RAILCATS' LONGEST TENURED PLAYER TRAVIS KERBER ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT
January 4, 2008 Contact: Tom Nichols at (219) 882-2255
Gary, Ind.—The 2007 Northern League Champion Gary SouthShore RailCats Professional Baseball Club today announced the retirement of right-handed pitcher Travis Kerber, who has accepted the position of Director of the White Sox/Bulls Training Academy in Tinley Park.
Kerber spent four seasons with the RailCats and is the club's career leader in games pitched (120). He is also the only player to spend all or parts of four different seasons with the RailCats. He joined the club in 2004 and has been a key contributor to two RailCats championships.
"It is a tough decision to say that your career is over," said Kerber. "It was an opportunity that was first presented last year and one that I could not let pass by."
In 2007, Kerber went 8-7 with a 4.75 earned run average in 18 starts. In 2006, he finished second in the Northern League in earned run average with a mark of 2.78, going 4-5 with nine saves in 41 games. He also pitched in the Northern League All-Star Game. Kerber led all Northern League relief pitchers in earned run average in 2005, going 5-1 with a 1.33 ERA in 34 games.
Kerber's biggest day with the RailCats may have come in 2005, when he tossed three perfect innings in the fifth and deciding game of the Northern League Championship Series as the RailCats held a one-run lead and defeated Fargo-Moorhead 2-1 to capture the league title.
"That was one of the highlights of my career", remembers Kerber. "To be in that situation, game five of the championship series, and for Greg (Tagert, RailCats manager) to have confidence to put me in the game in that situation and leave me in for three innings is something I will remember."
In a phone interview, Kerber requested that any information about his retirement also include a notation of his gratitude toward the RailCats.
"It was a pleasure to be part of the organization for four years," said Kerber. "They had two great general managers in Roger (Wexelberg) and Bill (Terlecky). I enjoyed playing there and saying hi to the fans."
Kerber was the last RailCats player to pre-date the arrival of Tagert as manager in 2005.
"Travis is a wonderful example of what is so good about independent professional baseball," said Tagert. "He played for the RailCats with the same excitement, work ethic and determination as he would have if he played down the road for the White Sox. He treated the game and his teammates, the front office, and the fans with the utmost respect. He was truly a favorite among everyone associated with the RailCats. Along the way, Travis made tremendous contributions to our team's success. We wish him the best of luck in his new endeavor."
Next week, Tagert expects to announce the addition of three players to complete a previous trade.
More Info: The Gary SouthShore RailCats are a Professional Minor League Baseball Team serving Northwest Indiana and
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