The Windy City ThunderBolts have announced that Rob Mackowiak has been hired as the team’s hitting coach. Mackowiak played in the major leagues from 2001 through 2008 with the Pirates, White Sox, Padres and Nationals.
“We’re lucky to have him,” ThunderBolts manager Mike Kashirsky said. “I’m excited. You’re getting a big league guy in here to help these hitters out. I’m excited to have him here and learn from him myself.”
Mackowiak was a .259 hitter over eight seasons in the majors, including his first five with the Pittsburgh Pirates. In 2004, he posted his best power numbers with 17 home runs and 75 RBI.
A native of Oak Lawn, Mackowiak got the chance to play for his hometown White Sox in 2006 and 2007. He hit a career-high.290 his first season in Chicago while playing four different positions for the Sox.
After spending the 2008 season in Washington, he finished his career in 2009 playing in 82 games for the Newark Bears of the Atlantic League. There, he hit .323 with 14 home runs. Following the season, he retired from professional baseball, making the decision to try getting into coaching. The Windy City hitting coach job will be Mackowiak’s first coaching experience in professional baseball.
