Cleburne
Railroaders
Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic , the Cleburne Railroaders
were forced to sit out the 2020 season as the American Association of Independent Professional Baseball condensed its season into a six-team league with only 60 games . The Railroaders will be back in 2021 , looking to build off what was a positive 2019 campaign .
Even though Cleburne ’ s 2020 season on the field was canceled , the Railroaders remained as active as ever in the community and in other news .
The Railroaders launched the Home Plate Project , a food drive to help “ Field the Needs ” of Johnson County during the trying times for many families whose lives have been impacted by the coronavirus .
Since May 2020 , the Railroaders have held food drives every other weekend , donating food to those in need .
In September 2020 , Major League Baseball announced it had named the American Association as a “ partner league ” of MLB , as the two leagues will collaborate on initiatives to provide organized baseball to communities throughout the United States .
The Times-Review named President John Junker the 2020 Man of the Year for his part in creating the program .
In December 2020 , the ’ Roaders announced former MLB pitcher
Mike Jeffcoat as the club ’ s new field manager . Jeffcoat previously served as Cleburne ’ s pitching coach in the 2019 season , helping the Railroader pitching staff to its best season . Jeffcoat ’ s head coaching résumé includes more than 500 career victories as Texas Wesleyan ’ s head coach in the 2000s .
“ I feel incredibly humbled and blessed that the Railroaders organization has given me this opportunity ,” Jeffcoat said . “ I especially want to thank Co-Owner Daryn Eudaly , President John Junker and General Manager Josh Robertson for their faith in me to lead this ball club moving forward . I ’ m excited to get back on the diamond at The Depot and continue to build off the tremendous momentum we had in 2019 .”
Jeffcoat brings a wealth of experience to the Railroaders as both a player and coach .
“ There ’ s no question in my mind that Mike is the perfect fit to lead us into the next era of Railroaders baseball ,” Junker said . “ His ties to the Johnson County community , combined with experience at the game ’ s highest level and a familiarity with many of our returning players , made him the ideal candidate for this position . I look forward to watching him work together with the rest of our staff to build the next great Railroaders team .”
18 Cleburne This is Texas