River Rat Player Profiles
47 Rob Barabe
| Full Name: Robert Dallas Barabe | Bats: Right |
| Date of Birth: June 15, 1973 | Throws: Not unless absolutely necessary |
| Birthplace: Ashland, Wisconsin | College: UW - River Falls |
| Nickname: Bear, Barabbas | Favorite Group: Manfred Mann's Earth Band |
Biography & Career Highlights
Robert Dallas Barabe, 1991 graduate of Hudson High School, and 1996 graduate of UW-River Falls, has participated in the St. Croix Valley Baseball League since the tender age of 19, originally playing second base with the Hudson Rebels. Following several competitive seasons with the Rebels, Barabe bolted the scene with fellow UWRF students John McGinley, Adam Bast, and Jason Bast to join the Spring Valley Hawks. In his few seasons with the Hawks, Barabe provided occasional defense at second base, DH'ing, and pinch hitting off their bench. Joining the Rats in 2000, Rob has taken his role as "professional hitter" to the extreme, eschewing infield practice and baserunning to concentrate solely on power hitting. Rob currently acts as a technical advisor, pinch hitter, bench coach, and assistant general manager for the River Rats when he isn't working at 3M with his lovely wife Carrie. (Or hanging out at Pudge's, or floating down the Apple River with spirits in hand...) Rob hopes to one day join the professional Golden Tee circuit and earn his money doing one of the things he truly loves.
As shown in the front page photo, R. Dallas enjoys some Southern Comfort and Coca-Cola during Denim Days at Pudge's in Hudson. Note the Johnny Cash memorial t-shirt, which Rob will be wearing at the Plum City Memorial Day tourney this year.