'Inside the Rays: One on One with Jim Hickey' to premiere Aug. 24
TAMPA, Fla. (August 22, 2014) -- On Sunday, Aug. 24 at 4:30 p.m., Sun Sports, the statewide television home of the Tampa Bay Rays, will debut a new episode of "Inside the Rays" upon conclusion of the Rays vs. Toronto Blue Jays game. Titled "One on One with Jim Hickey," this episode will feature an in-depth, all-access interview with Tampa Bay's pitching coach. Now in his eighth season with the Rays and the longest-tenured pitching coach in club history, Hickey sits down with host Todd Kalas to cover a range of topics, including the Rays philosophy on pitching, why he goes to the pitching mound and what he likes and doesn't like about the pitch count.
Following a successful career pitching in college for Texas Pan American, Hickey was drafted by his hometown Chicago White Sox in 1983 in the 13th round. Hickey spent eight years in the minor leagues until 1991 when he got the opportunity to be a pitching coach in the Houston Astros organization. Moving through different levels of minor league ball, he got his chance in the Major Leagues when he was named the interim pitching coach in 2004. He spent two-and-a-half years as the Astros' pitching coach working with a staff that included Roger Clemens, Brad Lidge, Andy Petite and Roy Oswalt. The Astros would go on to make it to the World Series in 2005.
Hickey was released by Houston in 2006 and was immediately contacted by then Rays Executive and Former Houston General Manager Gerry Hunsicker, who hired him as the Tampa Bay Rays triple A pitching coach. But just a few days later, Hickey was asked to join the Rays major league team after the departure of pitching coach Mike Butcher. Now in his eight year with the Rays, the team has had great success reaching 90 wins in five of the last six seasons. The pitching has excelled. The Rays lead the American League in strikeouts and feature the lowest opponents' batting average over the last seven seasons.
Re-Air Schedule:
-- Monday, Aug. 25 at 10:30 p.m.
-- Wednesday, Aug. 27 at 10:30 p.m.
-- Tuesday, Sept 2 at 10:30 p.m.
-- Wednesday, Sept. 3 at 10:30 p.m.
-- Friday, Sept. 5 at 10:30 p.m.
See all of this and more on the "Inside the Rays: One on One with Jim Hickey," and be sure to follow @SunSportsRays on twitter and visit FOXSportsFlorida.com for channel listings and exclusive Tampa Bay Rays coverage.
About FOX Sports Florida / FOX's Sun Sports
FOX Sports Florida & FOX's Sun Sports are the regional television homes of the Orlando Magic, Tampa Bay Rays, Miami Heat, Miami Marlins, Tampa Bay Lightning, Florida Panthers, Florida State University and the University of Florida. The regional sports networks are available in more than 6.5 million cable & satellite homes across the state. FOX Sports Florida and Sun Sports are committed to making a positive impact in the communities we serve by engaging our audiences and providing award winning TV and web coverage of Florida's hometown sports teams. For more information, channel listings and how you can get involved with FOX Sports Florida / Sun Sports, visit www.foxsportsflorida.com.
