Tom Kotchman
Encyclopedia
John Thomas Kotchman is a scout and a manager
in the farm system of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
of Major League Baseball
.
, and played baseball at Chipola Junior College
in Florida and Georgia Southern University
. He was signed by the Cincinnati Reds
in 1977 and played two seasons (1977-78) in their farm system at the Class A level. A third baseman
, he threw and batted right-handed, stood 6'1" (185 cm) tall and weighed 180 pounds (82 kg).
The 2008
season marked Kotchman's 30th consecutive year as a minor league
manager. He began his career in 1979 at age 24 with the Auburn Redstars in the Short-Season Class A New York- Penn League. The Auburn franchise lacked a Player Development Contract and was designated a "co-op" team, receiving its players on loan from multiple major league organizations. After one season there, Kotchman became manager of teams affiliated with MLB organizations. He spent 1980-81 in the Detroit Tigers
system, as skipper of the Bristol Tigers of the Rookie-level Appalachian League
in 1980, then the Macon Peaches
of the full-season Class A South Atlantic League
in 1981. He then spent 1982-83 as pilot of the Boston Red Sox
' Class A Florida State League
franchise, the Winter Haven Red Sox
.
In 1984, he joined the Angels' farm system. From 1984-86, he was manager of their Class A California League
farm clubs, the Redwood Pioneers
, based in Rohnert Park, California
, and the Palm Springs Angels
. Success there led to a promotion to the Angels' Triple-A Edmonton Trappers
affiliate in the Pacific Coast League
, where he also spent three seasons (1987-89). In 1990, Kotchman assumed his current role, as a Florida-based scout and manager of the Angels' Short-Season Class A or Rookie-level teams in the Northwest League
and the Pioneer League. He skippered the Boise Hawks
of the NWL for 11 seasons (1990-2000) during which time the Hawks never finished lower than second place and never compiled a losing record. Since 2001, he has managed in the Pioneer League with the Provo Angels (2001-04) and the Orem Owlz
(since 2005). Through 2010, he had compiled a career managerial record of 1,623 victories and 1,363 defeats, a winning percentage of .544, with eight league championships, including Orem's '09 Pioneer League title.
In 2008 Kotchman was one of the inaugral inductees into the Professional Baseball Scouts Hall of Fame.
and his daughter Christal Kotchman was on the College of Charleston softball team.
Manager (baseball)
In baseball, the field manager is an individual who is responsible for matters of team strategy on the field and team leadership. Managers are typically assisted by between one and six assistant coaches, whose responsibilities are specialized...
in the farm system of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim are a professional baseball team based in Anaheim, California, United States. The Angels are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The "Angels" name originates from the city in which the team started, Los Angeles...
of 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...
.
Biography
Tom Kotchman attended high school in Seminole, FloridaSeminole, Florida
Seminole is a city in Pinellas County, Florida, United States. The population was 10,890 at the 2000 census. As of 2007, the population estimated by the U.S. Census Bureau is 19,195. St. Petersburg College has a campus in the city.-Geography:...
, and played baseball at Chipola Junior College
Chipola College
Chipola College is a state college located in Marianna, Florida, USA. Chipola College is a member institution of the Florida College System.The College was named for the Chipola River, which is located less than a mile from the campus...
in Florida and Georgia Southern University
Georgia Southern University
Georgia Southern University is a national public university located on a campus in Statesboro, Georgia, USA. Founded in 1906, it is part of the University System of Georgia and is the largest center of higher education in the southern half of Georgia offering 117 academic majors in a comprehensive...
. He was signed by the Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
in 1977 and played two seasons (1977-78) in their farm system at the Class A level. A third baseman
Third baseman
A third baseman, abbreviated 3B, is the player in baseball whose responsibility is to defend the area nearest to third base — the third of four bases a baserunner must touch in succession to score a run...
, he threw and batted right-handed, stood 6'1" (185 cm) tall and weighed 180 pounds (82 kg).
