60-day IL) and OF Franchy Cordero (COVID-19 Related IL) are on the injured list. Opening Day rosters must consist of 26 active players and must be submitted to MLB by noon (EDT) on Thursday, April 1.

Eleven members of the Red Sox’ 40-man roster/IL were not in the organization during the 2020 season and an additional five players on the 40-man were acquired in August 2020 including, Christian Arroyo, Nick Pivetta, Hudson Potts, Jeisson Rosario, and Connor Seabold.

Sox Manager Alex Cora announced that Eduardo Rodriguez will make his 1st career Opening Day start this season (4/1 vs. BAL). After missing the entire 2020 season with myocarditis, Rodriguez is 2-0 with a 2.31 ERA, .195 opponent AVG, and 0.69 WHIP in three starts this spring.

Red Sox Trim Roster

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FORT MYERS – (Official News Release) – The Boston Red Sox made the following roster moves:

  • Right-handed pitcher Tanner Houck was optioned to the Alternate Training Site.
  • Seven players were reassigned to the minor leagues: catcher Kole Cottam, right-handed pitcher Daniel Gossett, left-handed pitcher Stephen Gonsalves, first baseman Josh Ockimey, first baseman/third baseman Triston Casas, outfielder Jarren Duran, and infielder/outfielder Yairo Muñoz.
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Chief Baseball Officer Chaim Bloom made the announcement.

The Red Sox have 35 active players remaining in Major League Spring Training camp, including 29 members of the 40-man roster and six non-roster invitees. In addition, left-handed pitcher Chris Sale and outfielder Franchy Cordero are on the Injured List.

 

Deserving a Second Chance

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By TERRY LYONS, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

BOSTON – Who amongst us, doesn’t deserve a second chance?

During the 1980s, NBA All-Star guard Michael Ray Richardson was thrown-out of the league for failing to adhere to the NBA’s anti-drug program but was later given another chance. A decade later, Richardson thanked the late David Stern who as Commissioner of the NBA was credited by the wayward star for saving his life by providing the tough love, then rehabilitation from a serious drug problem.

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In the ‘70s and ‘80s, substance abuse problems and the need for second chances became common place, unfortunately. New York Mets stars Dwight Gooden and Darryl Strawberry each fell into drug dependency and abuse asa they were being built up by Mets fans as long-awaited superstars. They were given second chances by Baseball and New York fans and turned it around.

Former Celtics guard Chris Herren falls into the same category and now counsels youth against the pitfalls of substance abuse, as does basketball’s Vin Baker, who admitted to his fight against alcoholism and worked his way back, first taking a job as an assistant high school basketball coach in Connecticut in 2014. Afterward, he worked as a Starbucks coffee store manager in 2015, and now is back in the pros, working as an assistant coach with one of his former NBA teams, the Milwaukee Bucks.

Not all stories of rebounding for a second chance stem from drugs or alcohol abuse. Olympic speed-skater Dan Jansen was primed for possible medal contention in the 500 and 1,000 meter speed skating races at the 1988 Winter Olympics when – on the day of the 500 meter event – he received a call from his family home in Wisconsin that his 27-year old sister (Jane Marie Beres) was dying from leukemia.

Jansen attempted to speak with his sister by phone, but she was not able to respond. He was later informed of her death and he tried to compete but fell in the 500, distraught. Four days later, in the 1,000 he began with record-breaking speed only to fall again. Jansen left the ‘88 Games in Calgary with no medals and found himself unable to medal at the 1992 Winter Games in Albertville.

Jansen made good on his third chance, when he trained and won a World Championship in 1993 then took the gold in the 1,000 at the 1994 Winter Games in Lillehammer in one of the most heartwarming and remarkable stories of USA Olympic Games history.

Again, along the lines of the remarkable is the story of Seabiscuit, one of the greatest thoroughbred race horses of all-time.

“In 1938, the year’s No. 1 newsmaker was not FDR, Hitler, or Mussolini. Nor was it Lou Gehrig or Clark Gable. The subject of the most newspaper column inches in 1938 wasn’t even a person. It was an undersized, crooked-legged racehorse named Seabiscuit,” wrote Laura Hillenbrand in Seabiscuit, An American Legend.

In 2003, Seabiscuit’s story was transformed into an Academy Award nominated film (Best Picture), based on the best-selling book by Hillenbrand. Directed by Gary Ross and produced by Kathleen Kennedy and Frank Marshall, among others, Seabiscuit is in my personal Top 3 and it is my No. 1 favorite “sports” motion picture of all-time.

As we’re delving into “second chances,” Seabiscuit leads the pack when you study the true-life story of an undersized and overlooked thoroughbred whose unexpected success made him “the people’s favorite” and a true sign of hope for the masses in the USA during the Great Depression.

