WICHITA, KS - The Wichita Wingnuts have announced that former shortstop Kevin Hooper will be their field manager for the 2009 season.
Hooper ends a 10-year playing career that included two seasons in the Major Leagues, four in AAA, and one as a member of the Wingnuts.
In 2008, Hooper won the American Association batting title by 40 points, hitting .373. Hooper went 34 for 35 in stolen bases, and was never actually thrown out by an opposing catcher on a steal attempt. The Lawrence, KS native started in the American Association All-Star Game in July, collecting two hits, and was also named to the league's postseason All-Star team. He was named the Wingnuts' team MVP prior to the final game of the season.
Hooper ended the season on a nine-game hitting streak, going 21 for his last 39 (.538) to pull ahead even further in the batting race. On May 28th vs. Sioux Falls, Hooper collected his 1,000th career hit with an infield single.
Defensively, Hooper led all shortstops with a .973 fielding percentage, and helped lead an infield defense that turned a league-best 109 double plays, and committed the league's fewest errors (92).
Hooper had a stellar four-year career with the Wichita State Shockers from 1996-1999, leaving the program with a lifetime .358 batting average. Almost 10 years later, he still ranks in the top 10 in Shocker history in runs (5th, 287), hits (7th, 315), doubles (7th, 58), and triples (9th, 17). In 1998, he had the third highest fielding percentage for a second baseman in Shockey history at .978.
Originally drafted by the Cleveland Indians in the 49th round in 1998, Hooper remained at Wichita State for his senior season and was then drafted by the Florida Marlins in the 8th round in 1999. Hooper made it to AAA by 2002, and went on to win back-to-back International League (AAA) Championships with the Toledo Mud Hens in 2005 and 2006. While playing with the Calgary Vipers in 2002, Hooper assembled a 31-game hitting streak (48-127, .378). In 2005 while with Toledo, Hooper had the distinction of playing one inning at every position on the final day of the season, including earning the save on the mound with a perfect ninth inning.
Hooper made it to the Major Leagues in 2005 with the Detroit Tigers, and earned his first career Major League hit on July 21st with a single off of Minnesota Twins' veteran pitcher Terry Mulholland. Hooper earned another callup with the Tigers in 2006.
Pitching coach Luke Robertson and hitting coach Chris Mileham will remain with the club under Hooper.
Wichita also announced their 2009 schedule, which begins on Thursday May 14th vs. Lincoln. The American Association playoff format remains intact, with the first and second half winners from each division playing each other in a best-of-five series. The winners of each divisional series advance to the best-of-five championship series. The Wingnuts feature 25 home dates in the first half, and 23 home dates in the second half. The home schedule also includes six Friday and six Saturday home games. The Wingnuts will play on the road from July 31st-August 16 while the 75th annual National Baseball Congress World Series takes place at Lawrence-Dumont Stadium.
The Wingnuts went 45-50 in their inaugural season, which included a 26-21 second-place finish in the first half. For information regarding season ticket packages and group outings, call the Wingnuts office at 264-4625.
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