×

Big Red grad back in MLB

MOVING UP — Paul Hoover, pictured in Pittsburgh with Ray Saccoccia, his basketball coach during his Big Red days, has joined the coaching staff of the Tampa Bay Rays. Hoover was a baseball and basketball standout at Steubenville before moving on to Kent State. (Contributed)

ST. PETERSBURG — Steubenville native Paul Hoover has made it back to the “bigs.”

The 1994 Big Red graduate recently was named the new field coordinator for the Tampa Bay Rays, replacing new Minnesota Twins manager Rocco Baldelli.

For the past six years, Hoover, 42, was the Rays’ Minor League catching coordinator. In 2012, he managed the rookie-level Gulf Coast League team. He played 14 years, mostly in the minors at the Triple-A level, reaching the majors for short stints in seven seasons and appearing in 40 big league games, eight for the Rays.

Tampa Bay manager Kevin Cash said Hoover made a solid impression in the minors and will bring a lot to the staff.

“Just the work that he’s done with our catching corps,” Cash said. “The impact that he’s had, ultimately the buy-in he’s had, the relationships he’s built. The way he’s continued to develop catchers, help catchers get to the big leagues whether with us or somebody else.

“If you go ask any catcher Hoover has come across, there’s a pretty consistent message of how instrumental he has been with so many people catching wise. Now he’s going to get the opportunity to do that at the big-league level, not just with catchers but kind of evolving into coordinating our strategy on a daily basis and bringing a lot of things that sometimes can fall through the cracks.”

After graduating from Big Red, Hoover went on to Kent State. He started his pro career with the Rays after being a 23rd-round pick in 1997. He made his big-league debut in 2001. Hoover played briefly with the Rays again in 2002 but was released and started bouncing around, making it back to the majors with the Marlins from 2006-08 and the Phillies from 2009-10.

“Paul has gotten to where he is today because of a very strong work ethic and his ability to adapt to any situation with success,” said Fred Heatherington, who coached Hoover during his baseball playing days at Big Red. “He has made Steubenville High School, the community and most importantly, his parents very proud.

“His passion to play baseball and now coach definitely is a tribute to his great character as a person. We wish him nothing but the best on his journey.”

Hoover began his coaching career in 2012 with the Rays as manager of the rookie-level Gulf Coast League team, then moved to catching coordinator in 2013.

Hoover joins third base coach Rodney Linares as newcomers to Cash’s staff, with Matt Quatraro moving from third to bench coach to replace Charlie Montoyo, who was hired to manage the Blue Jays.

His exact responsibilities still are being worked out.

Hoover said he welcomed the opportunity: “I feel like I’ll be an asset and I can help in a lot of different ways.”

In addition to playing baseball, Hoover also was a three-year starter for Big Red’s basketball team, playing under coach Ray Saccoccia.

“Paul displayed leadership qualities early on and took on a leadership role for us as a sophomore starter,” Saccoccia said. “He worked hard in practice and demanded the same from his teammates. He was always up for the challenge because he knew he had prepared himself for success.

“I’ve always stayed in touch with Paul over the years and I know he will make an immediate impact in his new position. He is a quality person who is detailed oriented and has proven himself at every level. He loves Big Red and has never forgotten where he came from.

“His success comes as no surprise and he has the mind set to be happy but never satisfied. He is driven and it will be no surprise to see him become a manager someday. I’m very proud to have been a part of his story.”

Hoover is the son of Monte and Paula Hoover. He and his wife, Shannon, have two daughters Cameron, 12, and McKenna, 8.

NEWSLETTER

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *

Starting at $4.73/week.

Subscribe Today