Seabiscuit is also the story of how three men — Charles Howard, Tom Smith, and Red Pollard — overcome personal limitations, demons, and tragedies, as well as economic hard times to bring about Seabiscuit’s thrilling and inspiring victories. The horse was sold to Howard for $8,000 at a Saratoga auction after being trained to lose to would-be greater racehorses. And, lose he did to the point where he was disregarded and discarded.

“You don’t throw a whole life away because he’s banged up a little,” Seabiscuit’s owner Charles Howard said, echoing Tom Smith, then adding later: “Sometimes all somebody needs is a second chance. A lot of people out there know what I mean.”

“You know, everybody thinks we found this broken-down horse and fixed him,” said Pollard, the over-sized jockey played by Tobey Maguire in the film. “But we didn’t. He fixed us; every one of us. And I guess in a way, we kinda fixed each other too.”

That brings us to the 2021 Boston Red Sox baseball season and the second chance being provided to Sox Manager Alex Cora.

There’s “no rooting in the press box,” of course, but even “Tick Tock McLaughlin” would be making his “Lazarus of Bethany” references as it pertains to the vaunted Sox organization placing new trust in Cora after his dismissal and one-year suspension for his center stage effort in the Houston Astros cheating scandal.

In January 2020, the Red Sox and Cora mutually agreed to parting ways after the Astros scandal cost the jobs of Houston GM Jeff Luhnow and team Manager A.J. Hinch. In the COVID-19 limited 2020 season Ron Roenickefilled in nicely for the Sox, but on November 6, 2020 – not long after Mookie Betts and the LA Dodgers were crowned World Champs – Cora was re-hired and signed to a two-year contract by Boston.

While a 108-54 record with the Sox this season is not to be, Red Sox fans and the few veteran players left from the record-setting 2018 season will be supporting Cora in a big way.

The reason?

While Americans enjoy building up heroes then knocking them down, the story isn’t complete and a fan isn’t satisfied until that broken hero gets his/her second chance.

That’s the case this season with Cora and the Sox, although he must now help rebuild the club, rather than rejoice in 100+ wins alongside the likes of Betts, David “Big Papi” Ortiz, Chris Sale and Xander Bogaerts.

See While We’re Young Ideas for a Year-Long subscription and our March Madness Rate.

Red Sox Personnel Moves

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BOSTON, MA—The Boston Red Sox announced personnel moves in the Player Development department, as well as 2021 field staffs for their minor league affiliates.

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Ben Crockett has been promoted to Senior Vice President, Baseball Operations. Currently in his 15th year in the Red Sox organization, the Topsfield, MA native has worked as Vice President, Player Development (2016-20); Director, Player Development (2012-16); Assistant Director, Player Development (2010-11); and Advance Scouting Coordinator (2008-09) after spending 2007 as an intern in Baseball Operations. The Harvard University graduate was selected by the Red Sox in the 10th round of the 2001 June Draft, but he did not sign. The former right-handed pitcher spent five years in the Colorado Rockies organization (2002-06) after being selected by the club in the third round of the 2002 June Draft.

Brian Abraham has been promoted to Director, Player Development. The Worcester, MA native previously worked as Director, Minor League Operations (2018-20); Assistant Director, Player Development (2015-18); and Major League Staff Assistant (2013-14). Prior to joining the Red Sox organization, the College of the Holy Cross graduate and member of the baseball team spent six years with the Toronto Blue Jays (2007-12), primarily working in advance scouting and video operations on the Major League staff.

Chris Stasio has been promoted to Manager, Baseball Development. In January 2020 he was hired as Assistant Coordinator, Baseball Development, returning to the organization where he worked in player development and advance scouting roles in 2014, 2016, and 2017. The Northeastern University graduate began his career in baseball as an intern with the New York Mets in 2014 and most recently served as a professional scout for the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2018 and 2019.

Harry Roberson has been hired as Coordinator, Player Development and will be involved in various player development programs while engaging with on-field staff, focusing on practice planning and skill development. The Amherst College graduate most recently worked in baseball operations for the Toronto Blue Jays (2019-20) following a season as Hitting Coach for Eastern Connecticut State University (2019).

Shawn Haviland has been promoted to Senior Coordinator, Pitching, after spending the 2020 season as the organization’s Pitching Coordinator, Performance. The Middletown, CT native and graduate of Harvard University was originally hired by the club as Pitching Performance Coach prior to the 2019 season. A former right-handed pitcher, he played nine minor league seasons after being selected by Oakland in the 2008 June Draft, including two stints in the Red Sox organization with Triple-A Pawtucket in 2015 and 2017.

