PLAY BALL !
Cleburne Railroaders kick off 2024 season on May 9
STORY BY Monica Faram
The Cleburne Railroaders ’ new ownership team is already establishing a place for themselves in the community . They have made several big moves with players and management , as well as creating several new community initiatives before the 2024 season has even begun .
Opening day is May 9 at La Moderna Field , but plans are already in the works for an exciting season .
Railroaders Baseball Partners LLC assumed majority ownership of the Cleburne Railroaders in June , marking the team ’ s third ownership group since it ’ s revival in 2017 .
In November they named new coaches all around . Former Texas Ranger Pete Incaviglia was named club manager , while Rudy Jaramillo will serve as hitting coach and Brooks Carey as pitching coach .
“ The Railroaders are excited to welcome Pete Incaviglia , Rudy Jaramillo , and Brooks Carey to the team ’ s coaching staff ,” said Tom Vander Veen , managing member of Railroaders Baseball Partners LLC . “ This group carries an immense amount of experience that we know will be a huge benefit to our players as they move forward in their careers . We can ’ t wait to see them on the field in 2024 as they usher in a new era of Railroaders baseball .”
COACHING TEAM
Incaviglia has more than 35 years of experience in professional baseball , including a 12-year Major League career that began with the Texas Rangers ( 1986-90 ). He had a successful tenure with the Rangers to start his career , hitting 20-plus home runs in each of his five seasons with the club . He finished with 206 career home runs in his MLB tenure from 1986-98 .
“ I am incredibly grateful to be named
Photo by Cleburne Railroaders Cleburne Railroaders mascot Spike with young fans at a 2023 baseball game . Kids 12 and under are encouraged to sign up for the Kid ’ s Club presented by Chick-fil-A Cleburne TX . Kid ’ s Club members received free tickets to Sunday home games and enjoy additional perks such as post-game base running on Sundays , unlimited access to the new Fun Zone and more .
the next manager of the Cleburne Railroaders ,” Incaviglia said . “ I could not be more excited to return to the state of Texas , which has played an important role in my baseball career . I look forward to connecting with the Cleburne community and can ’ t wait to build on the success that the team has had in recent seasons .”
The 59-year-old joins the Railroaders after spending the last three seasons with the Tri-City ValleyCats of the Frontier League . The ValleyCats posted a 159-127 record under Incaviglia , the most wins by any manager in the team ’ s
12 Community Life