KHQ Right Now - News and Weather for Spokane and North Idaho | Former Indian, MLB All-Star to coach pitchers in Spokane

Former Indian, MLB All-Star to coach pitchers in Spokane

SpokaneIndiansBaseball.com

SPOKANE, WA - The Spokane Indians and the Texas Rangers announced today that former Spokane Indians player and MLB All-Star Justin Thompson will serve as the pitching coach for the 2009 season.

Thompson made his MLB debut with the Detroit Tigers in 1996, and went on to play four seasons for the Tigers. In 1997, Thompson was a MLB American League All-Star selection at the age of 24 after winning 15 games with a 3.02 ERA.

Thompson was traded by the Tigers to the Rangers in an eight player trade after the 1999 season. After a series of injuries over six seasons with the Rangers, Thompson worked his way back to the Majors for 2 games in 2005. He spent the 2003 season in Spokane, appearing in 23 games while compiling a 1.24 ERA and a 2-0 record. Thompson was part of the stellar Indians bullpen in 2003 that led the club to the Northwest League Championship.

Thompson joins manager Tim Hulett Sr. and hitting coach Jason Hart to complete the Indians coaching staff. Hulett is returning to Spokane after leading the Indians to an 87-68 record the past two seasons, including the Northwest League Championship in 2008.

The Indians will kick off the 2009 season with Opening Night Fireworks and AAA Magnet Schedule Giveaway on June 20th at 6:30 p.m., presented by Les Schwab Tires, KREM 2-TV, 93.7 The Cat, and Sports Radio 1510 KGA. Season ticket and mini-season ticket packages are on sale now, along with single game tickets. For more information call (509) 343-OTTO (6886) or visit www.spokaneindiansbaseball.com.