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Local
The Rays Hire Tampa Native
Golfers Head To Rogers Park For Black Heritage Festival Event
BY LEON B. CREWS Sentinel Staff Writer
Tampa native, Osborne “Ozzie” Timmons has been hired by the Tampa Bay Rays to be the hitting coach for their AAA team in Durham, North Carolina.
Timmons was raised in Progress Village, and gradu- ated from Brandon High School. He enrolled to attend the University of Tampa after high school, but put that on hold in 1991 when he went into the military.
Timmons played little league baseball growing up, and also in high school.
“My interest in baseball started with my brother. We’d go into the backyard, and all we had was a tennis ball and a stick, but we made it work.
“I’ve returned to the Uni- versity of Tampa to get my de- gree in physical education and at the same time, I’m helping out with their baseball team.”
Timmons played profes- sionally for 16 seasons, includ- ing the minor leagues, and finished his minor league ca- reer with 161 home runs and a .269 batting average. In the Major League, he finished with 177 homeruns and a .235 bat- ting average. His position was outfielder and pinch hitter.
Timmons said he quickly noticed how different it was
OZZIE TIMMONS
playing overseas.
“In Latin America, baseball
games are like parties. They at- tract more than 40,000 people at every game. By comparison, baseball in the United States is more laid back.
“At the end of my career, I was playing independent ball and I’ve always been interested in coaching the game.”
Timmons said to get the chance to coach for the Tampa Bay Rays, he made a few phone calls, and fortunately his timing was perfect.
“I aspire to one day coach in the Majors. I enjoy working with young people and teach- ing them how to conduct them- selves on and off the field.”
The father of three said his two sons are athletes, but nei- ther is involved in baseball.
Monday, January 18, 2016, was a bit chilly, but that didn’t keep true golfers off the course at Rogers Park for the Black Heritage Festival Golf Classic. The teams were all geared up for a day of fun. There were lots of gifts and prizes. Lunch was sponsored by Brocato’s Restaurant. (Photos by Frederick Harris)
Some members of the Black Heritage Festival Committee: Lester Johnson, Jackie Walker, Charnell Williams, Keisha Oats, Benita Maynor, Lenore Robertson, Ruby Jackson (committee co-chairper- son), Delores Williams, Connie Hicks, Pamela Lapaugh and Spencer Williams.
Penni Horton, Jesse Anderson, Lionel Bal- lard and Jerry Powell.
Young people on the course were: Mackenzie Mack, Evin Jenkins, Kevin Sims and Travis Wells.
Mike Washington, Miss Shondra “Queen” Key and Fred- die Moore are all set.
Jackie Walker, Felicia Bell and Caleb Williams took a golf cart through the course.
Paula Tucker, Darrell Robertson, Sabrina Nor- wood and Tye Manner.
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2016 FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY PAGE 13