Former Pirate named hitting coach of ThunderBolts

The Windy City ThunderBolts announced today they have hired for major league utility player Rob Mackowiak as their new hitting coach.

Mackowiak was a 53rd round draft pick of the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1996. They don't even have 56 rounds in the draft anymore.

Mackowiak beat the odds and spent eight years in the major leagues, including five with the Pirates. In 2004, Mackowiak hit 17 home runs and drove in 75 runs for Pittsburgh.