Julio Rangel has been hired as Pitching Coordinator, Performance. For the past two seasons, the Panama native served as the major league pitching coach for the Texas Rangers. Following a seven-year playing career in the New York Yankees minor league system (1994-2000), Rangel began his coaching career with the Tampa Yankees in 2001. He spent 11 years in the Cleveland system as a Cultural Development Coordinator (2007-08), Mental Skills Coordinator (2009-10), Lower Level Pitching Coordinator (2011-15), and Assistant Field Coordinator (2016-17). In 2018, Rangel served as the San Francisco Giants’ Minor League Pitching Coordinator.

Kirby Retzer has been promoted to Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coordinator. The Florida Gulf Coast University graduate is in his sixth season with the Red Sox organization, having spent the last two as a strength and conditioning coach with the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League Red Sox, also working with players on rehabilitation assignments.

Paddy Steinfort has been promoted to Senior Mental Skills Coordinator following two seasons as a mental skills coach with the organization. He has also spent time in similar roles with the United States Army (2019-present), Philadelphia 76ers (2018-20), Toronto Blue Jays (2016-18), and Philadelphia Eagles (2015-16).

Adan Severino has been promoted to Latin American Mental Skills Coordinator following three seasons as Mental Skills Coordinator (2018-20). Prior to his time with the Red Sox, he spent time as a behavioral health professional and correctional officer in the state of Florida. The University of Miami graduate played three seasons (2008-10) as an outfielder in the Minnesota Twins’ system and in the independent Frontier League.

Gabriela Alfonso joins the organization as Minor League Sports Dietician and will be based out of Fort Myers. In addition to other experiences in the industry, the Miami, FL native has spent time in athletics as a sports nutrition graduate assistant and nutritionist with the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs (2015-17).

Worcester (Triple-A, International League)

Billy McMillon enters his 14th season in the Red Sox organization, his third as Manager for the club’s Triple-A affiliate. The 2021 season will be his ninth as a minor league manager, having also served in that capacity for Single-A Greenville (2010-11), High-A Salem (2012-13), and Double-A Portland (2014-15). Bruce Crabbe will remain on the staff as an additional coach for the eighth consecutive season, extending his tenure with the organization to 17 years (2005-21). Rich Gedman will continue as the club’s hitting coach for his seventh year in that role and 11th with Red Sox minor league clubs. A Worcester native, Gedman was selected to the Red Sox Hall of Fame in 2020.

Paul Abbott returns as Pitching Coach for the Red Sox’ Triple-A affiliate for the second consecutive season, his 11th in the organization. Abbott previously served as Pitching Coach for Short-A Lowell (2011-12), Single-A Greenville (2013-14), High-A Salem (2015-17), and Double-A Portland (2018-19). Michael Montville, hired prior to last season as an additional coach for the Gulf Coast League Red Sox, joins Worcester in the same role. David Herrera enters his third season as Athletic Training Coordinator, his 14th with the organization (2008-21). Ben Chadwick joins Worcester as Strength and Conditioning Coach following two seasons in that role with Portland.

Portland (Double-A, Eastern League)

Corey Wimberly joins the Sea Dogs as Manager, having previously managed Short-A Lowell (2018) and High-A Salem (2019-20) as well as been a member of Greenville’s coaching staff (2017). In 2019, Wimberly led Salem to the Carolina League Northern Division title, as the club went a league-best 42-28 in the season’s second half. Lance Carter returns for his second season as Portland’s Pitching Coach. It will be his seventh season in the organization, having previously worked with Short-A Lowell (2015-17) and High-A Salem (2018-19). Lance Zawadzki also returns for his second season as Hitting Coach. He joined the organization with Lowell in 2018 before serving as Salem’s hitting coach in 2019.

Joining the Sea Dogs staff as an additional coach is Ako Thomas, who most recently spent time on the University of Michigan’s staff as Volunteer Assistant Coach (2020) following a four-year playing career with the Wolverines (2016-19). Entering his sixth season in the Red Sox’ system, Scott Gallon will continue as the Sea Dogs’ athletic trainer after moving into that role in 2017. Jeffrey Dolan joins Portland as Strength and Conditioning Coach, having most recently worked in a similar role with the Phoenix Suns (2019-20).

Greenville (High-A, Carolina League)

Iggy Suarez returns for a fourth season managing Greenville, marking his seventh season in the organization and his sixth as a minor league manager. Entering his 23nd year in the Red Sox organization, Bob Kipper will return as Greenville’s pitching coach, having also served in that role with the Drive from 2005-06, 2008-09, and 2018-20. Also returning to the Drive staff is Hitting Coach Nate Spears, who after serving as a coaching assistant with Greenville in 2016 spent four years as a hitting coach for Short-A Lowell (2017-20).

John Shelby III returns for his second season with the Drive coaching staff after joining the organization in 2020 following a stint as Assistant Baseball Coach at the University of Kentucky. Athletic Trainer Nick Kuchwara joins Greenville following time in the same role with High-A Salem (2016-20). Also joining the Greenville staff is Strength and Conditioning Coach Joe Hudson after two seasons in the same role for Salem (2019-20).

