Jeff Andrews
Encyclopedia
Jeffrey J. Andrews is an American former professional baseball
player and current coach. He was the pitching coach for the Pittsburgh Pirates
in 2008, having been fired after one season at the position. Andrews spent each of the last 22 years as a minor league
pitching coach/coordinator, the last five in the Pittsburgh organization. On May 20, 2009 he was hired by the Frisco Roughriders
(AA), replacing Joe Slusarski
, marking his return to the Texas Rangers
organization.
Stevens High School, where he played football and basketball. He played American Legion
baseball since his high school team did not have a baseball program. He was also a pitcher on the Ohio Valley Conference
Championship team as a freshman at East Tennessee State University
in 1978. he led that squad to a Southern Conference
title and into NCAA Regional playoffs as a junior in 1980.
in the 26th round of the 1981 draft
. He pitched two years in the Cubs farm system, compiling a 10-6 record with Geneva (1981) and Salinas (1982).
organization in 1986. A year later he was pitching coach with Port Charlotte (A), a club that featured right-hander Kevin Brown and lefty Kenny Rogers. He also spent the next four years in the Texas farm system as pitching coach with the AA Tulsa Drillers
(1988–90) and the Triple-A Oklahoma RedHawks
(1991).
Jeff spent six years in the Seattle Mariners
organization as Pitching Coach with the AA Jacksonville Suns
(1992–94) and the AAA Tacoma Rainiers
(1995–97). In that time, he worked with future major leaguers such as Derek Lowe
and Mike Hampton
. Following his tenure in the Mariners minor league system, Andrews spent two seasons as the minor league pitching coordinator for the San Diego Padres
.
Prior to joining the Pirates, Andrews spent the 2002 season as Pitching Coach with the Lincoln Saltdogs
of the independent Northern League. He also spent two seasons in the Florida Marlins
organization as Pitching Coach with the AA Portland Sea Dogs
in 2001 and in the same capacity with the Kane County Cougars
in 2000.
His first position with the Pirates was as the pitching coach with Double-A Altoona
for three seasons (2003–05). His 2003 pitching staff at Altoona established a franchise record by posting a 3.32 ERA and lefty Sean Burnett
was named Eastern League Pitcher-of-the-Year under his watch during the same season. Jeff also served as a coach at the Major League Baseball
Futures Game in Chicago during the All-Star festivities in 2003.
He next served as pitching coach with the Triple-A Indianapolis Indians
in 2006-07. The 2006 pitching staff at Indy ranked fourth in ERA in the 14-team International League
. Among the 23 pitchers on the 40-man roster heading into spring training this season, Jeff had worked with 13 of them with either Altoona or Indy.
Professional baseball
Baseball is a team sport which is played by several professional leagues throughout the world. In these leagues, and associated farm teams, players are selected for their talents and are paid to play for a specific team or club system....
player and current coach. He was the pitching coach for the Pittsburgh Pirates
Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions...
in 2008, having been fired after one season at the position. Andrews spent each of the last 22 years as a minor league
Minor league baseball
Minor league baseball is a hierarchy of professional baseball leagues in the Americas that compete at levels below Major League Baseball and provide opportunities for player development. All of the minor leagues are operated as independent businesses...
pitching coach/coordinator, the last five in the Pittsburgh organization. On May 20, 2009 he was hired by the Frisco Roughriders
Frisco RoughRiders
The Frisco RoughRiders are currently the Class AA affiliate of the Texas Rangers major league baseball club. The team plays in the Texas League, assigned to the South Division. Prior to 2003, the franchise was based in Shreveport, Louisiana, and were known as the Shreveport Captains...
(AA), replacing Joe Slusarski
Joe Slusarski
Joseph Andrew Slusarski was a pitcher for the Oakland Athletics , Milwaukee Brewers , Houston Astros and Atlanta Braves ....
, marking his return to the Texas Rangers
Texas Rangers (baseball)
The Texas Rangers are a professional baseball team in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, based in Arlington, Texas. The Rangers are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League, and are the reigning A.L. Western Division and A.L. Champions. Since , the Rangers have...
organization.
Early life
Andrews is a 1977 graduate of Rapid City, South DakotaRapid City, South Dakota
Rapid City is the second-largest city in the U.S. state of South Dakota, and the county seat of Pennington County. Named after Rapid Creek on which the city is established, it is set against the eastern slope of the Black Hills mountain range. The population was 67,956 as of the 2010 Census. Rapid...
Stevens High School, where he played football and basketball. He played American Legion
American Legion
The American Legion is a mutual-aid organization of veterans of the United States armed forces chartered by the United States Congress. It was founded to benefit those veterans who served during a wartime period as defined by Congress...
baseball since his high school team did not have a baseball program. He was also a pitcher on the Ohio Valley Conference
Ohio Valley Conference
The Ohio Valley Conference is a college athletic conference which operates in the midwestern and southeastern United States. It participates in Division I of the NCAA; the conference's football programs compete in the Football Championship Subdivision , the lower of two levels of Division I...
Championship team as a freshman at East Tennessee State University
East Tennessee State University
East Tennessee State University is an accredited American university located in Johnson City, Tennessee. It is part of the Tennessee Board of Regents system of colleges and universities, the nation's sixth largest system of public education, and is the fourth largest university in the state...
in 1978. he led that squad to a Southern Conference
Southern Conference
The Southern Conference is a Division I college athletic conference affiliated with the National Collegiate Athletic Association . Southern Conference football teams compete in the Football Championship Subdivision . Member institutions are located in the states of Alabama, Georgia, North...
title and into NCAA Regional playoffs as a junior in 1980.
