The new hitting coach for the Detroit Tigers has some local Chippewa Valley ties.
Joe Vavra, was born in Chippewa Falls, attended Chi-Hi where he was named Captain and MVP his senior season in 1978. He then went on to play baseball at UW-Stout.
In 1982, he was drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers and played in AAA for a few years, but unfortunately never got into the Majors mainly due to injuries.
He got into coaching where he eventually made his way from Yakima, WA back to UW-Stout to the Minnesota Twins.
Cool note: Vavra was invited to the 2008 All-Star Game so he could pitch to Justin Morneau in the Home Run Derby. Morneau won the event.
He most recently was the Detroit Tigers quality control coach. He and his wife have three sons.
Photo Credit: Detroit Tigers