Salem (Single-A, South Atlantic League)

Luke Montz enters his first season managing Salem after serving in the same role for Short-A Lowell (2019-20) and serving as a coaching assistant for Double-A Portland (2018). In 2019, Montz led the Spinners to the Stedler Division title and a 42-34 record in the regular season. Veteran hitting coach Nelson Paulino will return to the staff in his 24th season coaching in the organization (1998-2021), having previously worked with Salem in 2013, from 2016-18, and in 2020. Nick Green, who joined the Red Sox organization in 2015 and most recently spent three seasons as Pitching Coach for Lowell (2018-20), joins the Salem staff to serve in that same role.

Frankie Rios, who played in the Red Sox system in 2017 and 2018, will join Salem’s staff as an additional coach after spending the 2020 season coaching in Portland. Bobby Stachura, who joined the organization as an intern in 2017, will serve as an athletic trainer following two seasons in that role with Single-A Greenville (2019-20). Michael Hernandez also joins Salem staff as Strength and Conditioning Coach after working with Greenville in 2020, his first season in the Red Sox organization.

Fort Myers Complex

Tom Kotchman will spend 2021 as a manager at the Fort Myers complex after spending seven seasons as manager of the Gulf Coast League Red Sox. Kotchman has spent 40 total seasons as a minor league manager and scout. Serving as a hitting coach in Fort Myers is Josh Prince, who joined the organization in 2020 as Hitting Coach for Single-A Greenville after spending the 2019 season as a player/coach for the Sugar Land Skeeters in the Atlantic League. Junior Zamora also will serve as a hitting coach, following six years in that capacity for the Gulf Coast League Red Sox and seven years as a bench coach for the Rookie-level Dominican Summer League Red Sox.

The Fort Myers complex will feature three pitching coaches, including Dick Such, a veteran of the Gulf Coast League. Brett Merrittwill also work at the complex after serving as a pitching coach for High-A Salem (2020) and the College of Central Florida (2018-19).Jason Blanton joins the organization, having previously worked as a pitching coach in the Cleveland Indians (2017-20) and Seattle Mariners (2014-15) systems.

Mickey Jiang, who has been coaching in the Red Sox’ system since 2009, returns as a coach and translator. Bianca Smith joins the organization as a coach at the Fort Myers complex after most recently serving as Assistant Athletic Director as well as Assistant Coach and Hitting Coordinator at Carroll University (WI). Smith, who has also spent time with the Cincinnati Reds and Texas Rangers organizations, becomes the first African-American woman to coach in professional baseball history. Also joining the organization as a coach in Fort Myers is Chris Hess, who has spent time as Assistant Coach at the University of Rhode Island, his alma mater, following three seasons playing in the New York Yankees organization (2017-19). Hess also played for Hyannis of the Cape Cod Baseball League in 2016.

Taylor Boucher will serve as Athletic Trainer following two seasons in that role with Short-A Lowell (2019-20). Richard De Luna, who joined the organization in 2018 as a minor league strength and conditioning coach after serving in the United States Marine Corps (2012-17), will serve as Strength and Conditioning Coach, a role he held with Greenville from 2019-20.

Dominican Republic Academy

Jose Zapata will return for his 15th season as the Red Sox’ Latin American field coordinator. Ozzie Chavez and Sandy Madera return as managers at the Dominican Republic Academy, after they both made managerial debuts in 2019. Madera’s first year working in the Red Sox organization was 2019, while Chavez began his coaching career in 2015 as a hitting coach for the Rookie-level Dominican Summer League Red Sox. Serving as hitting coaches at the academy will be Eider Torres, who joined the DSL Red Sox last season, and Danny Ortega, who has coached in the Los Angeles Angels (2018-19) and Houston Astros (2010-17) organizations, including a stint managing the Greeneville Astros in 2017.

Oscar Lira and Humberto Sanchez will continue as the academy’s pitching coaches, with Lira entering his 10th season in the role and Sanchez beginning his fourth. Also returning to the staff are Juan Hernandez, Claudio Sanchez, Carlos Vallejo, and Leonel Vazquezas additional coaches. Joining the academy as International Instructor is Amaury Garcia, after spending 12 years with the Washington Nationals organization, including serving as Hitting Coach for the Single-A Hagerstown Suns (2016-20). Garcia played in the Florida Marlins (1994-2000) and Chicago White Sox (2001) organizations, appearing in 10 major league games for the Marlins in 1999. Guillermo Hinojosa will return for his 12th season as athletic trainer, while Jharvyn Velazquez will return for his second. Antonio Diaz and Danny Gutierrez will resume their roles as strength and conditioning coaches at the academy.