Former Red Raiders Set for MLB Postseason
October 01, 2019 | Baseball
Tomlin returns to postseason with Braves, three former Red Raiders to coach in postseason.
LUBBOCK, Texas –Former Texas Tech standout Josh Tomlin returns to the Major League Baseball Postseason with the Atlanta Braves in the National League Division Series on Thursday. Meanwhile, former Red Raiders Stubby Clapp, Joe Dillon and Josh Bard will be coaching in the 2019 MLB Postseason as it gets underway today.
The Braves begin the best-of-five series Thursday at 4 p.m. CT against the St. Louis Cardinals on TBS. Game two is slated for Friday at 3:30 p.m. with games three and four in St. Louis on Sunday. If necessary, game four will take place on Monday with a deciding game five back in Atlanta on Wednesday.
Tomlin, in his first season in Atlanta after nine in Cleveland, has helped the Braves to a 97-65 record in 2019 and a second-consecutive N.L. East division crown. The right-handed pitcher has appeared in 51 games out of the bullpen, sporting a 2-1 record and 3.74 ERA in 79.1 innings pitched.
Tomlin pitched for one season at Texas Tech in 2006 before being chosen in the 19th round of the 2006 MLB Draft by the Cleveland Indians. The 2017 season is his eighth year in the Majors with the club.
Clapp is in his first season as the first base coach for the St. Louis Cardinals. The Windsor, Ontario native played at Texas Tech was an ABCA All-Region performer at second base in his lone season as a Red Raider (1996). He led the team in doubles and triples that season for a club that won 49 games. His 97 runs scored is still tied for the most by a Red Raider in a season. A 36th-round pick by the St. Louis Cardinals, he made his MLB Debut in 2001.
Clapp appeared in 23 career games with the Cardinals in 2001 and ended his playing career in 2005-06. Prior to his call-up, he spent several years with the Memphis Redbirds (AAA) where he owns the career records in walks and triples. Beloved for his energy and backflips, he became known as the "Mayor of Memphis" and is the only Redbirds player to have his number retired by the team. Clapp was named Minor League Manager of the Year by Baseball America in 2017 as manager of the Redbirds, leading them to a franchise-best record (91-50). Under his direction, the Redbirds captured their first Triple-A Championship in 2018.
Dillon is in his second season with the Washington Nationals as assistant hitting coach. The Modesto, Calif., native is one of the most decorated players to come through Texas Tech. He played first base for Texas Tech from 1996-97, leading Tech to the 1997 Big 12 Championship. That year, he set a school record that still stands today with 33 home runs, earning All-American accolades and becoming one of only two Golden Spikes Award Finalists in Tech history. A seventh-round pick by the Kansas City Royals, he was inducted into the Texas Tech Hall of Fame in 2008.
Dillon enjoyed a 12-year professional career as a utility infielder, spending time in Tampa Bay, Milwaukee, Florida, Minnesota and Kansas City. He made his MLB debut in 2005 with the Florida Marlins after being named their Minor League Player of the Year in 2004. He is currently in his second stint as a coach with the Nationals after two seasons as the Miami Marlins' Minor League hitting coordinator.
Bard is in his second season as the bench coach for the New York Yankees after spending five seasons with the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Ithaca, New York native became possibly the top catcher in Tech history during his three-year career from 1997-99. He helped lead the Red Raiders through one of their most successful periods in school history as Tech claimed the inaugural Big 12 regular-season title in 1997 before winning the league's tournament crown a year later. Inducted into the Texas Tech Hall of Fame in 2016, Bard is one of just three players in school history to be named a first team All-American twice in his career (1998, 1999) and is second in Tech history with 43 career home runs.
Bard was drafted in the third round by the Colorado Rockies to mark the highest a Red Raider catcher has ever been selected. He played 10 seasons in the Major Leagues with stops in Cleveland, Boston, San Diego, Washington and Seattle before ending his career as part of the Dodgers organization.
Clapp's Cardinals won the National League Central with a 91-71 record and open the NLDS Thursday against the Atlanta Braves. Dillon and the Nationals finished second in the NL East at 93-69 and play the Milwaukee Brewers in the NL Wildcard matchup today at 7 p.m. Bard's Yankees won the AL East and own the third-best record overall at 103-59. The Yankees face the Minnesota Twins in the ALDS, starting Friday.
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