The 2008
2008 in baseball
-Major League Baseball:* Regular Season Champions* World Series Champions – Philadelphia Phillies** American League Champions – Tampa Bay Rays** National League Champions – Philadelphia Phillies* Postseason – October 1 to October 29...
season marked Kotchman's 30th consecutive year 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...
manager. He began his career in 1979 at age 24 with the Auburn Redstars in the Short-Season Class A New York- Penn League. The Auburn franchise lacked a Player Development Contract and was designated a "co-op" team, receiving its players on loan from multiple major league organizations. After one season there, Kotchman became manager of teams affiliated with MLB organizations. He spent 1980-81 in the Detroit Tigers
Detroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
system, as skipper of the Bristol Tigers of the Rookie-level Appalachian League
Appalachian League
The Appalachian League is a Rookie-class minor league that began play in 1937 with one year of inactivity in 1956. From 1937 to 1962, it was a Class D League. Teams are located in the Appalachian regions of Virginia, North Carolina, West Virginia and Tennessee...
in 1980, then the Macon Peaches
Macon Peaches
The Macon Peaches was the predominant name of the American minor league baseball franchise representing Macon, Georgia, during the 20th century....
of the full-season Class A South Atlantic League
South Atlantic League
The South Atlantic League is a minor league baseball league based chiefly in the Southeastern United States, with the exception of three teams in the Mid-Atlantic States...
in 1981. He then spent 1982-83 as pilot of the Boston Red Sox
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
' Class A Florida State League
Florida State League
The Florida State League is a Class A-Advanced minor league baseball league operating in the state of Florida. They are one of three leagues currently operating in Class A-Advanced, the third highest of six classifications of minor leagues...
franchise, the Winter Haven Red Sox
Winter Haven Red Sox
The Winter Haven Red Sox is a former minor league baseball team, affiliated with the Boston Red Sox from 1969 to 1992.*Location: Winter Haven, FL*League: Florida State League *Affiliation: Boston Red Sox...
.
In 1984, he joined the Angels' farm system. From 1984-86, he was manager of their Class A California League
California League
The California League is a Class A Advanced minor league baseball league which operates throughout the state of California. Before 2002, it was classified as a "High-A" league, indicating its status as a Class A league with the highest level of competition within that classification, and the fifth...
farm clubs, the Redwood Pioneers
Redwood Pioneers
The Redwood Pioneers were a minor league baseball of California League. They were part of the California Angels farm system. The Pioneers played in Rohnert Park, California during the early 1980s . The team produced players such as Kirk McCaskill, Mark McLemore and Devon White to name a few...
, based in Rohnert Park, California
Rohnert Park, California
Rohnert Park is a city in Sonoma County, California, United States, located approximately north of San Francisco. The population at the 2010 United States Census was 40,971. It is an early planned city, modeled directly after Levittown, New York and Levittown, Pennsylvania. Rohnert Park is the...
, and the Palm Springs Angels
Palm Springs Angels
The Palm Springs Angels were a minor league baseball team of the Class A California League from 1986 to 1993 and an affiliate of the California Angels...
. Success there led to a promotion to the Angels' Triple-A Edmonton Trappers
Edmonton Trappers
The Edmonton Trappers were a minor league baseball team in the Pacific Coast League, ending with the 2004 season. Home games were played at Telus Field in downtown Edmonton, Alberta, Canada....
affiliate in the Pacific Coast League
Pacific Coast League
The Pacific Coast League is a minor-league baseball league operating in the Western, Midwestern and Southeastern United States. Along with the International League and the Mexican League, it is one of three leagues playing at the Triple-A level, which is one step below Major League Baseball.The...
, where he also spent three seasons (1987-89). In 1990, Kotchman assumed his current role, as a Florida-based scout and manager of the Angels' Short-Season Class A or Rookie-level teams in the Northwest League
Northwest League
The Northwest League of Professional Baseball is a Class A-Short Season minor baseball league. The league is the descendant of the Western International League which ran as a class B league from 1937-1951 and class A from 1952-1954...
and the Pioneer League. He skippered the Boise Hawks
Boise Hawks
The Boise Hawks are a minor league baseball team, located in Boise, Idaho. The team is currently a farm team for the Chicago Cubs and play in the Short-Season Class A Northwest League.-History:...
of the NWL for 11 seasons (1990-2000) during which time the Hawks never finished lower than second place and never compiled a losing record. Since 2001, he has managed in the Pioneer League with the Provo Angels (2001-04) and the Orem Owlz
Orem Owlz
The Orem Owlz are a minor league baseball farm team affiliated with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim baseball franchise. The team plays in Orem, Utah....
(since 2005). Through 2010, he had compiled a career managerial record of 1,623 victories and 1,363 defeats, a winning percentage of .544, with eight league championships, including Orem's '09 Pioneer League title.
In 2008 Kotchman was one of the inaugral inductees into the Professional Baseball Scouts Hall of Fame.
Personal
He is the father of current MLB player Casey KotchmanCasey Kotchman
Casey John Kotchman is an American Major League Baseball first baseman.-High school:He was on the 2001 national champion team of Seminole High School in Seminole, Florida.-Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim:...
and his daughter Christal Kotchman was on the College of Charleston softball team.