Playing career
A right-handed pitcher during his playing days, Andrews was originally selected by the Chicago CubsChicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
in the 26th round of the 1981 draft
1981 Major League Baseball Draft
-First round selections:The following are the first round picks in the 1981 Major League Baseball draft.- Other notable players :*John Elway was drafted by the New York Yankees in the 2nd round of the 1981 amateur draft...
. He pitched two years in the Cubs farm system, compiling a 10-6 record with Geneva (1981) and Salinas (1982).
Coaching career
Andrews began his professional coaching career as a minor league instructor in the Texas RangersTexas Rangers (baseball)
The Texas Rangers are a professional baseball team in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, based in Arlington, Texas. The Rangers are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League, and are the reigning A.L. Western Division and A.L. Champions. Since , the Rangers have...
organization in 1986. A year later he was pitching coach with Port Charlotte (A), a club that featured right-hander Kevin Brown and lefty Kenny Rogers. He also spent the next four years in the Texas farm system as pitching coach with the AA Tulsa Drillers
Tulsa Drillers
The Tulsa Drillers are a minor league baseball team based in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The team, which plays in the Texas League, is the Double-A affiliate of the Colorado Rockies major-league club.-Stadium:...
(1988–90) and the Triple-A Oklahoma RedHawks
Oklahoma RedHawks
The Oklahoma City RedHawks are a minor league baseball team based in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The team, which plays in the Pacific Coast League, is the Triple-A affiliate of the Houston Astros...
(1991).
Jeff spent six years in the Seattle Mariners
Seattle Mariners
The Seattle Mariners are a professional baseball team based in Seattle, Washington. Enfranchised in , the Mariners are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Safeco Field has been the Mariners' home ballpark since July...
organization as Pitching Coach with the AA Jacksonville Suns
Jacksonville Suns
The Jacksonville Suns are a minor league baseball team based in Jacksonville, Florida. The team is currently a member of the Southern League and is the class Double-A affiliate of the Miami Marlins Major League Baseball team...
(1992–94) and the AAA Tacoma Rainiers
Tacoma Rainiers
The Tacoma Rainiers are a minor league baseball team that plays in the Pacific Coast League , and are the Triple-A affiliate of the Seattle Mariners...
(1995–97). In that time, he worked with future major leaguers such as Derek Lowe
Derek Lowe
Derek Christopher Lowe is a Major League Baseball starting pitcher for the Cleveland Indians. He throws and bats right-handed. He is 6'6" and 230 pounds.-Early years:...
and Mike Hampton
Mike Hampton
Michael William Hampton is a left-handed former Major League Baseball pitcher. During his career, Hampton was well known for being one of the best hitting pitchers of his time, as well as for his large contract and frequent injuries.-Early career:Mike Hampton was drafted by the Seattle Mariners in...
. Following his tenure in the Mariners minor league system, Andrews spent two seasons as the minor league pitching coordinator for the San Diego Padres
San Diego Padres
The San Diego Padres are a Major League Baseball team based in San Diego, California. They play in the National League Western Division. Founded in 1969, the Padres have won the National League Pennant twice, in 1984 and 1998, losing in the World Series both times...
.
Prior to joining the Pirates, Andrews spent the 2002 season as Pitching Coach with the Lincoln Saltdogs
Lincoln Saltdogs
The Lincoln Saltdogs are a professional baseball team based in Lincoln, Nebraska, in the United States. The Saltdogs are a member of the North Division of the American Association of Independent Professional Baseball, which is not affiliated with Major League Baseball...
of the independent Northern League. He also spent two seasons in the Florida Marlins
Florida Marlins
The Miami Marlins are a professional baseball team based in Miami, Florida, United States. Established in 1993 as an expansion franchise called the Florida Marlins, the Marlins are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Marlins played their home games at...
organization as Pitching Coach with the AA Portland Sea Dogs
Portland Sea Dogs
The Portland Sea Dogs are the Double-A minor league affiliate of the Boston Red Sox. Established in 1994 and based in Portland, Maine, the Sea Dogs play in the Northern Division of the Eastern League....
in 2001 and in the same capacity with the Kane County Cougars
Kane County Cougars
The Kane County Cougars are a Class A minor league baseball team, affiliated with the Kansas City Royals, that plays in the Midwest League. Their home games are played in Geneva, Illinois, about 35 miles west of Chicago....
in 2000.
His first position with the Pirates was as the pitching coach with Double-A Altoona
Altoona Curve
The Altoona Curve are a minor league baseball team based in Altoona, Pennsylvania, named after nearby Horseshoe Curve . The team, which plays in the Eastern League, is the Double-A affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates major-league club...
for three seasons (2003–05). His 2003 pitching staff at Altoona established a franchise record by posting a 3.32 ERA and lefty Sean Burnett
Sean Burnett
Sean Richard Burnett is a relief pitcher for the Washington Nationals of Major League Baseball. He was drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the first round in 2000 after leading Wellington High School to a 6A State Title in his senior year.Known for his change-up, remarkable control, presence,...
was named Eastern League Pitcher-of-the-Year under his watch during the same season. Jeff also served as a coach at the Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
Futures Game in Chicago during the All-Star festivities in 2003.
He next served as pitching coach with the Triple-A Indianapolis Indians
Indianapolis Indians
The Indianapolis Indians are a minor league baseball team based in Indianapolis, Indiana. The team, which plays in the International League, is the Triple-A affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates major-league club. The Indians play at Victory Field, located in downtown Indianapolis...
in 2006-07. The 2006 pitching staff at Indy ranked fourth in ERA in the 14-team International League
International League
The International League is a minor league baseball league that operates in the eastern United States. Like the Pacific Coast League and the Mexican League, it plays at the Triple-A level, which is one step below Major League Baseball. It was so named because it had teams in both the United States...
. Among the 23 pitchers on the 40-man roster heading into spring training this season, Jeff had worked with 13 of them with either Altoona or Indy.