* FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE *
The Cowlitz Black Bears are proud to announce the addition of Major League Baseball veteran Aaron Mathews to the assistant coaching staff for 2021.
A John Day, Oregon native, Mathews attended Grant Union High School before playing baseball at Oregon State University. He was drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays in 2004 and spent 7 years in the MLB with both the Blue Jays and the Florida Marlins. Following his retirement in 2012, Mathews coached OSU for two seasons and more recently worked for Toronto as a hitting coach and outfield coordinator before cutbacks related to the Covid pandemic.
“I can’t wait to coach with Aaron this summer,” said head coach Brian Burres. “Our players are going to benefit from his experience and his drive. We are pleased with our roster, and the community is in for a real treat at the ballpark.”
Mathews will join the Black Bears in Longview at the start of the season in June. He currently resides in Eastern Virginia with his wife Emily and two year old daughter Eleanor.
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