Hudson Valley Renegades pitching coach Dick Bosman can offer his viewpoint on any aspect of professional baseball to his young staff.
Bosman?s perspective comes from more than 30 years of experience as both a player and coach. Much of that experience came in the Baltimore area, as he spent six of his 11 years as a player with the Washington Senators (1966-1971) and four seasons as a minor league pitching instructor with the Baltimore Orioles before serving as the team?s pitching coach from 1992-1994.
After leaving the Orioles, Bosman, along with manager Johnny Oates, spent six years with the Texas Rangers, where they reached the playoffs three times. Oates served as Orioles skipper from 1991-1994.
“We had a great run in Baltimore and Texas,” Bosman said. “Unfortunately, in Texas we could never get past the Yankees [in the playoffs]. Then again, nobody else did, either.”
Bosman said coaching for a short-season Single-A New York-Penn League affiliate of Tampa Bay is far different from working with polished major leaguers.
“On the major leagues, you?re basically offering suggestions,” Bosman said last Thursday at Ripken Stadium, prior to playing the Aberdeen IronBirds. “Here, you are often the first one who gets a chance to work with a pitcher on a professional level. You?re more of a teacher with these guys.”
Bosman said in addition to that, pitching coaches in the low minor leagues have to be more cautious with their staff since many are coming off their respective college schedules while many are also adjusting to life on their own for the first time.
“Here, you?re teaching guys about life on the road, how to take care of yourselves between starts while also getting used to pitching on a more regular basis over a long season,” Bosman said.
Renegades manager Matt Quatraro said Bosman?s presence is invaluable in the clubhouse and believes the pitchers will benefit from his guidance.
“[Bosman] comes with instant credibility,” Quatraro said. “He doesn?t have to be down here and to have someone on the staff like him that is passionate about what he does is a great asset.”
THE BOSMAN FILE
Age: 62
Position: Pitching coach/New York-Penn League
Major league system: Tampa Bay
Hometown: Kenosha, Wisconsin
Did you know? Bosman compiled an 82-85 record with a 3.67 ERA between 1966 and 1976 with the Washington Senators, Texas Rangers, Cleveland Indians and Oakland Athletics.
